How to Tape a Hockey Stick: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why Every Player Should Tape Their Stick

Taping your hockey stick is one of the simplest — and most effective — ways to enhance your stick performance. A well-taped stick gives you better puck control, blade protection, and a more reliable grip during every shift.

Whether you’re using custom hockey sticks, NHL hockey sticks, or an off-the-shelf model, proper taping makes sure your gear performs the way you need it to. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from taping the blade and taping the butt end to adding hockey grip tape and optional ribs for extra control.

Key Advantages of a Well-Taped Stick

A good tape job does more than just look sharp; professional players at every level depend on properly taped sticks for control, protection, and comfort. Here’s why it matters:

• Improved grip and handling: Prevents slipping during stickhandling and shooting.
• Enhanced puck control: Keeps the puck on your blade longer and improves shot accuracy.
• Longer stick life: Protects your stick blade from wear, chips, and moisture damage.

Want to see how the pros do it? Explore real setups on our NHL player sticks page for inspiration.

How Often Should You Tape Your Hockey Stick?

How often you retape depends on how you play — your position, frequency of shots, and ice conditions. Players who handle the puck frequently should re-tape more often than those who rely on defensive positioning.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Forwards: Tape before each game for consistent feel and puck spin.
• Defensemen: Every few games is fine — focus on durability and protection.
• Goalie Sticks: Re-tape less often but ensure smooth coverage for reliable rebounds.
• Youth players: Encourage frequent taping to teach good hockey stick maintenance habits. See our youth hockey sticks for more starter-friendly gear.

How to Tape the Blade of Your Stick

When learning how to tape a hockey stick, start with the blade — it’s where puck control begins. Follow this heel-to-toe method for the best results:

1. Prepare your materials. You’ll need hockey stick tape — cloth tape works best for grip and protection.
2. Start at the heel. With your stick flat on the ground, begin taping just above where the heel meets the ice.
3. Overlap each layer. Wrap tightly from heel to toe, overlapping each pass by about half the tape’s width.
4. Cover the curve. Continue wrapping along the blade’s curve, confirming no gaps.
5. Smooth it out. Press the tape firmly to avoid bubbles and create a clean, even surface.

A smooth heel-to-toe wrap not only improves puck spin but also adds a layer of durability. If you want more inspiration, check out stick taping trends for ideas from the pros.

How to Tape the Butt End of Your Stick

The butt end gives your top hand stability and control, helping you handle your stick confidently. How thick or thin you make it depends on your glove fit and comfort.

Here’s how to get it just right:

• Build a proper knob. Wrap several laps of tape at the top for a secure grip.
• Adjust to your gloves. Larger gloves may need a thicker knob for balance.
• Finish with control. Spiral tape down a few inches for added texture.

For a closer look at different tape types and textures, explore our full guide on choosing the best stick tape.

How to Add Grip Ribs with Tape

Adding ribs (often called the “candy cane” style) helps you feel consistent hand placement — especially useful for quick stickhandling.

To create ribs:

• Start by twisting a short length of tape into a thin rope.
• Wrap it diagonally down the handle, spacing each turn about a finger’s width apart.
• Cover it with a final layer of smooth tape for a professional finish.

Benefits of grip ribs:

• Better hand positioning and control
• Added grip during shots and passes
• A more customized feel

For players experimenting with stick setups, check out our stick sizing charts to find the perfect fit before taping.

Taping Tips and Common Mistakes

Even the most seasoned players can make small errors that affect stick performance. Keep these dos and don’ts top of mind for your next tape job:

Do:

• Use consistent tension for smooth coverage.
• Overlap each wrap slightly for durability.
• Replace old tape before it frays or loses tackiness.

Don’t:

• Leave gaps between wraps, as they cause uneven puck contact.
• Overbuild your knob or grip; it can reduce stick feel.
• Forget to press down edges — loose tape peels fast.

Need more maintenance guidance? Check out our hockey equipment & accessories section for trusted gear care solutions.

Ready to Test Your Tape Job?

Now that you know how to tape a hockey stick from top to bottom, it’s time to hit the ice and see how it feels. Experiment with new tape types, grip styles, and patterns to find your perfect setup — and don’t forget to match it with the right hockey stick flex for your shooting style.

Shop Hockey Tape | Shop Hockey Sticks

If you’re new to hockey, no doubt you want to do things right. Figuring out how to tape your hockey stick can be a bit of a sticky situation. If you’re a seasoned player, you know two things when it comes to taping your hockey stick. Fresh tape enhances your performance; and you want tacky tape, not a tacky tape job.

Ultimately, there are no rules when it comes to how to tape a hockey stick. It’s a personal preference thing. Taping your hockey stick is a personal alchemy that’s part comfort, part style, and part performance.

But there are basics — for instance, how often should you tape your hockey stick? — that we’re here to teach you. Even goalies. Everything we’re sharing also applies to goalie sticks.

How Often Should You Tape Your Hockey Stick?

The short answer is it depends.

If you handle the puck a lot, you’re probably going to want a fresh layer of tape before every game. If you’re a dangler, definitely. If you tend to snap off a bunch of wristers, yep. Defensemen and goalies are probably going to be able to get away with taping less frequently.

Just remember, whether you like the “broken in” look of tape that is less than pristine or showroom-new perfection (again, personal preference), remember that fresh tape will protect your blade from wear and tear.

Taping Your Hockey Stick Blade

We know we’ve leaned into the preference thing, but when it comes to how to tape your hockey stick blade, there is a right way and a wrong way. You want to tape from heel to toe.

Taping from your blade’s heel to its toe will keep the puck on your stick a fraction of a second longer and increase the spin on your shots. Standing with the bottom of the blade flat against the ice, note the point at which the heel is clear of the playing surface — that’s where you start taping. Overlap the first layer to secure the loose end, then continuously wrap toward the toe, consistently overlapping a little less than half of the previous course. Stop as you started, where the bottom of the blade curves off the playing surface. No gaps between laps and smoothed edges will ensure a smoother release.

Taping the Top & Butt End of Your Stick

This part of a tape job is all about feel. Too much grip leaves some players feeling like their hands are slow. Too little leaves others feeling disconnected. The top section doesn’t need as much tape as the blade because it generally stays clear of the friction and moisture of the ice. If you’re unsure of how to tape the top of your hockey stick, test a few variations game to game and see which style you most like playing with.

While they come in a wide range of sizes, there’s no special trick to how to put a butt end on your hockey stick. Built up of several laps of tape, the butt end (or knob) size depends on personal preference. Whatever size you prefer, a proper butt end should help everything from hanging onto your stick while poke checking to anchoring the fulcrum that is your top hand for max power on a slap shot. The size of your hands as well as the profile of your gloves will help determine how big to make the butt end.

How to Tape Ribs on Your Grip

No tip sheet about how to tape your stick would be complete without a few words about ribs. This “candy cane” look basically creates finger stalls between rolled ridges of tape to give extra grip and consistent positioning for your top hand.

While it looks difficult to create, it’s easier than it looks and requires only one extra piece of tape. Make your knob first. Then take a good foot of tape and twist it into a noodle shape. Starting at the butt, wrap it with a gloved finger width between courses. Cover the ribs with a layer of regular tape and you’re all set.

Go Out and Play!

Now that you know how to wrap your hockey stick, it’s time to get out and test your new tape job. Here at ProStockHockey.com, we’re proud to be your go-to source for information and equipment. We even offer youth hockey sticks and hockey tape at some of the best prices in the industry!