How do you tape your bandy stick in 2026

Summary: Here we walk you through how to tape your bandy stick step-by-step: the blade, the knob, and the shaft. This article is aimed at those who already play and want a taping job that lasts through the entire session. You will get concrete techniques, the right tape for the right part of the stick, and a routine for changing tape without any hassle.

There are ten minutes left until the match. Someone in the locker room holds up their stick, and the tape on the blade is gray, frayed at the edges, and half-peeled off. The knob has thinned out at the top, and the shaft feels slippery in the glove. That player spends the first five minutes adjusting their grip instead of playing. We see it in almost every team, especially when the ice has been laid and the season kicks off and everyone tapes in a rush.

Taping a bandy stick is quick when you have a set procedure. The blade is taped to protect it against wear and moisture. The knob is taped so that the hand has something to hold against. The shaft gets grip where the hands are placed. Each part has its own task and its own tape. If you mix them up, you will notice it after about 20 minutes on the ice, when the tape starts to come off exactly where you don’t want it to.

Here we show you how we do it, in what order, and which tape is suitable for where. Bring your stick and a roll, and you can tape while you read.

Start with the blade: how to get a taping job that lasts

The blade takes the most wear, as it meets the ice and the ball throughout the session. Start with a clean and dry surface. Wipe away snow, ice, and dirt with a cloth, because tape on a wet blade will come off in a minute, and then you have taped for nothing. Sit down, lay the stick over your knee, and take your time.

Use CCM Cloth Tape to tape the blade. It is 25 mm wide, strongly adhesive, and has a water-repellent surface that keeps moisture away longer. The roll is 25 meters, so it lasts for several sticks. Start at the end of the blade closest to the shaft, overlap the tape by about half its width, and pull with even tension toward the tip. If you release the tension along the way, the tape will become wavy and collect water in the seams.

When you reach the tip, fold over the last piece and press it down with your thumb. Leave a small tab that you can grab the next time the tape needs to be removed. Then smooth it out with your palm along the entire blade so that the adhesive takes hold. In practice, a whole blade takes two to three minutes, and you can do it in the locker room without stressing.

If you want a tape that can be chosen in several colors, use Howies Cloth Tape to tape the blade. It is a premium tape from the USA with 68 threads per inch, and the manufacturer describes it as tape designed to last match after match. Try it on a spare blade first and compare how it sits after two sessions.

The knob: build it so the hand doesn't slip

The knob is where one hand rests when you shoot and receive. It should provide a clear stop for the hand. Many players tape too little and end up with a knob that feels pointed after the first session. Others apply too much and get a lump that takes up space in the glove. Aim for an even shape that you can replicate every time.

Use CCM Cloth Tape to build the knob. Lay the tape over the top of the shaft and fold it down the sides. Then wind in a spiral downwards with about a one-third overlap, until you have four to six layers at the top. Finish with a few turns straight around the shaft so that the edge lies flat. Squeeze the knob in your hand and feel if it sits firmly. You should be able to pull on it without the tape moving.

Keep a spare roll in your bag if you play a lot. Use Howies Cloth Tape to top up the knob mid-week if you notice it has thinned out. That way, you avoid tearing everything off and starting over, and the shape remains as you are used to.

A simple test: take the stick with your glove on and loosen your grip slightly. If your hand slips off the knob, you need another layer. Do this test in the locker room before the session, never in the middle of it. We have seen teams where the entire defensive line went out with differently sized knobs, and it is noticeable in how they receive passes in the first period. Decide on a common standard in the team, so that new players can copy it.

The shaft: grip where the hand sits

On the shaft, other rules apply. Here, the tape should provide the hand with friction and feel. A common mistake is to wind the same cloth tape on the shaft as on the blade, which gives you a grip with less friction than you are used to. The grip zone is the places where the hands rest, i.e., closest under the knob and a bit further down where the other hand sits.

Use Grip Tape to tape the grip zone. It is stretchy, made of cotton and spandex, and conforms to the shaft. It does not stick to the glove and comes in seven colors. Start under the knob, apply the tape with about a one-third overlap, and pull with light tension. If you pull too hard, the grip will be hard and your hand will get tired. Finish by pressing down the end and making a straight cut.

