The most common is a simple, classic butt end, as seen here covered in grip tape: Pretty straightforward to create, youll apply numerous layers (to your preferred thickness) of cloth tape at the very top of the butt end to create a knob. Running down the shaft underneath the knob, to your desired length, will be 1-2 layers of tape. Many new players are just learning the nuances of how to tape a hockey stick without it looking like David Pastrnaks: Others are looking to refine their taping skills, possibly discover a new method or design, and perfect their connection from theirhands through their stick and to the puck. The 5-strand technique is not common but can help you feel the puck better when handling. Lizard Skins grip tape is made of Durasoft Polymer and is ideal for taping the handle of your hockey stick. The candy cane method is referring to the shaft of your stick. Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning at no cost to you, Honest Hockey could earn a commission to keep the site running. Okay, so years ago I wrote an article about taping hockey sticks and when to do it. Over the past few years, something as simple as hockey tape has gotten really convoluted. Players wrap sections of their sticks based on personal preferences and how taping benefits their game. This helps you keep possession of the puck and create more friction when stick handling. Up to 50% less than retail! As a hockey player, learning how to tape a hockey stick is a rite of passage. A new tape job could be a good luck charm for you and if it works, you may find others incorporating your idea into their tape jobs. Regardless of where you start, its recommended to end at the bottom so your top hand isnt constantly rubbing and potentially unravelingyour butt end if your tape job is ended and cut at the top. I also think it's important to mention that the tape job on a hockey stick will NOT increase the velocity of your shot. Find the best hockey puck here. Add extra grip by wrapping hockey tape down the handle under the knob. Essentially, you're giving the puck a push to spin faster. -- There's no "right" way to tape a hockey stick. As you take a shot and the puck rolls off the blade, the puck will begin to rise off the ice quicker, and thus an open face blade pattern will help you make top-shelf shots. Well, it IS you cause, well, you're doing it wrongbut the forces of physics are the reasons it's not working as well as you'd like it to. Honest Hockey is a website dedicated to bringing you the best information and resources to improve your hockey game. Nowadays, most hockey sticks come in grip and non-grip versions, therefore adding some form of gripto the shaft isnt all that widespread. A moderate curve depth (1/2) is the most popular and will help improve puck control, improve the ability to lift the puck easier (compared to slight), all while still having a good backhand. Regardless, pick a starting point your heel or your toe and begin working your way to the other end of the blade. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no cost to you. FIND NOW >>, America's Largest Hockey Retailer! *Regardless of the style of butt end you prefer, make sure the top of your stick is covered with a plastic end cap or a couple layers of cloth tape to reduce the risk of injury. New & Rare - Easton P3 GRIP EQ50 HALL 85 GRIP LH Hockey Stick Item Information Condition: NewNew Price: US $147.89 No Interest if paid in full in 6 mo on $99+* Buy It Now New & Rare - Easton P3 GRIP EQ50 HALL 85 GRIP LH Hockey Stick Sign in to check out Check out as guest Add to cart Best Offer: Make offer Add to Watchlist Oops! It's just increasing the velocity of the spin -- which is the yellow arrow. Once youve finished your tape job, use the side of a puck to flatten all creases and edges. We often finish off these tape wraps with clear hockey tape, which alleviates friction on the palms of your hockey gloves and saves them from wearing out. Remember to clean your blade of any sticky residue before retaping. And on the topic of fashion statements -- can people stop using coloured tape on their blades? Now, something I've noticed over the past few years is that even with the "generic" tape, there are a couple variations available now. You can go from the heel to the toe, or toe to the heel. Start there so you can have it perfectly centered. This tape is thinner than the cloth style for an enhanced feel and comes with a coarse, abrasive grip. The un-taped toe of the stick is a lot like an outfield warning track in baseball. Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm ET | Saturday: 9am-6pm ET | Sunday: 9am-6pm ET. Shipping: US $32.05 Expedited Shipping. I found it a little odd but the premise was that the edge made it easier to tear easier by hand. A little smaller and a littler heavierbut they're both discs and the concept is exactly the same. When you're a world class talent, as Pastrnak is, the tape job doesn't offer anything meaningful in return. A classic tape job will leave a little bit of the heel and toe exposed but covers the middle 90% of the stick blade. This is typically done in one of two ways: with or without a pair of scissors. There have been lots of studies related to electrical tapes, professional hockey tapes, etc. Although, there are always exceptions to the rule. You should use black hockey tape if you want to hide the puck from defenders and goalies. Thanks for signing up - please check your mobile phone to confirm subscription. 