How to Tape a Hockey Stick Handle: Complete Grip Guide

Taping your stick handle is one of hockey's essential rituals. It affects your grip, your feel for the puck, your shot release, and your stick handling. Get it right, and the stick becomes an extension of your hands. Get it wrong, and you're fighting your equipment all game.

This guide covers everything: basic technique, advanced patterns, knob construction, and how to customize your tape job for your playing style.

Why Handle Taping Matters

A properly taped handle provides:

• Grip security — Prevents the stick from slipping, especially with sweaty gloves
• Tactile feedback — Feel the puck through the stick during handling
• Cushioning — Reduces vibration and hand fatigue
• Hand positioning — Consistent reference points for hand placement
• Stick retention — Helps keep the stick in your hands during battles

Building the Knob

Most players start by building a knob at the butt end of the stick. The knob prevents the stick from sliding out of your top hand and provides a reference point for hand position.

Standard Knob

1. Start at the very end of the stick
2. Wrap tape around the end, overlapping itself to build height
3. Continue until the knob is 1-2 inches tall (personal preference)
4. Smooth the transition from knob to shaft with angled wraps

Fat Knob (for better stick retention)

Build up more layers for a larger knob that's easier to grip and harder to lose during stick battles. Common with defensemen who take more abuse along the boards.

Tapered Knob (for quick hand movement)

A smaller, more gradual knob allows your top hand to slide more freely—preferred by players who frequently adjust hand position during play.

Handle Taping Patterns

After the knob, you have several options for the shaft itself:

Full Spiral Wrap

The most common method. Provides consistent grip along the entire handle.

1. Start just below the knob
2. Angle the tape slightly and spiral downward
3. Overlap each wrap by about half
4. Continue 8-12 inches down (or to preference)
5. Finish with a few level wraps to anchor

Candy Cane (Spiral with Gaps)

Tape spirals down with spaces between wraps, creating a ribbed texture.

• Uses less tape (lighter stick, less buildup)
• Creates distinct ridges for grip
• Allows some glove contact with bare shaft

Ribbed Pattern

Horizontal wraps with small gaps between, creating a series of raised rings.

• Maximum grip texture
• Clear hand position markers
• Requires more precision to keep even

Double Layer

Two complete layers of tape for maximum cushioning and grip.

• More padding for comfort
• Slightly larger grip diameter
• Heavier (may affect stick feel)

Tape Selection for Handle Work

Different tapes offer different properties:

Traditional Cloth Hockey Tape

• Adhesive-backed, very durable
• Creates firm, slightly textured grip
• Can leave residue and be difficult to remove cleanly

Self-Adhering Tape (Guard-Tex)

• Sticks to itself, not the stick—easy to adjust and remove
• No residue left on shaft
• Softer feel, more cushioning
• Excellent for players who frequently re-tape or adjust
• Can be used as an overlay on traditional tape for enhanced grip

Grip Tape/Tacky Tape

• Maximum tackiness for stick retention
• Can be too sticky for some players
• Often used as a finishing layer over standard tape

Taping for Different Positions

Forwards

Often prefer lighter tape jobs with more feel. Quick hands require less bulk.

• Moderate knob size
• Single layer spiral or candy cane pattern
• Emphasis on puck feel over cushioning

Defensemen

Need secure grip for battles and blocking shots. More cushioning preferred.

• Larger knob for stick retention
• Full coverage, possibly double layer
• Extra padding near where hands absorb blocked shots

Goalies

Blocker hand needs secure grip; catching hand needs minimal interference.

• Solid knob for blocker hand control
• Often tape higher on shaft than skaters
• Some goalies tape specific paddle areas

Maintenance and Re-Taping

Handle tape wears out. Replace when:

• Grip surface becomes smooth and slick
• Tape starts unraveling at edges
• Tape is visibly damaged or dirty
• You've lost the "feel" you want

Most players re-tape handles every few games to every few weeks, depending on ice time and preference. Self-adhering tape makes re-taping quick since it removes cleanly without residue.

Common Mistakes

• Wrapping too tight — Creates ridges and uneven surface
• Inconsistent overlap — Results in thin spots and thick spots
• Not building enough knob — Stick slips out during play
• Too much tape — Adds weight and dulls feel
• Not finishing edges — Tape unravels mid-game

The Bottom Line

Your tape job is personal. Experiment with different patterns, knob sizes, and tape types until you find what works for your game. The right setup disappears during play—you don't think about your grip, you just play.

Take the time to get it right. Your hands will thank you.