four If you just add hockey it should come right up. Whether science or superstition, stick taping is an integral part of hockey. function() { More tape added to the shaft improves the players grip on the stick, which makes it easier to control the puck. Copyright 2022 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes. I have seen a few beer leaguers using duct tape to tape their knob. The tape provides a nice cushion in receiving the puck when passed too. However, a cloth-based tape is considered the best because it provides enough room to wrap your stick however you want to. Its technically called grip tape but there are many different applications. There are 2 widths, 1 inch and 1.5 inches (1.5 inch is also known as goalie tape) seen below: Grip Tape You need to ensure that you invest in good quality hockey tapes, this would not only protect your blade but would also save you from having to buy a new one every other minute. The NHL has made hockey tapes essential equipment and this has made it a must-have for every hockey player. Are you looking to turn your rink into a full-fledged hockey arena? After taping their stick, some players add a coat of wax or mink oil to the taped stick. Polyurethane tape or poly tape or more commonly known as shin pad tape. formId: '620ead33d328ec5152cf088e', The ideal hockey tape should be 11.5 thick and can be 20 yards long or more. Some players prefer to use thick width tape as they can spread it out, but it gives them a better feel for the puck. With an adhesive only on one side of the backing cloth it is much lighter than friction tape which appealed to many hockey players. With the varieties on the market, you may find it a bit difficult to choose the best hockey tape. When looking at the standings it is always helpful to know how many games a team plays in a season. Without tape, these plays would be much more difficult to make. Players choose the amount of tape and colour that is to their liking. Lastly, taping a hockey stick can change the control and interaction between the stick and the puck. Could you get by without tape on a stick? (In particular, the soft spongy grip tape for sports handles). On the website ESPN the Magazine, retired professional ice hockey player Brian Rolston says that modern fiberglass hockey-stick blades are slippery and they do not make good contact with the puck. I recommend sticking with a tape from the above list. Especially if the hockey stick is lying flat on the ice! Taping the hockey stick from heel to toe helps the player with shot and passes accuracy. Plus the serrated edges make it easy to tear to length so you can use it and then get back in the game. It has adhesive on one side and is sold in rolls. First, players may tape their stick to protect it from wear, tear, and damage. Then check out KwikRink Synthetic Ice. After a brief stint as a junior college hockey player, Noah decided to dedicate his free time to helping others with their winter sports needs. The middle of the stick is not taped, because the bottom hand needs to be able to slide up and down the shaft as part of stick-handling and shooting. Players may differ on how much tape to use, the amount of blade to cover, or the width of the tape. Some players prefer to tape their blade every time before they skate, while others skate 10+ times before they re-tape it. How Much Do NHL Referees Travel? Often a player will use tape to create a knob at the end of the shaft. In Hockey Made Easy: Instructional Manual, author John Shorey recommends taping hockey-stick blades with hockey tape or black cloth friction tape. Pro hockey players still refer to this as "Gordie Howe tape" because he used it. Lets find out! One of a hockey players favourite things to do before a game is to tape their hockey stick. Tape is used on the butt-end of the stick for better grip with the top hand. No Problem. Pro tip: you can also use medical self adherent tape instead. Electrical tape is similar to polyurethane tape but much thinner and more flexible. Hockey Made Easy: Instructional Manual; John Shorey, String Specifications for Pro Tennis Players. The sticks that players use nowadays are composite sticks made out of materials like graphite, kevlar and carbon. = The tape itself is made of a cloth-based material. It is used for extra grip while stick handling. This could keep the puck from being stolen before you make your move. Friction tape for the blade and hockey tape for the knob is my preference, I have my own technique for the knob, just two of my current teammates have seen it before, one asked me to tape his stick amd he loves it ? There isnt a large gap in quality for most brands, so there isnt going to be a huge difference in price per roll either. Hockey players tape their sticks to gain the highest level of control with the puck. FREE Tape Tin included in 3pk, 12pk, and 30pk options! There are as many ways to prepare a hockey stick for action as there are hockey players. Butt-end tape prevents the top hand from sliding off the top