Thursday, January 12, 2012

Wrapping Tape Around Hands in Boxing


In the days of bare-knuckle boxing, boxers didn't tape their hands or wear boxing gloves. They fought with their bare fists, using no padding or protection. Some of the punches they used had to be done with less force. Others had to be targeted to different areas of the body so they wouldn't hurt their own hands. The style of punching used in modern boxing is different and could easily result in a broken bone if the hands were not taped.
Bare-Knuckle Punching Vs. Modern Punching
The prize fighters of the bare-knuckle era preferred to target the solar plexus with the straight right punch. This punch can be very effective, but it does not risk harm to the punching hand. Modern boxers use the same punch to target the face. Bare-knuckle boxers used only the hook as a short-distance tactic, but modern boxers throw the hook from farther out. Bare-knuckle boxers never used the overhand right, but they did use a variety of strikes that are no longer used. The reason for these changes is not that boxing has become more effective than it used to be, but that the use of hand wraps and boxing gloves makes it
The Boxer's Fracture
The human hand contains many small and fragile bones and joints, and a punch delivered with less than perfect accuracy can easily cause one of these bones or joints to move in the wrong way, resulting in what is known as a "boxer's fracture." This can refer to a fracture of the metacarpal bone, the little finger or the ring finger. It is more common among experienced fighters than beginners, because beginners often don't punch hard enough to put themselves at risk for this injury. Boxers tape their hands in order to keep the bones and joints from moving in different directions, reducing the risk of a boxer's fracture.
Wrapping the Hand
There are a number of ways to wrap the hand for a boxing workout. Some of them involve putting on tape first, followed by the hand wrap. Others use only the hand wrap, which looks like a piece of white tape or bandage but isn't sticky like tape. The hand wrap is first wrapped around the wrist, and then the hand and lower part of the fingers. A proper hand wrap will force your fist to align with your wrist for a correct punch. It will also keep your bones from moving in different directions when the punch lands. This will make an injury to your hand much less likely, and it will also allow you to hit harder.
Boxing and Self-defense
A lot of people study boxing in order to learn how to defend themselves. However, some of the most powerful techniques of modern boxing may very likely result in a broken hand if you didn't have hand wraps and boxing gloves on. That is why boxers tape their hands. If you ever need to use your boxing skills for self-defense, take the example of the bare-knuckle fighters and modify the way you punch. Don't try to hit hard, bony surfaces such as the opponent's head. Don't use long-range hooks, straight rights to the face or strong jabs. Instead, concentrate on shorter hooks and rights to the body. Use the jab to provoke the opponent into moving. Put less emphasis on the big, knockout punch and target the softer areas of the body to protect your hands.

 
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