Hockey players tape their hockey stick blades to have better control of the hockey puck. Many players have their own preferred methods to stick taping.
Selecting Tape
To tape your stick, you must have hockey tape. This tape is cloth-based, sticky on one side and can be found in any hockey shop and most general sporting goods stores. Do not use electrical tape, duct tape, packing tape or any other kind of tape.
While it comes in multiple colors, black tape is the most often preferred color for the blade of the stick because it hides the black puck better than white tape.
For ball hockey or inline hockey, it is not recommended to use any hockey tape on the stick because it drags a lot on the ground, hindering control.
Protecting the Blade
Tear a strip of tape the length of the portion of your blade you want to cover. Place this strip along the bottom of the blade for added protection against cracking.
For best control and coverage, it is recommended to tape the blade nearly all the way from heel to toe. This helps you control the puck well even if the puck is not in the center sweet spot in the blade; plus, your blade is thoroughly protected.
Taping heel-to-toe will provide a little more friction to the puck, creating more spin and a slightly more powerful shot as the puck rolls off the blade. It will also keep the tape intact longer as there is slightly less friction on the edges of the tape strands.
The start point of your taping should be on the backhand side of the blade and somewhere up near the top of the blade. This prevents the tape from unraveling quickly from use.
The end point should also be on the back hand near the top of the blade to prevent unraveling.
Make sure to pull the tape tight and try to avoid leaving any gaps or air pockets. You also don’t want to overlap too much as this is a waste of tape.
With your hand smooth out any air pockets or raised tape to make sure the tape is stuck well on the blade.
Waxing the Tape
Many ice hockey players use wax to protect their tape from water damage. Hockey players often use candle wax, although some hockey stores sell stick wax.
To wax your tape job, rub the dry candle/piece of wax all over the taped portion of the blade in the direction the tape runs. This will smooth the tape out and coat it with water-repelling wax. If you are going the wrong direction, you will find yourself raising strands of tape rather than flattening and smoothing it.
Remember to wax the bottom of your blade.
Ball Hockey and Inline Hockey
Ball hockey, inline and even some ice hockey players may prefer to cut strips of tape and place them across the length of the blades on the forehand and backhand sides, leaving the bottom of the blade exposed so the blade can glide smoothly on the surface. Use adhesive spray to make these strips stick.
Re-taping the Blade
Re-taping will need to be done regularly. Some hockey players tape their stick every game and others after several games. It depends on your preference as well as the level of tape damage and exposure of the blade.
About this Author
A.J. Gold has recently begun his career in freelance journalism. Gold has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and his major was entrepreneurship.