of the stick. And although theres an abundance of decorative hockey tape to please every style preference, Shorey points out that black tape matches the pucks color and it helps to hide its exact location. Buying hockey tape in bulk allows for the price per roll to decrease, which might prove beneficial if youre committed to playing for an extended period of time. Ice hockey is a fast and aggressive sport, but tape is a huge part of the skill and finesse side of the game. It is elastic and comes in a variety of colors. Stick tape is a cloth tape that can be used anywhere on the stick, but is most often used on the blade to give players better control over the puck. You are, because you know how important it is to be prepared. Hockey sticks need tape for players to achieve the best on-ice performance. Have you ever tried to pick a stick up off the ice? The single strip method may be particularly useful when skating on the synthetic ice sheets that are becoming more common and are available in all sizes from custom practice areas to home ice skating rinks, to full-scale training centers. Some players in the history of the NHL have even taped their stick in ways so unique that it becomes their own signature tape job. Contact KwikRink Synthetic Ice to get a quote on everything you will need for your custom skating rink. There are many brands which come in different qualities and thicknesses. Wrapping tape around the blade does cause some additional drag between the stick and the ice, which some players find makes stick handling more difficult. I usea strip of colored poly tape on the hack zone of the bottom of my shaft so protect it from chipping and shaft damage. While some players use electrical tape, the two other types have a sticky surface that makes it easier for the blade to grip the puck and direct it. In ice hockey, puck control is a must. (72 Games Per Year), Are NHL Referees Fulltime? if ( notice ) A&R Sports Black Hockey Tape Also Consider, Reviewing The Best Hockey Pucks This Year, Works great on the stick toe to improve puck control, Stays put and doesnt come off until you want it to, Edges can fray a little after several uses, Thick layer of adhesive helps protect your stick from moisture, Adhesive isnt as tacky as other brands but it stays put once wrapped, Tape is one inch wide and comes in 20-yard rolls. It is not that easy. Everyone knows that the hockey stick is a hockey players prized possession, whether youre a newbie or a professional it is important that you have a good strong grip on your stick. It can be fixed by ripping off the remaining tape and applying a brand new layer of tape. .hide-if-no-js { Shin tape is available in a variety of colors and is discarded after use. It is made of a cloth which can be used on any part of the hockey stick; most commonly the grip (knob) and the blade. }); link to Understanding high-sticking in hockey: when it is a penalty or stoppage of play, link to How many games are in an NHL season? This really does save a lot of time. Youre completely ready for this. When the stick falls on the ice the knob created by the tape helps create a separation between the shaft of the stick and the ice so it easier for the player to be able to pick up the stick off the ice. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but in hockey inches matter and you need to be precise or the puck will end up on the other teams stick and in the back of your net. So which is the best hockey tape in 2022 for you? Electrical tape Why do hockey players leave their sticks on the ice? Lets take a look at the types of tape, why theyre different, and the uses for each of them. Taping the handle can improve the players grip on the stick. Well, almost ready. notice.style.display = "block"; The largest factors in stick tape durability are the frequency that you use the stick, your preference for the condition of your tape job, and the thickness of the tape job. Brave Stick Hockey by Oranjy Limited. The butt-end tape job covers the top (or handle) of the stick. Hockey tapes come in different colors, patterns, widths, lengths, and materials. This provides coverage for the entire bottom of the blade. There are different widths, which allow players to determine the depth of their tape job. ESPN The Magazine: Answer Guy: Why Do Hockey Players Tape Their Sticks? Hockey Answered is full of, well, answers! Box 1173 | Maple Grove, MN 55311 USA, surface of the blade makes it easier to control the puck and accurately shoot a pass across the expanse of the rink, Create the Coolest Memories Ice Skating During Summer, Get Ready for the Season with Off-Ice Hockey Training, You Can Easily Install Synthetic Ice in Your Garage, 5 Training Drills That are Perfect for Synthetic Ice, 5 Things You Dont Know About Synthetic Ice Tiles. You can use pro-wrap underneath your grip to make it thicker with out adding weight. We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. When extra moisture gathers, it reduces your grip and damages your hockey blade. Now the