Every way to tape a stick.

No two players tape the same way, and that is the point. These are the common starting points. Make them yours.

Blade styles

Full blade, heel to toe tape job on a forward's hockey blade, rendered in 3D.

Full blade, heel to toe

The classic. Every part of the blade is covered, so the puck sits on tape wherever it lands. Most players learn this one first.

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Full blade, toe to heel tape job on a forward's hockey blade, rendered in 3D.

Full blade, toe to heel

Same coverage, opposite direction. The overlapping edges point the other way, and some players swear it changes how the puck rolls off on the forehand.

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Mid-blade tape job on a forward's hockey blade, rendered in 3D.

Mid-blade

Only the middle of the blade, where most passes are caught and most shots leave. Lighter, quicker to do, and the bare heel and toe glide on the ice.

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Heel half tape job on a forward's hockey blade, rendered in 3D.

Heel half

From the heel to the middle. Covers the part of the blade that meets most passes and leaves the toe bare and light for toe drags.

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Light wrap tape job on a forward's hockey blade, rendered in 3D.

Light wrap

Edge to edge with almost no overlap. One thin layer means the least weight and the most direct feel for the puck.

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Heavy wrap, waxed tape job on a forward's hockey blade, rendered in 3D.

Heavy wrap, waxed

Wide tape at half overlap builds a cushion that softens hard passes and lasts longer between tape jobs. Wax keeps all that cloth from soaking up water.

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Knob styles

The knob is the part of the stick you hold onto when everything else goes wrong. It is also where players get creative.

No knob on the handle of a hockey stick, rendered in 3D.

No knob

A bare shaft end. Some players like the smooth feel and slide their top hand freely.

Simple knob on the handle of a hockey stick, rendered in 3D.

Simple knob

A few tight wraps at the very end. Stops the stick slipping out of your glove and nothing more.

Candy cane on the handle of a hockey stick, rendered in 3D.

Candy cane

A spiral down the handle with gaps between passes, then a knob on top. The spiral gives texture where your top hand moves.

Ladder on the handle of a hockey stick, rendered in 3D.

Ladder

Twist strips of tape into ropes, lay them around the shaft a finger-width apart, then wrap over them. You get ridges to lock your fingers against.

Extended knob on the handle of a hockey stick, rendered in 3D.

Extended knob

A long wrapped section running down from the top. Handy if you choke up on the stick or move your top hand a lot.

Grip tape and knob on the handle of a hockey stick, rendered in 3D.

Grip tape and knob

Grip tape down the upper shaft with a cloth knob on top. Tacky where you hold it, solid at the end.

By position

Your job on the ice shapes your tape job. These are the patterns you will see most in Canadian dressing rooms.

A forward's stick with black tape on the middle of the blade, rendered in 3D. A small, simple black knob on a forward's stick.

Forward

Forwards handle the puck the most, so feel comes first. Many keep the tape job light: mid-blade or full blade with modest overlap, and a small knob that lets the top hand slide during dekes and quick shots.

  • Thin layer, often black or white
  • Fresh tape before games to keep the feel consistent
  • Small or simple knob

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A defender's stick with full, heavily overlapped white tape, waxed, rendered in 3D. A ridged ladder knob in white tape on a defender's stick.

Defence

Defenders block shots, take hard passes and reach for poke checks. A full blade with heavier overlap holds up to the punishment, and a bigger knob gives a firm grip with one hand at full reach.

  • Full blade, more overlap, often waxed
  • Built-up or ridged knob for one-handed control
  • Tape replaced as soon as it frays

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A goalie stick with white tape on the whole blade and the lower paddle, rendered in 3D. A large white goalie knob.

Goalie

A goalie stick has a wide blade and a tall paddle. Goalies usually tape the whole blade and part of the lower paddle, where pucks hit hardest. The knob is often big, which makes the stick easier to grab off the ice and harder to lose from the blocker glove.

  • Full blade plus the bottom of the paddle
  • Large knob, sometimes a long wrapped section
  • Tape colour often matched to the pads and blocker

Spin this stick in 3D