Common Hockey Stick Taping Mistakes and How to Fix Them

A bad tape job is easy to spot on the ice: tape peeling at the toe, a lump under the puck, a stick that slides out of your hand. Almost every one comes from a handful of mistakes. Here they are, roughly in the order they happen.

Before you tape

1. Taping over old tape

New tape on top of old tape leaves lumps and edges where the puck sits. Strip the blade first, then clear the residue so the new wrap lies flat. Our residue guide shows how.

2. Cutting tape off with a knife against the blade

A patent for a tape-cutting tool notes that using a knife or razor to strip tape risks scoring the blade, which is why players usually avoid it. Peel by hand, and warm stubborn spots with a hair dryer.

3. Taping a wet or cold blade

Tape adhesive is made to work at room temperature. Wikipedia’s article on pressure-sensitive adhesives says cold makes them firm and less tacky. A damp or icy blade gives the tape nothing clean to grab. Dry the stick and tape it indoors. See storing tape in heat and cold.

4. Taping over a crack

This is the one mistake tape cannot fix. Blade Tech Hockey says minor chips can be sealed with fibreglass tape to keep moisture out, but cracks are structural damage. A cracked stick needs a professional repair at best, and then only for practice. Replace it.

On the blade

5. Uneven overlap

Wide gaps next to heavy overlaps make the blade feel inconsistent. HockeyMonkey’s guide says to keep the spacing consistent. Angle the roll slightly and watch the edge of the last pass, not the roll. See how much to overlap.

6. Slack tension

Loose tape bubbles, creases and lifts early. GoalieMonkey’s guide says to aim for a consistent layer with no bubbles or creases. Keep steady tension on the roll the whole way.

7. Stopping and restarting mid-blade

Each restart leaves a seam. Tape the blade in one pass if you can.

8. Ragged ends

A torn, frayed end at the toe or bottom edge is where the tape starts to peel. Trim it clean and press the edge down with your thumb. Lowry’s waxing guide names the bottom edge as one of the spots that wears and gets wet most, so it is worth the extra care.

9. More tape than you need

Inline Warehouse’s guide to tape jobs says more tape adds a little weight and changes puck feel, and that a full “sock” job uses the most tape. If your blade feels heavy or dead, try a mid-blade or lighter job.

10. Forgetting the wax

Not a mistake for everyone, but bare cloth soaks up water. Lowry says wet tape can reduce control and add weight. If you play on wet or outdoor ice, wax it. See stick wax.

On the handle

11. A knob that is the wrong size

Too small and the stick slides out on poke checks. Too big and your top hand cannot move. HockeyMonkey’s test: build a few wraps at a time and stop when your little finger wraps comfortably around the knob with your glove on. See how big a knob should be.

12. Leaving the end of the shaft open

Hockey Canada Rule 3.3(d) says the end of every stick’s shaft must be covered, and a hollow shaft needs a protective cap as well. USA Hockey Rule 301(a) says the end of a hollow shaft must be fully covered. Tape over the end, and do not remove the cap.

13. A coloured knob on a goalie stick

NHL Rule 10.2 requires a goalie stick to have a white knob at least 1/2 inch thick. Scouting The Refs reported that when Frederik Andersen used a red knob in 2021, officials covered it with white tape. Skaters can use any colour.

After you tape

14. Storing rolls loose in the bag

North American Tapes says a hard knock to the side of a roll can squeeze the adhesive layers and make edge threads break later. It suggests keeping tape inside your helmet or skate.

15. Leaving the stick wet in the bag

Dry the blade after you skate. Tape that stays wet is due for a retape. See how often to retape.

Quick fixes

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
Toe peeling	Ragged end, cold blade, no wax	Trim, press, wax; retape indoors
Lump under the puck	Old tape underneath, restart mid-blade	Strip and retape in one pass
Bubbles and creases	Slack tension	Retape with steady tension
Blade feels heavy	Too much tape, wet tape	Lighter job, wax, dry the stick
Stick slides out of hand	Knob too small	Build up a few wraps
Top hand feels stuck	Knob too big	Take a few wraps off

For the full steps, follow the forward, defence (US readers say defense) or goalie tutorial.

Safety note

If you cut tape at the knob, cut across the tape on the handle with the blade pointed away from you and your other hand.