sticks NHL players (and most recreational players) use are not made of wood. Theres one thing left to do and that is taping your stick with the best hockey tape. Check out here our top picks. It improves the players feel for stick-handling and allows a more accurate pass when sending the puck to a teammate. Its purpose is to help you get a firm grip on the handle of the stick and protect the blade. Every type of hockey tape will have a different lifespan depending on how it is used and how often you play hockey with it. Back when hockey was first being played, hockey sticks were both rare and fragile. Emma Watkins writes on finance, fitness and gardening. In the final analysis, hockey stick taping may be more art than science. Modern cloth stick tapes are produced in white, black and a large variety of colors to match team uniforms and printed patterns for decorative appeal. Grip tape or stick tape on the handle can last for much longer before it starts to deteriorate. Tape also protects the stick from damage and moisture from the ice. The Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. They tape the blade for added protection and to give them a better feel when controlling the puck. Highest thread count for maximum durability, Stamped adhesive for increased water resistance, First choice of pro hockey players everywhere. This gives the appearance of a sock cover for the blade. Players tape the knob for two reasons: grip and to help pick the stick up off the ice. If you run a commercial rink, are a competitive athlete, or youre an ardent fan, call and find out how KwikRink Synthetic Ice can enhance your game. When wrapping the blade of a stick, you need to start from the heel and work your way up to the toe of the blade. But, why do they spend so much time on this? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. When it comes to adequately taping your hockey stick, the longer the tape the better. Start by wrapping around the end of your Hockey stick to create several layers of tape. So to prevent the blades of the stick from getting cracks in them the players will tape the stick as protection. No, they are not toxic. All will affect the blade surface and, therefore, how it interacts with the puck. Taping a hockey stick handle and blade has a lot of benefits. When it comes to taping your stick, the choice is entirely up to you. Wood splinters, especially when it is worn away by consistent friction with the puck. You can get it with a rope or finger slots, regular, a sandpaper feel, big knobs, small knobs, shorter ones and others. Have you ever wondered why a hockey stick needs tape? Why do hockey players tape their sticks? This basically means that it sticks to itself and not to other surfaces. The puck does not quite come on and off of the stick the same as it does the wood stick. There seems to be an issue with incongruent nomenclature. And wood sticks would do not mix well with the snow and water moisture from the ice. Whether youre using a composite or wooden stick, it is crucial that you tape your stick with the best hockey tape that you can find. If you would like to check out more about Buttendz and my review check it out here. Another reason players tape their hockey sticks is to increase their control over the stick and the puck. At the top of the shaft players can use regular stick tape or a more specialized version called grip tape. They each have a very specialized use. This allows the puck to be that much easier to receive. The elastic version is softer and easier to use while the non-elastic grip tapes may be too abrasive. Made from tightly woven poly-cotton cloth and an aggressive natural rubber adhesive, your tape job will hold up to the rigors of the game. They tape the knob for grip and it helps in picking up the stick quickly if it falls to the ice. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They trainers do not do it for them because they all have little ways that they want their sticks taped and they leave it up to no one else but themselves. Understandably, players are very particular about their sticks and want them to last. It also gives the grip a sponge-y feel. Whether a players blade is wood or not, he still has good reason to tape it. Hockey tape is designed to be used by all ages and for gear of all sizes. Use the tape to circle over the blade, gently and carefully wrapping up and overlapping each layer by about 0.6cm. Are you at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end? As well, when handling and passing the puck tape allows the puck to be controlled just that much better. The grip tape is made with a cohesive material. It isnt used too much on hockey sticks but can be used to add depth to your knob and protection against chips. Fast? Continue wrapping until you have about 5 cm left of blade showing. There are many techniques for taping hockey stick blades. As you watch a slapshot being taken the player raises the stick off the ice and the bottom hand will slide up the stick towards the blade. Grip