Warning: Use only hockey wax on your hockey stick, and not just any off-the-shelf commercial wax that can gum up your stick and wreck your game. Were excited to read what you have to say. Here are the most common tape patterns and methods. If you rub your hand along the blade, you can feel them "grabbing" your hand. Warm water and mild dish soap remove leftover adhesive as does rubbing your blade on the rubber floors in the locker room. - The old Sakic (Blade 1) is now by far the most popular pattern on the market. Check other stores. 5) Bauer X Hockey Stick. 6) CCM JetSpeed FT5 Pro Stick. The 5-strand technique is not common but can help you feel the puck better when handling. We have even heard of people using both black and white tape so that you can get the best of both worlds. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Its easy to tear without the need for scissors due to the serrated edges and allows you to quickly tape sticks on the bench. Huge inventory of pro stock hockey sticks from leading manufacturers like Bauer, CCM, Warrior and more. This makes it more of a grip than a typical hockey stick tape in many peoples eyes. This stark contrast will help your peripheral vision see the puck better out of the corner of your eye. For the player who needs clear poly hockey tape to secure their shin guards, we have plenty of options from Renfrew and Howies. Let us help you find your next hockey stick in 4 steps! While taping a stick may not be as complicated as remodeling your kitchen, it still pays to set up your workstation. Comp O Stik Pride. Howies stick tape is available in several colors such as white, black, red and blue. Wrapping tape in specific patterns around specific sections of a hockey stick is an effective way for players to prepare for action. If youre just learning to tape your stick, you may experience a few rounds of trial and error before you figure it out. Moreso, it comes down to comfort working your way from one end of the blade to the other given the shape and lie of your hockey stick. Hockey tape isnt the cheapest thing in the world, but more importantly, its inconvenient to have to re-tape constantly. Youll get a better grip with your top hand if you apply regular stick tape. The blade is more important since there is some science, sound reasoning and years of experienced players doing it a certain way. Free tape with every purchase, 30-day stick guarantee and stick personalization available. You know, where I've said your tape job should end. Many players prefer a fresh tape job on their blade every time they skate, which is a lot easier if you have endless team tape or never run out due to your hockey tape subscription. We discuss all of this in more detail below. That's what Renfrew, the manufacturer, claims in addition to saying that it lasts longer, is stickier, and is just better overall. You finally found it the end allbe all guide to a well-taped hockey stick. Spiral-wind the sticky rope around the shaft, so the rib runs down about eight inches or a foot or so from the top knob. This towards-the-body motion is what initiates the spin on the puck. Super easy to track and super easy to stop. If you're a parent or first-time buyer and have more questions about taping your hockey stick, contact our experts at Pure Hockeythey're ready to help! Im old enough to remember a time before video games and when playing outside was encouraged. It's a cool idea for adding a custom grip. Relating back to hockey, a puck is exactly the same as a frisbee. The fact is, the tape on your hockey stick is NOT going to make your child a better hockey player. Although, there are always exceptions to the rule. It provides an excellent lightweight and tacky feel while also offering comfort and cutting down on wear and tear on your gloves. We hope youve found our list of hockey stick tapes useful. This puts a lot of spin on the frisbee -- far more than just the rotation your elbow joint provides -- and allows it to fly through the air parallel to the ground which offers more distance and accuracy. Considering your top hand is responsible for a vast majority of your stickhandling and puck control, its easy to understand why your butt end is arguablythe most important aspect of a tape job. 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. Other players dont have any official gap between their butt end and candy by continuing to tape down the shaft while taping their butt end, simply adding some gap between spirals once theyre onto the candy cane section of the tape job. The puck just rolls off the end of the blade without them realizing it. If you dont want to leave anything to chance and are already a pretty strong puck handler, then the sock tape job might be a good fit. This will turn your strip of tape into a rope shape thats easy to wrap around the top of your stick. The blue arrows, again, indicate the direction the shot or pass is being directed. Save your money for all the other equipment that hockey requires, such as your hockey stick, helmets and hockey skates for wide feet. When you throw a frisbee, if it wobbles, flutters, doesn't go very far, or veers off to one side, you're just not putting enough spin on it. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Now its time to grab some stick wax! Gravity isn't really in play here -- besides keeping everything on the ice. Hockey Stick Blade Curve & Pattern Chart: Which Lie is Right for You? A&R hockey stick tape can usually be bought in single rolls and youll also be able to find it in packages of two and six. The water-resistant tape stays secure even in moist conditions and offers a strong, long-lasting bond. Always use black tape to disguise the puck and make it harder for goalies to track. Reply. The tape can be found in an assortment of widths, lengths, colors, and patterns and can also be bought in bulk in multi-pack bundles and cases. Wellmaybe we could use the slight advantage a correct tape job can offer. The more notches, the faster it spins, the more accurate your shots and passes are. Grip tape is very popular with NHL players. No joke -- that's the very best way to do it. For speed and to reduce frustration, always start where the damage has occurred. In the meantime, you can learn additional information about our different Hockey Stick Blades by visiting our website here! There are many methods of taping a stick on the blade, grip and shaft. -- There's no "right" way to tape a hockey stick. Heel-to-toe or toe-to-heel? So, here's the most beneficial way to tape a hockey stick. Would You Rather Have Patrick Kanes Hands or Alexander Ovechkins Shot? To remove hockey stick tape, start at the area that has frayed. At the bottom, stick to good old-fashioned cloth hockey tape in white or black. Ultimately, like the butt end and shaft of your hockey stick, your blade tape job is all up to you. Youll get the best prices on these products, thanks to Pure Hockeys low-price guarantee. Flatten this strip so there are no wrinkles, and then begin to tape your blade. *By submitting this form, you agree to receive recurring automated promotional and personalized marketing text messages(e.g. If you want to hide the puck, you can always use black tape on the blade. For a toe-covered blade, tape your stick as usual, then once you reach the toe, wrap it as if it's square to create a squared-off flap, then use scissors to trim around the toe. 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. For the 1995-96 season, he put up 68 goals and 58 assists in just 68 games. So, for the greatest advantage, tape your blade from heel to toe with the black tape that comes with a serrated edge. Customer Service Hours are: Also, there are different colors of cloth tape, giving players the choice to personalize their sticks. FIND NOW >>, America's Largest Hockey Retailer! Some players create a ribbed section on their hockey stick shaft using tape. Hockey Stick Blade Curve Patterns by Brand, Common Questions About Hockey Stick Blade Curves, Sher-Wood T20 ABS Junior Replacement Blade, MonkeySports Twigz ABS Standard Junior Replacement Blade, MonkeySports Twigz CT250 Tapered Composite Senior Replacement Blade, True AX9 Standard Senior Replacement Blade, Sher-Wood 5030 Standard Senior Replacement Blade, The Best Hockey Tape for 2023 (with reviews), The Best Hockey Shoulder Pads for 2023 (with reviews), The Best Hockey Elbow Pads for 2023 (with reviews), The Best Hockey Shin Guards for 2023 (with reviews), Hockey Equipment List for Players of All Levels. This tape is designed specifically for hockey sticks and provides a durable, tacky grip. Sidney Crosby uses a CCM P29 curve. Coloured and graphic-design rolls can be found in a variety of lengths. The name of this method may not be creative, but its accurate. The tricky part here is the toe end. Find the best hockey puck here. Fiberglass/graphite splinters arent fun! For detailed instructions, refer to our How to Tape a Hockey Stick guidelines. White-colored tape also helps your teammates see a pass coming from you more clearly. Tape jobs are like windshield cracks; as soon as there is a chink in the armor, it will start spreading fast. A&R is well known for its sports accessories with hockey tape being one of its best-selling items. This usually happens on the bottom edge of the blade first since that is what makes the most contact. This cloth tape is ideal for taping the grips, blades, and handles of all hockey sticks. In an interview with Sportsnet, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin said: I change it. Like Kevin Fialas tape job, pictured below, cut two strips of tape the length of your blade. A slight curve depth provides great accuracy on all shot types and puck control but will be harder to lift the puck. Buying the tape in multi-roll packages and by the case will result in savings. This article was originally published on January 24, 2020, and has been updated with new information. By all means, host your fashion show up there. DO NOT use clear, duct, postal, or any kind of tape that isnt friction, grip, or cloth hockey tape on your stick. Provides great puck control, quick releases, great ontrol on shots. NHL players use white tape because it helps them to see the puck better when they have possession. What's new here is the green arrow. You may see NHLers moving at lightning speed while standing on the bench, taping their stick 3 minutes before puck drop. Apply wax to your finished tape job if youd like to add some durability to your tape job and grip to the puck. Ideally, you always want it "on" the tape. Let us help you find your next hockey stick in 4 steps! When you need to re-tape your stick, it will be because the bottom becomes frayed and starts to fall off. $7.47 *Price comparisons are based on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price ("MSRP") or Original Selling Price. Copyright 1999 - 2023 MonkeySports, Inc. All Rights Reserved. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. If you prefer grip tape (as pictured above), create the cloth knob first, then cover the knob with grip tape and proceed down the shaft to your preferred length. 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, they do, but instead of being little notches, they turn into tiny ramps so the puck is actually losing contact with the stick during the shooting or passing motion. Great mid-curve option for players who take a wide variety of shots. Guide to Hockey Parentingbetter. Great Programs have Great People For any junior hockey players reading this, I strongly recommend you use white grip tape. Essentially, you're giving the puck a push to spin faster. For goalies, the recommended tape pattern is toe-to-heel so that the puck rolls off the blade, especially during passing and shooting. #freshtj #tapeonthefly, A post shared by Hockey Players Club (@hockeyplayersclub) on Sep 7, 2015 at 2:52pm PDT. Your grip or butt end does not need to be changed nearly as often. You should also tape the very top of your stick for added grip. It's hard to tell, but the puck really does grab on to the blade of the stick. Slightly open faces are slightly more open than the closed option, so it will still provide great power on heavy shots, while also give players an easier time lifting the puck on shots. Specially designed for today's composite hockey sticks, these tapes incorporate an advanced adhesive formulation applied to a polyester/cotton cloth base, resulting in a more substantial cloth tape with increased wear characteristics. Taping your stick is important because it prevents moisture from accumulating on the blade while in game. Shop & Save on Bulk Tape, Pucks, Bottles & More! Trim any flaps hanging off the toe with scissors as well. Use a half-strip of tape to cover the butt, making the knob with these thinner wraps of tape. When you start from the heel, the overlap of the tape creates ridges that are higher on the toe side. This hockey tape also comes in 1-inch and 1.5-inch thickness. Some players, like Sidney Crosby, prefer to add some extra grip to their butt end by adding a candy cane of rolled tape underneath their grip or cloth tape. A good poke check either hits the puck or it doesn't -- guys aren't stickhandling better around white tape jobs than they are around black -- I'm certain someone nerdier than I has analyzed that. The wax reduces the ice and water your tape job accumulates while adding tackiness to your blades exterior. Always use white tape to make it easier to see the puck when youre stickhandling. If there's one advantage I have over nearly every pro hockey player out there, besides a straight nose and a full set of teeth, it's that I understand how and why the things hockey players dowork. This ensures that the cloth tape will stay attached and wont snag on any of your equipment. I know, it hurts the brain when visualizing stuff like this if you're not a nerd. A science nerd. Pattern Database - The Stick Guru; Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Now cover the spiral wind with tape, and there you have it: a basic do-it-yourself grip with a rib. With an exposed heel, you can get more feel when youre stickhandling. New. 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. Skating into the Sunset: When Youth Hockey Ends, Going Bar Down -- Help with Lifting the Puck, Positionless Puck Chasers in Youth Hockey. How Often Should You Tape A Hockey Stick? Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. Hold the end of the tape with one hand up in the air so the roll is dangling, then spin it. Ive always had a passion for games and hobbies since I was a little kid growing up in the country. 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. This Hockey Stick Blade is one of the most popular in the game today and features a deep mid-curve allowing for great stickhandling and puck control. 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! **If you prefer to use the plastic end cap that come with most sticks these days, secure it down with a layer or two of cloth tape across the top of the stick before taping your handle down the shaft. As mentioned, be as consistent as possible in the spacing of your tape. 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. The candy cane method is referring to the shaft of your stick. If youre more seasoned or an expert puck handler, then you can go with #2. 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! Fastest growing pattern in hockey. Look, tape on a hockey stick can serve a purpose (as I've detailed above) or you can simply use it to make a fashion statement. To add grip to the handle under the knob, wind the full width of the tape down the shaft about 10 or 12 inches, overlapping evenly and consistently. How a player tapes a hockey stick varies depending on personal preference. