Also, there are different colors of cloth tape, giving players the choice to personalize their sticks. Heel-to-toe or toe-to-heel, it really doesnt matter: Some will argue the direction you tape your stick, whether heel-to-toe or toe-to-heel, adds a certain control of or spin to the puck. View all post by Clint McCormick | Website, Your email address will not be published. Use hockey tape to add grip to your sticks handle, shaft, and blade. Anyway, the serrated edge on this new tape -- available exclusively in black, by the way -- doesn't make tearing the tape any easier. 5) Bauer X Hockey Stick. 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. You know, where I've said your tape job should end. For detailed instructions, refer to our How to Tape a Hockey Stick guidelines. This type gives players a better grip and more control over the stick. Actual sales may not . 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 1995-96 season, he put up 68 goals and 58 assists in just 68 games. No tape job is going to hinder the Bauer Sling, so tape it the same way you would a conventional stick. This is an updated version of Bobby Orrs famous 2-strand tape job. The only difference is you must cover more area and its all based on personal preference. Skating into the Sunset: When Youth Hockey Ends, Going Bar Down -- Help with Lifting the Puck, Positionless Puck Chasers in Youth Hockey. Grip tape is typically thinner and smoother than hockey stick tape. Also great for stickhandling in tight spaces. If you want to match your teams uniform and your stick handling wont suffer, then feel free to do so. 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. 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? A higher lie, like six, will cater towards players who skate more upright, with the puck closer to their body. 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. You wont find many players taping their blades from toe to heel unless they use the toe tape job. If you are playing at a highly-competitive youth or collegiate level, where you are on the ice every single day, there is a higher chance of your stick blade developing stress fractures in the toe and heel areas. Were excited to read what you have to say. 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. How to Wrap a Hockey Stick Also, many players will begin the candy cane down their shaft, beginning a few inches below the bottom or end of their butt end. 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. View Hockey Stick Patterns that are listed as having Toe Curves are often preferred by forwards as they will allow them to lift the puck quicker and easier during shooting in tight spaces. The vulcanized rubber helps repel water and flatten your tape job. The tape is very thin which enables you to get an excellent feel on your stick. Always use white tape to make it easier to see the puck when youre stickhandling. This article was originally published on January 24, 2020, and has been updated with new information. For the player who needs clear poly hockey tape to secure their shin guards, we have plenty of options from Renfrew and Howies. Regarding the Humboldt Broncos Tragedy #HPCX1X, A post shared by Hockey Players Club (@hockeyplayersclub) on Aug 31, 2019 at 10:58am PDT. Weve built HockeyMonkey.ca specifically for our Canadian Customers. Shipping: US $32.05 Expedited Shipping. Sometimes, if I dont play well, I change to black. Now on the black vs. white debate, I've heard it all. Fiberglass/graphite splinters arent fun! Get all the latest information on Events, Sales and Offers. Okay, so years ago I wrote an article about taping hockey sticks and when to do it. But if that is your reality, many players prefer avoiding tape along the bottom edge of their blades to reduce scuffing and friction of their blade to the playing surface. $3.27. Mid Curves are a balance of the two. Save all of that fancy stuff for the top of your stick. 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. One roll of plain old camo tape --> it protected the rifles finish ,was camo of coarse ,and had a . Some players and goalies remove the tape and retape the stick before each game, but ultimately thats personal preference. 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. Certain content that appears on gamequarium.com comes from Amazon Services LLC. Related Articles Stand a quarter up and see if it fits inside the curve of the blade. Itll require more retaping but theres nothing quite like the texture of a fresh natural tape job. 6 Rolls Hockey Tape, Waterproof Non-Slip Camouflage Maple Leaf Stars Stripes Lacrosse Stick Tape, Easy to Stretch and Tear Hockey Stick Cloth Tape for Ice Hockey, Field Hockey, Roller Hockey, Lacrosse 5.0 (1) 3678 FREE Delivery by Amazon +12 colours/patterns 3.8 (35) 499 Get it Once you get there, continue to tape slightly past the toe to create a square shape. How a player tapes a hockey stick varies depending on personal preference. Total hack. It's a cool idea for adding a custom grip. SOME IMPORTANT DONTS BEFORE WE START TAPING OUR TWIG: We preparethe butt end, which should require the least amount of re-taping if any at all. This content is provide As Is and is subject to change or removal at any time. Let me know -- I love the feedback from all angles! Hockey tape isnt the cheapest thing in the world, but more importantly, its inconvenient to have to re-tape constantly. 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. Should You Use White Or Black Stick Tape? *Veteran tip: if your blade has tape residue leftover from your previous tape job, slide it across rubber locker room floors to collect and remove theresidue from the bottom edges of the blade. 