tape, or more commonly usedas surgical tape. Now the blade is not the only part of the stick that gets taped. Ensure that you consider this factor when buying the best hockey tape for your stick. The most frequently used tape for hockey sticks is cloth tape. The biggest factors in the cost of hockey tape are the brand and quantity purchased. Grip tape is an elastic, adhesive cloth tape that is put on the top of the shaft to give players a better grip on the stick. With RSS feeds, you don't have to visit our site everyday to keep up to date. NHL legend Bobby Orr became well-known for his two-strip tape job on the blade, which occupies far less space on the blade than most tape jobs. Hockey Tape 3-Pack (1 Clear/1 Black/1 White), CellyTape Hockey Stick Tape 4-Pack, Ice Hockey Cloth Tape Strong Adhesive, Easy Tearing Made in USA (Black Tape), SportsTape Hockey Tape Multipack, Clear, 3 Roll, 10 Pack Clear Sports Tape Hockey Tape for Socks and Gear, Easy to Stretch and Tear Shin Guard Tape by Good Gear, Black Hockey Tape Combo Pack - Two Black Stick Tape and Four Clear Sock Tape Rolls. He says that wrapping them in hockey tape helps the player direct the puck and shoot it where it needs to go. Polyurethane tape (shin pad tape) Probably the most common is to wrap the tape across the blade. Without tape, the puck is much more slippery on the stick blade. Composite sticks can feel slippery. Welcome to Hockey Answered: a resource for anyone curious to learn & understand more about the great game of hockey. Understanding high-sticking in hockey: when it is a penalty or stoppage of play. Notable players who use Tacki-Macs are, Patrick Kane and Sidney Crosby. One advantage of black tape on the stick blade is that it can conceal the appearance of the puck when the player is shooting on the goalie. Stick tape gets wet from the ice and it is not waterproof, so the friction of the puck eventually creates rips. A player cannot actually afford the time to pick up their stick off the ice in many circumstances I actually wrote a post about it. Protecting the blade is still essential, however, and taping the stick still prevents the blade from chipping or breaking. Some players are okay with a more deteriorated tape job, so they can play 10+ times without re-taping their stick, while NHL players occasionallyre-tape their sticks mid-game. Most people are familiar with the cloth tape used in the past for medical bandages. If you are a new fan or lifelong enthusiast, I hope that you can enjoy hockey even more by learning something new around here. This protection, much like the wood stick, will extend the length of life of the stick, which helps when you are paying $100 to $300 per stick! Hockey sticks were originally made of wood. Lets look at the reasons players tape their stick in more detail. KwikRink is your one-stop-shop for the complete ice skating experience. Friction tape isnt too popular. I recommend starting with regular hockey tape. There are three different kinds of hockey tape: shin, grip, and stick tape. The original hockey stick tape was a type of friction tape. Renfrew hockey tape is preferred by beginners and professionals alike. Some players recently began to tape the stick blade over its toe. The elastic version is softer and can make a soft grip surface that will conform to the person's grip during use. containerEl: '#fd-form-620ead33d328ec5152cf088e' setTimeout( Absolutely! Lets look at why a composite stick is taped. Sign up for the Hockey players club and never run out of tape again. I searched on Amazon for hockey grip tape and it was there. You can use itto tape the very top of yourknob because its not as wide as the 1 inch tape and it is slightly harder than using regular tape for a sturdy pronounced knob. Adequately taping your stick with a thick and lengthy hockey tape not only makes it durable, but it also improves your stickhandling skill and ultimately leads to a better game. Some players still use friction tape, but it is often dissuaded from use by arenas, as the black material making it up transfers onto the puck and causes sneaker-like streaks along the edge boards and glass of the rink. Whether your hockey stick is made with wooden or composite material, different types of hockey tapes are made for sticks with different materials. Stick tape is cloth tape that can be used on the handle, but it is most often used on the blade. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hockey_tape&oldid=1073689347, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 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, taping the lower part of the stick shaft to prevent damage from another player hacking at the stick, taping the blade proceeding from heel to toe also allows for a player to impart more spin on a puck, adding to a shot or pass' accuracy, This page was last edited on 24 February 2022, at 01:41. You may also use combinations of different tapes. Composite sticks break easier than you would expect. The use of tape, however, is a necessity. What is high-sticking in How many games are in an NHL season? Ice hockey players use tape to hold gear in place, protect their sticks, and even express a sense of style. