No two hockey gamers are the identical — not even the Sedin brothers. Totally different kinds of play name for gear that matches gamers like they had been born with it, and which means a whole lot of trial and error and cautious consideration. In terms of discovering the perfect stick, understanding how to decide on one made with the right stage of flex and curve is actually essential, however that is not the entire story. That is the place roll of hockey tape turns into the MVP.
Taping your stick lets you customise the texture and efficiency of your twig so you may really feel as snug and assured on the ice as doable. Produced from sturdy material with sturdy adhesive, hockey tape helps shield your gear in addition to boosting your recreation. Not solely does it maintain ice and moisture from build up and harming the stick, but it surely additionally offers you extra management of the puck together with different advantages. For instance, many forwards select to make use of black tape on the blades of their sticks as a result of it helps camouflage the puck from the goalie and provides them a slight benefit when attacking the crease.
There are nearly as some ways to tape your stick as there are gamers, so it is a good suggestion to mess around with completely different taping kinds to seek out the one which feels best for you. In case you’re new to the game, our information on the fundamental methodology of taping a hockey stick must be your start line. When you grasp the usual strategies, nevertheless, it is time to transfer on to some more-advanced methods to tape your hockey stick.
There’s No “Proper” Strategy to Tape a Stick
As a result of the way you tape your stick depends upon the way you need it to have an effect on your play, there is not any “proper” option to tape. Nonetheless, try to be conscious of how taping influences how your stick feels and the way it interacts with the puck if you wish to get the very best outcomes. Taping the blade and the shaft can have completely different results, relying on the way you do it. Basically, the completely different taping methods can affect:
Management: Having tape in the appropriate locations alongside the deal with and shaft of your stick can change the best way it feels in your palms, in addition to its responsiveness. This may be essential for making certain you all the time have a agency grip so your stick will reply the best way you anticipate it to.
Really feel: Taping the blade can affect the way it feels while you’re dealing with the puck. Some gamers like having a thick layer of tape to stop the puck from bouncing off the blade, whereas others desire simply sufficient to offer friction with out shedding sensitivity.
Accuracy: If you’re in a position to tape your blade with out overlaps or gaps, it creates a easy, constant floor for delivering pictures. This implies there’s much less probability of a wobbly shot fluttering to the flawed aspect of the pipes.
Hockey Stick Grip Tape Types
Though most sticks manufactured immediately come geared up with grips already put in on the deal with, a whole lot of gamers nonetheless desire to customise theirs with a little bit of tape. Most frequently, gamers will use it to construct up the knob on the butt finish to allow them to get a greater grip on it when poke checking or taking a slap shot.
For a lot of gamers, the easiest way so as to add some extra grip to their sticks is what’s often known as the “sweet cane” tape job in hockey. This includes utilizing an extended piece of rolled tape and wrapping it across the shaft, making certain there are gaps a gloved finger’s width between every wrap. This creates finger wells that provide you with one thing to carry onto firmly with out worrying concerning the stick sliding via your palms.
After all, you could not need a whole lot of further stickiness in your stick since you desire to have the ability to transfer your palms rapidly throughout play. Once more, there is not any flawed option to tape a stick — how a lot or how little you employ is as much as you.
Hockey Blade Tape Types
The place taping turns into actually attention-grabbing is while you transfer right down to the blade of your stick. There are a selection of various kinds some gamers swear by, and typically there are 4 predominant methods. For reference, the heel refers back to the level the place the blade curves away from the shaft, and the toe refers back to the rounded finish of the blade.
Traditional: Beginning on the heel and ending on the toe, this methodology tapes many of the blade, leaving solely a small quantity uncovered at every finish. This tends to offer extra grip while you’re passing or capturing.
Sock: This includes taping your complete blade from the beginning of the heel to the top of the toe, making it seem like you might have a sock overlaying the top of your stick.
Toe: Gamers who do not need to cowl their complete blade normally begin on the midpoint of the blade and tape right down to the top of the toe. This implies the puck will slide down the blade sooner for a faster wrist shot, however that comes with a lack of management when taking a slap shot or catching a go.
5-Strand: If you don’t need to spend so much of time taping your blade, this methodology begins a bit nearer to the toe than mid-blade, with 5 wraps round it till you attain the toe.
As soon as the tape is utilized, many gamers like to use some stick wax over the taped space of the blade. This enhances the resistance to ice and moisture whereas making certain the integrity of the tape for so long as doable.
Widespread Errors to Keep away from When Taping
Getting the very best outcomes out of your tape job means being cautious to keep away from a few of the most typical errors gamers make, together with:
Utilizing an excessive amount of tape: Often there is not any have to wrap your complete shaft of your keep on with tape. You will simply find yourself burning via your roll that a lot sooner — and perhaps get some bizarre seems within the locker room.
Not utilizing hockey tape: Hockey tape is made particularly for bettering the grip of your stick. Different tapes like masking tape, duct tape and packing tape will not provide the identical kind of floor and will even injury your stick.
Being sloppy: In case you overlap the tape or apply it with wrinkles, it may create an uneven floor that leads to wonky pictures or passes. Be sure you apply it evenly and thoroughly so there aren’t any bizarre spots.
Suggestions for Sustaining Taped Sticks
A great tape job is price saving, which is why it’s best to be sure to comply with greatest practices for holding your taped sticks in good situation:
Use high quality tape: Before everything, be sure to’re shopping for high-quality tape that can stand as much as the trials of play.
Retailer sticks in a dry place: This prevents moisture from gathering within the tape and contributing to deterioration.
Substitute worn tape ASAP: In case you see tape that is frayed, peeling or beginning to lose its tackiness, exchange it as quickly as you may.
Clear your stick earlier than taping: Cleansing your stick earlier than taping helps it stick extra successfully and ensures it would last more.
With a bit care and a spotlight, you may maintain your taped sticks in prime situation for so long as doable.
Get Artistic and Have Enjoyable!
Possibly the very best recommendation you may get about discovering the appropriate hockey tape kinds for you is that this: Hit the ice! The extra you play, the extra you will study what’s enjoyable for you and what feels most pure. Upon getting that discovered, the appropriate option to tape your stick will come to you as naturally as lacing up your skates. Right here at ProStockHockey.com, we now have a variety of sticks sourced straight from professional locker rooms. We even embody a number of rolls of tape so you can begin experimenting on the easiest way to tape your hockey stick immediately! Get in contact with us immediately to start out procuring and study extra.