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. It looks ridiculous. To remove hockey stick tape, start at the area that has frayed. So lucky to have so many contacts that have made it to the highest level and love how willing they are to answer questions from left field. The rolled tape can be spaced as close or as far apart as desired underneath. Guide to Hockey Parentingbetter. Not just any tape will do; more on this later. It protects the shaft and blade and since its water resistant it stays attached when wet meaning theres no need for stick wax. The Going To Boston Dice Game: Step By Step Breakdown & Tips, Our Guide To Mounting A Dartboard Correctly. Types of Tape; Black tape vs White tape; Hockey Players Club; Quick Sticks on a Budget; List of High End Sticks; Brand History. A slight curve depth provides great accuracy on all shot types and puck control but will be harder to lift the puck. Then again, who am I to question a guy who played wing on a line with Wayne Gretzky? Grip tape The grip tape is made with a cohesive material. Nowadays, most hockey sticks come in grip and non-grip versions, therefore adding some form of gripto the shaft isnt all that widespread. Youll get a better grip with your top hand if you apply regular stick tape. Dont try to unravel, as this will only lead to small chunks being removed at a time. Hey, I think I might have something of value to add to this conversation! Wrapping your blade, butt end, or shaft with hockey tape protects your equipment and adds grip, giving you advantages on the ice. If creases or wrinkles develop as you wrap the tape around the blade, simply trim off this extra with sharp scissors. That said, rather than continue to poke fun at the guys who re-tape their kid's stick before every game this around, I thought it might be a better idea to explain that there is a 'correct' way to tape your stick. Grip tape is very popular with NHL players. 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. Privacy Policy. By all means, host your fashion show up there. Sidney Crosby tapes his stick with black hockey tape with the classic method, leaving only a small portion of the toe and heel exposed. When the knob reaches the size you want, press down to compress it with your hand, and then smooth the knob. If this happens, removing the tape and any tape residue is easy because you can easily tear it off from that point. For perspective, a perfectly flat blade has a zero depth. Step 1: Clean your stick - Start by wiping down the surface of your hockey stick with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris that might prevent the tape from sticking properly. Gretzky used black tape throughout his career. We're Available via Phone, Email & Live Chat. See details The puck can and will spin right off the end of your stick. 8) Bauer Sling Grip Hockey Stick. But, again, there are always exceptions as some players like to further customize their stick with a candy cane of cloth tape down the shaft or by adding tackiness with a sticky-stick.. 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. This is because they have taped their stick thousands of times. Remember to clean your blade of any sticky residue before retaping. Also good for backhand shots. 0 In Stock. Although, there are always exceptions to the rule. The puck kind of "slides" towards the toe on the release, right? You want the blade to lie flat (have the right lie) as it will help control the puck while stickhandling, receiving passes, and shooting. Regardless of your level of experience or mastery, youve found the ultimate resource for how to tape your hockey stick and how to tape it well. Hired Gun Well-Known Member. The wax reduces the ice and water your tape job accumulates while adding tackiness to your blades exterior. 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. Hockey players tape their sticks once the current tape becomes ripped, torn or frayed. That's bad. Thanks for signing up - please check your mobile phone to confirm subscription. Players enhance the butt end with tape, building a knob that conforms to their specific grip. Bauer introduced a cutout blade in the revolutionary Sling hockey stick, leaving players wondering how to tape it. Ultimately, the color doesnt matter beyond that. Now its time to grab some stick wax! Youll also be able to find clear shinguard tape and cohesive soft-grip tape by Comp O Stik. 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. The blue arrows, again, indicate the direction the shot or pass is being directed. While goalies dont need to tape the paddle grip, many choose to add it to help control rebounds. Positionless Puck Chasers in Youth Hockey. 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. 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. Open faced blade types are, as the name states, the most open of the three. DO NOT use clear, duct, postal, or any kind of tape that isnt friction, grip, or cloth hockey tape on your stick. Honest Hockey is my opportunity to give back and use my knowledge of the game to help others make the best choices possible so all they need to do is play. It can be used on your knob to add extra grip and prolong the life of your gloves. Connor McDavid uses white tape and so does Auston Matthews. By having the tape go alllllllll the way to the end, you never get that feeling. However, it also utilizes a very open face that provide maximum lift on your shots. Players can use it on their stick blade, the butt-end of their stick, and around their hockey socks to hold their shin guards in place. And the yellow arrow indicates the direction that the puck should be spinning while on the stick blade. Great Programs have Great People Umyeah. Every one of those additional green arrows is an added push to the spin that makes shots and passes more accurate. But were here to provide some clarity. When you are ready to shoot, this method helps to add spin so your shots will be more powerful and accurate. The only thing the tape does is enhance your ability to feel where the puck is on your blade and help generate for rotation on the puck for better control and accuracy. Let us help you find your next hockey stick in 4 steps! Should I use black hockey tape or white hockey tape? Science is behind that That pattern is a little like the treads on a car's tire. This makes it more of a grip than a typical hockey stick tape in many peoples eyes. 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. Make the knob as big or as small as you prefer. Joined Apr 21, 2003 Messages 1,562 Location North Bend, Oregon. 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.