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and its partners may receive compensation for links to products and services on this website. Wrapping a friction tape around a hockey stick grip handle helps the stick last longer and prevents it from wear and tear, taping the blade helps to improve the quality of the hockey puck control. var notice = document.getElementById("cptch_time_limit_notice_93"); There is a type of high-sticking that results in a penalty and another that simply causes a face-off. Youve just got your new hockey stick; youre so excited to use it. cloth tape, prevent broken sticks, puck control, stock control. It is important to consider how long you want your tape to last, the price you are willing to pay, and what width of tape you desire. His need to help people brings him here to write product reviews, and he hopes you find exactly what you're looking for! The top hand in shooting and stick-handling acts as an anchor and needs to stay in one spot, and, therefore, tape is a great way to provide the grip necessary so that hand does not slide around. The water moisture would work its way into the would causing splintering on the bottom of the stick. The material with which your hockey stick is made of is an important factor to consider. After a few games the tape would start to get chewed up by the ice and the stick would need to be re-taped. Thanks! Regular Season, Playoffs, Exhibition and more. What happens to the rings when the Stanley Cup is full of names. If you are facing off at center ice in the NHL or a subscriber to the NHL Center Ice television package, understanding the intricacies of the game will enhance your enjoyment of it. Even some of the premier brands sell bundles of 30 rolls or so that average out to less than $3 per roll. And thats what youll be with Howies black cloth hockey tape. In addition to protecting the stick, the black tape helps camouflage the puckon the stick. There are many different types of tape out there to choose from. The top or knob of the stick will also get taped. Having to buy a hockey tape frequently because it isnt of good quality sucks! Shin tape is used to hold gear in place, most often shin pads. Now the composite sticks do not have the problem of having to worry about water moisture getting into the stick, but with the new sticks come new problems. Check them out here or click the logo below. Your email address will not be published. The composite sticks can get cracks in them from being slashed or hit by hard pucks. Get the right tools and materials. Taping the lower part of the shaft handle helps to protect the hockey stick from damages that could be caused by the impact of another persons stick. Wax repels moisture and adds a small amount of tackiness that can help with puck handling. Always running out of tape? You can still buy them, and I have a few old ones in my garage, but up until the 1990s this is all you could get. The most important thing to consider here is that you tape your blade smoothly to avoid any friction that could hinder your play. Copyright 2017-2022 Rookie Road Inc. All rights reserved. What are the different types of tapes? Taping the blades of hockey sticks dates back to the early 1900s. One of the most common calls you will see in hockey is high-sticking. Shin tape is almost exclusively single-use. Both the shaft and blade can be taped in different styles allowing players to express themselves. This would create a nob that would prevent the stick from slipping off your hand. Some of them are: Hockey Tape Regular stick tape is typically made of cloth. Players will create a thick knob of tape at the end of the stick partly to help hold onto the stick better but also to help them be able to pick up the stick off the ice faster. You can already imagine yourself zip zapping across the rink, getting past the defenders, and putting the puck in your opponents net. If a player's stick developed a crack they needed a way to make it last longer. Thin tape requires more overlaps and more tape, but it is likely to last longer. It also has a soft and spongy feel to it. Cut the tape off and adhere the edges to one another. You can use the same tape on a youth and senior stick. Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved. Depending on the level of play, this tape may only last one or two games on the blade of a hockey stick. Shin tape is a polyethylene backed tape used on shin pads or socks over the shin pads to help keep them in position. If youre wondering why you should tape your hockey stick, then it is a good thing that youre reading this buying guide. The main reason why a hockey player would tape his stick is to prevent moisture from accumulating while playing a game. Players can also apply stick wax to their taped stick blade. Excess moisture can make you lose your grip and cost you your game. Please reload CAPTCHA. As the player takes the shot the bottom hand slides back up towards the top. Shin tape is typically used to help hold shin pads or socks in place, while the primary use of hockey tape is on the stick at the top of the shaft and on the blade. I am a lifelong fan who grew up in a major market (Calgary), and I have played, coached, and watched a lot of hockey! Remember to change tapes when it shows signs of wearing out. Many players roll this tape into a butt-end knob. They are great alternatives to regular cloth tape and really save you money. The pressure-sensitive tape is self-adhesive and water resistant, and is elastic so that there is less risk of cutting off circulation to the legs. six His meaningful insight has helped athletes both young and old maintain a solid athletic career and work ethic. KwikRink Synthetic Ice is a superior ice surface for competitive athletes and recreational skaters. Many aspects of hockey sticks and tape depend on personal preference. Star playmakers such as Sidney Crosby and David Pastrnak collect many goals and assists using black tape. If you watch an ice hockey game, you will see that all the players use tape on their sticks. Tape provides a layer of protection for the stick blade. Most players use it on their shin pads to keep it in place. window.fd('form', { There are a number of things that you must consider when buying hockey tape. I personally do not recommend using duct tape because the strong adhesive can ruin your gloves and generally duct tape is very slippery. Her articles and essays have appeared in "Writer's Digest," "The Writer," "From House to Home," "Big Apple Parent" and other online and print venues. The top of the stick is taped so the players can have a better grip on it, which allows for control and stability. There are several kinds of hockey tape used by ice hockey, field hockey, roller hockey, and lacrosse players: stick (or blade) tape, shin pad tape and grip tapes. What you call grip tape here isnt sold as grip tape online. Because this tape is for top hand grip, it will usually stretch for at least the width of your hand. It can be used similar to poly tape. Though NHLers only use black or white tape on their stick blades, hockey tape does come in every colour of the rainbow! This tape can be used for: This kind of tape is also used in field hockey and lacrosse. These sticks are more expensive than the wooden sticks that were used until recent decades. Some of the best players in the history of the game took different approaches. This cloth hockey tape is made from a durable poly-cotton material that can really take a beating no matter where you put it on your stick. The tape is made from cloth or polyethylene. Pro-wrap is normally used on the body to tape up joints (like wrists and ankles) to provide comfort while still giving the ability to have mobility. It can be used on your knob to add extragrip and prolong the life of your gloves. P.O. They are simple to install, save you from constantly taping your sticks and are much better for your gloves. Howies Cloth Tape from Howies Hockey Tape on Vimeo. Wood sticks cost about $20 and composite can cost as much as $300. (function( timeout ) { Shin tape is typically a clear, plastic-like material that is waterproof on top, so the integrity of the tape isnt compromised mid-game. Ice hockey tape typically costs in the $3-$5 range per roll, but buying in large quantities can actually lower the unit price below that. This knob helps to prevent the stick from slipping out of the players hand and makes the stick handier to pick up when dropped. Pre-made rubber grips One alternative is to place a single strip of tape across the length of the blade, which does provide some additional control of the puck without creating the friction between the ice and the stick. If you ever see a wood stick sitting in someones house or garage, check the bottom of it. Secondly, players tape their sticks to change how the stick feels and how the player handles it. The tape would prevent water moisture from entering the stick and it would also keep the would stick from splintering as quickly on the bottom. It is mostly likely splintered and cracked from use. It comes in a variety of colors, but the two most common are black and white. Cohesives are materials that stick to themselves but not to other surfaces. Players who excel at deking and toe-drags favour this tape job, which will require a pair of scissors. It is a cloth-based self-adhesive, elastic or non-elastic cotton or synthetic fiber. To prevent this splintering of the wood stick and to prolong the life of the stick players would tape their stick. However, the small difference can add up over time. Taping your hockey stick also helps to make it strong and durable. Learn how your comment data is processed. Pro-wrap You need to determine how you want the handle and blade of your stick to be wrapped. Grip tape is very popular withNHL players.
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