4.5 (2) 4.5 out of 5 stars. How many people out there tape the entire toe of the stick? Itll require more retaping but theres nothing quite like the texture of a fresh natural tape job. How do you do your knob? Customer Service Hours are: Like Phil Kessel, normal 1 wide white cloth tape down the shaft works well. Let me know -- I love the feedback from all angles! Start at the bottom, whether thats the middle or the whole thing. There can be a lot to learn when it comes to Hockey Stick Curves, so stop in to any one of our MonkeySports stores across the United States, where you can try out various curves in the shooting rooms! Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. With an exposed heel, you can get more feel when youre stickhandling. And our Low-Price Guarantee promises the most competitive prices available. View We wish we didnt have to say this, DO NOT cover your entire shaft with hockey tape unless you prefer to look like a complete. As we all know, hockey sticks are hockey players most prized possession. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. I've got a query in to him to ask his reasons since I'm not entirely sure of his reasoning but he hasn't gotten back to me yet. Step 2: Start at the top - Begin wrapping the tape around the top of the stick, working your way down towards the blade. So, the above diagram is essentially the same as the previous one except this one uses a right-handed shot and I added some tape to the blade. Stand a quarter up and see if it fits inside the curve of the blade. For perspective, a perfectly flat blade has a zero depth. Youll also be able to find clear shinguard tape and cohesive soft-grip tape by Comp O Stik. Need Help? A puck flipping around like that looks like a beachball to even the youngest goaltender. Make the knob as big or as small as you prefer. See our disclaimer. Still reading? Even when aided by my teeth, it still folds over and sticks to itself creating a ton of wasted tape each time I try it. Rutsch Hockey Copyright 2023 - All Rights Reserved. It's just not a great idea. Although a knob at the top of a hockey sticks butt end is most common, some players prefer an even thickness of the handle from top to bottom whether thats 1 or more layers of tape consistent throughout. Stretch grip stick tape is also available. Hockey Stick Tape. Here is a little something that the HockeyStickMan put together to help you understand the different types of patterns on the market: Quick Notes: Not sure? Its quite durable and remains in place while wet. Pick a spot on your blade. Shop our full selection of products, enjoy cheaper shipping, and skip customs and brokerage. Well, the tape job can generate even more spin on the puckbut you have to tape it in the correct direction to get the full effect. More often than not, they don't whiff. Now cover the spiral wind with tape, and there you have it: a basic do-it-yourself grip with a rib. Renfrew Pro Hockey Stick Tape, English, Hockey Diversity Alliance Renfrew Pro Hockey Stick Tape, English, . Lots of players also rub a hockey puck back and forth along the blade, which keeps water and ice from sticking to the tape; the black scuff marks may also help hide the puck from the goalie, if you're using white tape. We discuss all of this in more detail below. When you make pass or shoot a puck, if done correctly, the puck contact should start near the heel of the blade and make its way towards the toe before firing off in the direction you're sending it. Your email address will not be published. To remove hockey stick tape, start at the area that has frayed. Another option is grip tape, which is often used for other sports like tennis and baseball. If you taped your stick the other way, from toe to heel, the notches don't exist. Youll find hockey stick tape is available in a range of colors, patterns, widths, and lengths as well as materials. His name is Brad Smyth and while he never quite established himself as an NHL regular, he had some utterly ridiculous point totals in the American Hockey League while being a veteran presence for guys you probably have heard of like Jason Spezza and Mike Cammalleri. and even though some of them are made of materials such as Polyethylene, they do not pose a risk for our health and can be used frequently. $4.97. The fact is, the tape on your hockey stick is NOT going to make your child a better hockey player. So did Mario Lemieux. The more notches, the faster it spins, the more accurate your shots and passes are. The Lie of a Hockey Stick refers to the angle that your stick is at when the bottom of your blade is flat on the ice. Hockey Tape - Multipurpose Cloth Tape Roll for Ice & Roller Hockey Stick, Blade & Handle protector - Lacrosse Baseball Bat tape- Sports Gifts, Accessories, Equipment, Gear - Wire Management Tapes 637 200+ viewed in past week $899 FREE delivery Renfrew Pro Skull & Crossbone Patterned Cloth Hockey Tape 30 Save 11% $749$8.39 Lowest price in 30 days Once you get there, continue to tape slightly past the toe to create a square shape. This stark contrast will help your peripheral vision see the puck better out of the corner of your eye. Privacy Policy. For those looking for extra texture and grip down the shaft of their hockey stick, a simple candy cane spiral of cloth tape does the trick. If you've ever thrown a frisbee, the secret to a straight and powerful toss is the wrist flick just before you release the disc. Adding a squared knob, a rounded knob, ribs or candy cane tape job are great ways to keep a firm handle on your stick. Players enhance the butt end with tape, building a knob that conforms to their specific grip. DO NOT have inconsistent spacing on your blade unless youre aiming for the Pastrnak look. The company makes traditional black and white cloth stick tape along with other colors as well as clear, water-resistant shin pad tape. Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm ET | Saturday: 9am-6pm ET | Sunday: 9am-6pm ET. Grab your stick and make sure its free from any plastic wrap and stickers (in case its new) or any tape from a previous tape job. Not because I expect them to make it to the NHL but because I know the rigorous youth hockey experience will serve them well in the future. Science is behind that That pattern is a little like the treads on a car's tire. Comment. Next, select a roll of hockey tape from the sports store. Hockey tape isnt the cheapest thing in the world, but more importantly, its inconvenient to have to re-tape constantly. Hockey Stick Tape - 1.5" Wide Black. NHL players use white tape because it helps them to see the puck better when they have possession. We're trying to generate a horizontal spin which is caused by a frictional force and the combination of the markings on the edges of the puck and the direction of the tape job are what elevate it to an even stronger level. If youre just learning to tape your stick, you may experience a few rounds of trial and error before you figure it out. Learning how to tape a hockey stick will stay with you forever and can evolve over time. Shoot tiny frisbeesnot beach balls. It can be used on your knob to add extra grip and prolong the life of your gloves. Yes, you should tape your hockey stick to ensure you get the best puck control with your blade. There's a reason no one at the professional level uses it. This tape is available in a wide variety of colors and is wider than the traditional adhesive tacky tape. As you have probably heard many times already, keep your head up. Taping the shaft is easier when youre sitting down, but you dont have to. Using grip tape will add control and accuracy to your shots and passes. Each roll is 25 yards in length and an inch in width with 1.5-inch, 15-yard rolls available as well. This hockey tape also comes in 1-inch and 1.5-inch thickness. In an interview with Sportsnet, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin said: I change it. Taping protects the blade from wear and tear, provides a better grip on the stick shaft, and allows you to customize the knob size to fit your hand. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Taping your hockey stick will also increase its durability and thus quality stick tape should be seen as an investment that will save you money rather than an expense. Sidney Crosby uses black tape too. This tape can be used for: taping the stick handle to allow for a better grip taping the stick blade to protect it from wearing and provide a grip on the puck Bauer introduced a cutout blade in the revolutionary Sling hockey stick, leaving players wondering how to tape it. Bust out your little scissors and trim it up all nice. Sign up for our newsletter today. It's hard to tell, but the puck really does grab on to the blade of the stick. Hockey tape is now considered to be essential hockey equipment for NHL players and there are several different types on the market including cloth and grip tapes to suit your personal preference. - The old Sakic (Blade 1) is now by far the most popular pattern on the market. 1) Gather The Necessary Tools And Materials, 3) Cut A Thin Strip Of Tape And Apply It To The Bottom Of The Blade, 4) Start At The Toe Or The Heel Of The Blade, How To Tape A Hockey Stick Handle Or Butt End, To Build Up The Knob, Start With A Napkin, Try To Use As Little Tape As Possible To Get The Grip You Want, How To Wrap A Hockey Stick Or Taping The Shaft. 6) CCM JetSpeed FT5 Pro Stick. Our made to order Pro-Blade Custom Patterned Cloth Tape is the same great quality as our Pro-Blade Stick Tape. Hockey Stick Blade Curve & Pattern Chart: Which Lie is Right for You? Grip tape is very popular with NHL players. This tape is designed specifically for hockey sticks and provides a durable, tacky grip. Simple as that. Warm water and mild dish soap remove leftover adhesive as does rubbing your blade on the rubber floors in the locker room. Once youve reached your desired length, then use sharp scissors to cut. The Ovechkin Curve (formerly Bauers popular P92 curve) is now a P88 curve. This can be done either heel-to-toe or toe-to-heel, but you already know what my suggestion on that is. There are two schools of thought when it comes to whether you should use white or black stick tape: If youre a beginner, then I would suggest #1. Wrapping tape in specific patterns around specific sections of a hockey stick is an effective way for players to prepare for action. It's spinning. This rather tame Hockey Stick Curve is a great option for stickhandling and taking both forehand and backhand shots. New. Use hockey tape to add grip to your sticks handle, shaft, and blade. As you progress, you can then experiment with other methods. Check other stores. For example, length, weight, and flex, but perhaps the most important quality of an Ice Hockey Stick will be the Hockey Stick Curve or Hockey Stick Pattern.