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE BROWSING FROM CANADA. But the new design doesnt affect your preferred taping patterns and methods. We are dedicated to bringing you the highest quality hockey gear reviews and industry news so that youre up to date and know which equipment is best for your goals. Thanks for reading, and contact me with any questions. 8) Bauer Sling Grip Hockey Stick. However, while this curve is a great shooters curve, it is one of the hardest to learn and control due to the amount of lift it creates. Total hack. You should tape a hockey stick when your current cloth tape has become weakened or frayed. As for tape patterns and colours, each combination is really a personal preference. The tape is designed to handle all rigors of the sport and wont come unraveled when wet. This is a comfort and feel area and each player can get a little creative as long as it does not hinder your play. By having the tape go alllllllll the way to the end, you never get that feeling. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Use your thumb to rub and remove the residue on the other blade surfaces but be wary of any areas of your blade that are cracked or splintered. This ritual is often overlooked by beginners and kids who play hockey. The two biggest factors are playing frequency, and the level of play at which you are playing at. Save all of that fancy stuff for the top of your stick. If you stand on the ice holding the stick to your side normally, and the blade is more on its heel or toe, then you have the wrong Hockey Stick Lie. This Hockey Blade curve is a great option for players who play the game with the puck on the toe of their stick, due to the toe curve with an open face. To help alleviate some potential damage to your blade, consider taping the entirety of the blade, rather than leaving the heel or toe exposed! Backhands, quick snap shots, and wrist shots. Hockey moves very fast and in the NHL, there is no time to look down at the puck. Agree? For example: In a toe-to-heel wrap, start at the toe, winding the tape carefully and consistently around the blade, making sure the tape doesn't bunch up or wrinkle. Control - The Curve of an Ice Hockey Stick Blade greatly increases puck control during stickhandling, especially quick stick handling in tight spaces. Wrapping hockey tape on the blade also prevents moisture and ice buildup, so the puck tracks with your blade instead of slipping out of control. A computer nerd. Umyeah. If you're taping the toe, you're drifting in to the latter category. The un-taped toe of the stick is a lot like an outfield warning track in baseball. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The SportsTape brand is quite popular with hockey players as the company makes traditional adhesive cloth/polyester stick tape. Youve got your new hockey stick and you think youre ready to hit the rink and smash your slapshot past the defenders and into the corner of the net, right? Pick a spot on your blade. $24.99 #083-9180-8. How many people out there tape the entire toe of the stick? 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. Hockey Stick Blades with a closed face will help keep shots low and powerful, with more straight-line velocity. do not tape your stick like a roller hockey player unless you use the stick on and off the ice, do not continue the tape job of your shaft onto your blade or vice-versa. 4) Bauer Nexus Sync Hockey Stick. Most major Hockey Stick brands have a variety of different Hockey Stick Curves, with many of them having both strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most popular patterns include the spiral, the figure-eight, and the snake. Great for toe drags, quick releases, and getting lift on your shots. Different strokes for different folks. All rights reserved. Alex Ovechkin doesnt tape his entire blade but starts at the middle and then covers the entire toe. Like Phil Kessel, normal 1 wide white cloth tape down the shaft works well. Sure, there were a few kids out there using electrical tape too but we won't talk about them Now, in addition to all of the colors and patterns, there are different widths, those big sticker things, those rubber stick wraps, grip tape, waxed tape, friction tape, and a whole host of other things. Message frequency varies. Tape your stick per usual but once you get to the toe of your blade, wrap it as if its square so you can pinch together the tape that isnt on the blade. Defense should use white tape to "hide" their poke checks and forwards should use black so the goalie can't get a good read on where the puck's release point is. Frankly, were no physicists over here and wont attempt to explain the science behind one or the other. Find the best hockey tapes, grips, and stick waxes at Pure Hockey. Have your stick blade clear of any residual tape and any other debris. Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm ET | Saturday: 9am-6pm ET | Sunday: 9am-6pm ET. It's just increasing the velocity of the spin -- which is the yellow arrow. Sports Tape Hockey Stick Tape typically comes in rolls that are an inch wide and 20 yards long and money can be saved when buying multi-packs of tape. Hockey Blade Curve Depth refers to how deep the actual curve of the blade is.