How to Tape a Kid's Hockey Stick

A kid’s stick gets taped the same way as an adult’s. The difference is how much you do. Small hands, small gloves and a short stick all point to a simpler job: less tape on the blade, a smaller knob, and nothing that gets in the way of learning to handle the puck.

The full step-by-step, shown in 3D, is in the forward tutorial. This article covers what to change for a young player.

Before you tape: size the stick

Tape goes on last. If the stick still needs cutting, cut it first, because the knob sits at the very top of the shaft.

A parents’ guide on USA Hockey’s ADM Kids site says an off-the-rack stick should be cut to fit. Its target is the chin in socks and shoes, or the top of the collarbone in skates. Bauer’s buying guide sits a little higher: about nose height in shoes, or between the chin and bottom lip in skates. See youth and junior stick sizes for the details.

The blade: keep it light

You do not need a thick, heavily overlapped wrap on a youth blade.

• Coverage. A full wrap covers the whole blade, heel to toe. A mid-blade job uses less tape and still covers where the puck sits.
• Overlap. HockeyMonkey suggests overlapping each wrap by a little less than half. On a small blade, a lighter overlap is fine and keeps the job thin.
• Colour. Any colour is legal under both Hockey Canada (Rule 3.3(e)) and USA Hockey (Rule 301(a)). Let your child pick.

Tape smoothly. GoalieMonkey’s taping guide says to aim for a wrap without air bubbles or creases.

The knob: small and simple

Youth sticks are made for small hands. Pro Stock Hockey notes that youth shafts are thinner so they fit better in smaller hands. A big knob undoes that.

• Start at the top of the shaft and wrap over the same spot a few times.
• Have your child grip it with gloves on. HockeyMonkey’s test is to stop when the little finger wraps comfortably around the knob.
• Finish with a few wraps down the shaft so the edge does not lift.

HockeyMonkey says the candy cane handle, a spiral of tape down the shaft, is popular with younger players. See knob size for small hands and the knob styles page.

Cover the end of the shaft

This part is a rule, not a choice.

• Hockey Canada Rule 3.3(d): the end of the shaft of every stick must be covered to protect against injury. A hollow shaft also needs a protective cap.
• USA Hockey Rule 301(a): the end of a hollow shaft must be fully covered.

If you cut a composite stick, you cut off the factory end cap. Put a cap or plug back in, then tape over it.

What to skip

• Grip tape on top of cloth. Small hands do not need extra bulk.
• Very long handle wraps. HockeyMonkey says handle tape commonly runs 4 to 10 inches down the shaft. On a short youth stick, stay at the low end.
• Wax, at first. It is optional. Add it later if the tape wears out fast or gets soaked. See stick wax.

Let them help

Taping is a good first equipment job for a child. Let them hold the stick steady and press the tape down while you wrap. Older kids can do the whole job with you watching.

Safety: use scissors with rounded tips for kids, or do the cutting yourself. If you use a utility knife, keep the blade pointed away from your body and your child’s hands. Never tape over a crack in a stick. See safety notes for parents.

When to retape

Retape when the blade shows through worn or torn tape, or when the knob starts to unravel. See how often to retape.