The Importance of Hand Wrap in Muay Thai
Muay Thai, just like other combat sports, requires intense training and strict attention to form. One of the most important parts of it is hand wrap, which is used to protect the 27 bones in your hands, including your knuckles, wrists, and palms. Hand wrap provides protection and padding for your hands so you can avoid injuries while striking or blocking. It also helps provide stability by giving your fists support during punching and kicking motions. Hand wrap ensures that you have the proper grip on the gloves which leads to more power and accuracy when striking an opponent. Without proper hand wrapping techniques, it’s much easier to suffer from broken bones in your hands or wrist injuries due to incorrect form during training or bouts.
Different Types of Hand Wrap
There are several different types of wraps available, and each type offers its own set of benefits depending on the fighter’s needs and preferences. No matter which type you choose, it’s important to make sure it fits snugly around your hands so that you have full range of motion when punching.
Elastic Bandage Wraps
Considered to be the most common type of hand wrap, they are often referred to as the Mexican style bandage. These bandages are the most popular choice among fighters because they are easy to apply and provide excellent support without being overly bulky. Due to its superior grip and comfort. It is made from a stretchy fabric, these bandages fit perfectly to your hands. Also, more breathable than the other types making them comfortable during training or combat.
Reusable cloth
Another nak muays favorite, these cotton wraps offer a tighter fit than elastic one. These wraps are perfect for training as they are durable and can be washed over and over. However, they can be a bit more difficult to put on correctly.
Gauze and tape wraps
Typically used by more experienced Muay Thai fighters, these wraps are durable yet very light. They offer extra protection for the hands during particularly intense training sessions or fights. Unfortunately, it is quite hard to wrap them properly by yourself and they are also non-reusable.
Cleaning Your Wraps
To clean them, you should first remove any debris or dirt from the wraps and then hand-wash them with a mild soap and warm water. Rinse off any excess soap and hang dry to avoid damage caused by heat drying. You should also air them out after each use to keep them fresh. If they get extra dirty, you can also put them in a mesh laundry bag and wash them in a washing machine. While keeping your wraps clean is important, it’s also essential to keep them properly maintained as well. Inspect them regularly for signs of wear or tear, and replace as needed. Proper care will help extend the life of your hand wraps so that you can continue on with your training safely and effectively.
Muay Thai Hand Wrap VS Boxing Hand Wrap
Boxing hand wraps are often made of elastic or polyester materials. They provide support and stability to the boxer and help keep the bones, muscles and tendons in the hand and wrist protected from injury during sparring or competition. Nonetheless, while these wraps provide a snug fit around the knuckles, and part of the wrist, there are some areas of the hands that would be exposed to potential injury. Regardless, the most important quality of a boxing hand wrap is its flexibility so it can move with the boxer’s movements without restricting them. Although, the thickness of the wrap should be taken into consideration as it provides more cushion but it also limits mobility.
When compared to boxing wraps, Muay Thai hand wraps provide an increased level of support and protection that can’t be achieved by simply wearing gloves alone. The unique combination of stretchy material with strong Velcro straps at the end of the wrap, keeps the hands secure while also allowing for greater maneuverability. Additionally, the extra padding on the knuckles provides additional cushioning for powerful strikes. They are used to protect your knuckles from injury, provide shock absorption and ensure that the hands remain tightly together when making contact with an opponent. Moreover, they provide a more secure fit as they wrap around your wrist, knuckles and palm area, allowing fighters to throw stronger punches with greater accuracy.
The proper way to wrap your hands for Muay Thai
It is important to learn how to wrap your hands properly, as it can be the difference between an injury-free and painful fight. As a rule of thumb, the length of the wrap should be enough that it goes around your wrist, then your thumb and base of your thumb, and finally around your pinky.
To ensure a secure and comfortable wrap, there are several steps to follow.
- Begin by placing the loop around your thumb.
- Wrap at least three times around your wrist creating a fist with your hand as you do.
- Then, wrap around your thumb as well as your wrist. Make sure that your wrist is kept straight and that your fingers are pointing up.
- Make sure to securely wrap around your knuckles before wrapping the material around your fingers starting with the pinky and ring fingers.
- Next, move on to wrapping between each finger and wrap around your hands while you do so.
- Wrap at least 4 -5 times across the top of your hands and under your wrist.
- Finally, go around your wrist with the remaining wrap and finish it by securing the Velcro closure around your wrists to finish up.
Common Mistakes When Using Hand Wraps
Wrapping mistakes are common, especially among beginners. Improperly wrapping your hands can lead to injury and should be avoided. One of the most basic mistakes is not wrapping the wrists properly. If you don’t wrap your wrist firmly enough, you may not have the necessary stability when throwing a punch. Moreover, it can lead to a lack of support for the wrist joint which can cause pain and discomfort during training. Another mistake is not wrapping around the knuckles enough. This can leave them exposed and vulnerable to bruising and cuts. Additionally, some people use too much padding or wrap too tightly which can restrict movement or cause discomfort as well.
Taking the time to learn proper hand wrapping technique and avoiding these common mistakes will help ensure that your Muay Thai training is safe and effective. When done properly, hand wraps will give a great amount of support for your wrists and hands while you are punching or blocking during a fight. It also helps to keep your hands dry and absorb sweat which can reduce slipping on the handlebars during combat. Be sure that your wraps are secure and if necessary, you may want to add a bit of tape or adhesive for extra protection. Learning how to properly wrap your hands can give you peace of mind during intense bouts in the ring and help prevent serious injury from occurring.
