Hockey sticks are the most important tools for any hockey player. They are essential for making great plays and scoring goals. But as you know, hockey is a hard game, and players can get injured. The best way to protect your stick is to tape it. But why do players tape their sticks?
Do NHL Players Tape Their Sticks?
- Yes, NHL players tape their sticks.
They tape them a lot. It’s not just a little bit of tape here or there; players typically have at least five layers of tape on their sticks. The reasoning is that different layers of tape create different textures and give the puck more grip on the stick.
When you’re playing hockey, you want your stick to feel like an extension of your body. You want it to be easy and natural to control the puck. That’s why players often spend hours upon hours perfecting their technique and using different types of tape on their sticks. Therefore, they’re comfortable with how they hold the stick in their hands and move it around on the ice.
Why Do Hockey Players Tape Their Sticks?
It’s a common sight at any hockey game: players taping their sticks. But why do they do it?
There are a few reasons.
Protection
When you think of a hockey stick, you probably think of a long piece of wood with an end. But a hockey stick comprises seven parts: the head, butt end, mid-section, heel, toe, and blade. The blade is the hockey stick part that connects to the puck and makes contact with the ice during play.
The blade has three key functions: it acts as a lever for pushing off when skating forward; it helps you control your shot when shooting, and it helps you stop when turning or stopping suddenly. Because these three things are so important for winning games and scoring goals (which is why we watch hockey), it’s important to protect your blade from anything that might get in its way or damage you while playing. That’s why hockey players tape their blades!
Hockey players tape their sticks because they want to keep them in good condition so they can perform well on the ice. They also want to protect themselves against injuries caused by improper use of their equipment (like hitting someone else with them).
Grip
The most common reason is to generate more grip on the puck. This is important because it allows the player to get better control over the puck and improve their accuracy.
In addition, hockey players use tape to add weight to their sticks to create more power when shooting the puck. This can be especially important if you’re playing against a team with stronger players than yours. Or if your team is using lighter sticks than usual because they’re trying to shoot harder than normal.
The tape also helps generate more speed while skating. This is because when you’re skating fast with your hands off your stick, it’s easy for them to slip off of it and hit you in the back of the head, which hurts! You can keep those appendages close to your body where they belong by taping up your stick.
Puck Contol
Hockey players tape their sticks for puck control. The stick is the primary tool of the hockey player, and it’s important to have a grip on your stick that is comfortable and secure and allows you to control where the puck goes.
When you’re playing hockey, a lot is going on: You need to react quickly enough so that when someone shoots at the net, you don’t miss your chance to get the puck in. You must also hold onto the puck long enough to pass it off. Also, sometimes that means keeping your stick from getting stuck in someone else’s feet or legs as they try to steal it from you!
Taping your stick helps with both of these things. It ensures that your grip will remain secure and steady no matter what happens during play (like if someone trips over your feet). Therefore allow you more control over where you aim and shoot the puck.
Pick Up the Stick Easier
Tapping your hockey stick makes it easier to pick up your stick when you drop it. You can get a better grip on it, and it will be much easier to scoop up from the ground. This is especially helpful if you play a game where many people are around. Or if you are playing with younger kids who might not be as careful with their sticks.
The other reason why players tape their sticks is so that they can generate more power when they hit the puck. Taping your stick allows you to get more power because your wrists will be able to rotate faster than normal since they have been wrapped tightly in tape.
How Often Do Hockey Players Tape Their Sticks?
Hockey players tape their sticks a lot. It’s not unusual for them to re-tape their sticks during games; some players tape the stick multiple times daily.
The reason is simple: when a puck hits your stick, it can be hard on the tool you use to hold it. If you’re playing every day or multiple times per week, keeping your stick in working order as much as possible is important. That’s why hockey players tape their sticks so often. They want them ready for action when they need it most!
When you tape your stick, you’re creating a layer between the shaft wood and any other surface that could damage it. This layer can be made out of several different materials. Cloth, cotton gauze, or even paper towels are all popular choices among hockey players who want to protect their tools from wear and tear.
Hockey players also tend to use two types of tape: athletic and hockey. Athletic tape is typically used by people who play sports like basketball or football. Because it provides more cushioning than standard adhesive tapes, this type of tape is not designed specifically for hockey players.
Conclusion
Hockey players tape their sticks for various reasons, but the most common is to prevent the stick from breaking. Others use tape to protect the stick from wear and tear and to improve grip. Hockey tape is also used to secure pucks in the crease and to keep players from getting tripped.
- Related: What to Wear to a Hockey Game?
