Every great shot starts with tape.

How to pick it, how to wrap it, and why every player in Canada has an opinion about it.

Heel first. Anchor the roll on the back of the blade.
Spiral to the toe. Overlap every pass. Keep it tight and flat.
Wax it. Then play. Rub it matte so the ice stays off.

Four tapes. Four jobs.

Most players only think about the blade. A fully kitted stick and set of gear uses four kinds of tape, each made for something different.

Cloth tape

Blade

Woven cotton tape with a rubber adhesive. It protects the blade, softens the puck on your passes and gives you something to feel on the stickhandle.
Grip tape

Handle

A thicker, tacky tape for the top of the shaft. It keeps your top hand from slipping and builds up the knob.
Stick wax

Over the cloth

Rubbed over fresh cloth tape so snow and water bead off instead of soaking in. Waxed tape stays lighter and grips the puck longer.
Clear tape

Shin pads and socks

Thin, stretchy polyethylene tape that holds socks and shin pads in place without adding bulk.

Forward, defence or goalie.

Your position shapes your tape job. Six blade styles, six knobs and the patterns each position leans on, all illustrated.

Taping is a ritual, too. Read the lore of the tape, from the pre-game tape job to the tape ball on every kid's shelf.

Fast at the rink.

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Every great shot starts with tape.

Four tapes. Four jobs.

Cloth tape

Grip tape

Stick wax

Clear tape

Forward, defence or goalie.

Try it before you rip it.

Fast at the rink.