How to Wrap a Hockey Stick With Hockey Tape

The act of wrapping the hockey stick in hockey tape serves a few purposes to the player. It protects and prolongs the life of the blade, aids in “gripping” the puck while stickhandling and creates a more textured surface on the shaft for ease of grip. Taping the stick may seem like a simple act and of no real significance; in reality, an improperly taped stick may hinder shots and the player’s ability to correctly handle the puck during game situations.

Things You'll Need

  • Roll of cloth hockey tape (color optional)
  • White wax candle (optional)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Invert the stick so that you’re facing the open curve of the blade and the butt end is furthest away from you. Unravel a small, half-inch section of tape and tape it on the outer curve of the blade not facing you, at the farthest point away from you.

    • 2

      Start at the blade tip and begin taping the blade by pulling the tape roll taut, then coiling the tape around the blade. Continue this wrapping process, working your way inward toward the “heel”, the part of the stick where the blade meets the shaft.

    • 3

      Wrap the tape in tight, overlapping coils. Overlap each coil about a half-inch as you work. Once done, rip away the tape roll and press firmly on the taped section to ensure a tight fit. If desired, rub the candle over the tape to give the blade a slight wax coating that will prolong the life of the blade even longer by effectively "waterproofing" the tape.

    • 4

      Hold the stick in your hands as you normally would in a game situation. Note the placement of your hands on the shaft; wrap each of these hand placements in tape as you did for the blade (ignore using the wax, though).

    • 5

      Hold the stick vertically and place a small tab of tape from the roll on the butt end of the shaft. Pull the roll taut and coil the roll around the end of the stick several times to create a small knob on the stick, which allows for picking up the stick easier while wearing hockey gloves.