Use Grip & Stick Kit to try more than one grip solution at once. The kit contains grip tape, LizardSkins grip tape, and Howies Hockey Stick Wax. The wax is made for hockey blades, so you can leave that alone if you only play bandy. The grip tape has a non-slip surface and a self-adhesive back, and you can compare it with the grip tape on two different sticks.

Change the grip tape when the surface starts to get shiny or when the edges come loose. Otherwise, the stick will slip in your hand just when you need the grip the most. Feel it with your glove on, because that is where you notice the difference. If you have two sticks, tape them the same way so that the grip feels familiar when you switch in the middle of a match.

The routine: changing, drying, and removing

Good taping is a habit. The players who are most on top of their equipment re-tape their stick regularly, dry it after the session, and have a permanent place for their gear. It takes a few minutes each time. Make it a routine, for example after every match or every other practice, so you don't have to tape in a panic.

After the session, dry the stick with a cloth, especially the blade. Moisture left between the tape and the wood causes the tape to come off faster. Let the stick dry leaning against a wall or in a rack. Check the edges of the blade every time. If the tape starts to come off at the tip, replace it, because that is where the wear is greatest.

When old tape needs to be removed, pull slowly from the end of the tab and hold the stick firmly with your other hand. Use Jaybird Cloth Tape to re-tape the blade. It is polyester-reinforced, water-repellent, and can be removed without leaving residue on the blade. That way, you avoid scraping and rubbing before the next round.

Keep the tape in a box or bag that is easy to find. Put in a roll of cloth tape, a roll of Grip Tape, and a pair of scissors, and you have everything you need. Refill when something runs out, not the day before the match. You might want to put a "buy tape" note on the door at home when the last roll starts to run thin. If you have a couple of sticks in circulation, re-tape them the same evening so you always have a ready spare.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I change the tape on the blade?

It depends on how much you play and how hard the blade hits the ice, but a good rule of thumb is to change after every match or when the tape becomes gray, uneven, or starts to come off at the edges. Use CCM Cloth Tape to apply a new, clean layer when needed. Look especially at the tip, because that is where wear is visible first, and replace it sooner rather than later. Peel off the old tape in one slow pull from the end of the tab, so there is less residue left on the blade. Do the change in the locker room with plenty of time, not in the arena just before the match. It only takes a few minutes, and you will be taping on a dry surface that gives the adhesive the best possible hold. If you play several matches a week, you may need to change more often, and then it is better to have a ready spare stick than to re-tape in a hurry. You are welcome to write a date with a marker on the shaft when you have taped, so you can see directly how long the tape has been on.

White or black tape on the blade?

It is a matter of taste, but we usually say this: choose the color based on how you want to see the condition of the blade. White shows dirt and wear early, which makes you see when it is time to replace it. Black hides most of it. Use Howies Cloth Tape to choose the color you prefer, as it comes in several colors. Many teams choose the same color for a uniform look, and then it is easier to buy larger quantities at once. Try both on separate sticks for a week and feel what suits you best. Feel free to ask a teammate for a second opinion, because others often see the condition of the blade more clearly than you do from a distance. Afterward, you know which color to order next time, and you don’t have to hesitate in the store. A tip is to choose a color that differs from the opposing team's sticks, so that you easily recognize your own in a pile after the match.

How much should the tape overlap on the blade?

About half the width. It provides double layers everywhere, and the tape becomes strong enough without being thick. Use CCM Cloth Tape to practice on a blade that you are going to replace anyway, and feel the difference between half and a third. Pull with even tension all the way and press the tape down with your thumb when you are finished, all the way from the shaft to the tip. If the seams become visible or wavy, remove and start over immediately, because then the tape will come off quickly. The more evenly you apply it, the longer it stays on the blade before it needs to be replaced. It is not an art, just a few rounds of practice, and after the third stick, it happens automatically. Let someone else in the team look at the result, because an outside look quickly detects if the tape is crooked or has air bubbles. Spend time making the first turn straight, because that turn determines how the rest of the tape will lie.

How do I tape the knob so that the hand doesn't slip?

Build it up in several layers and finish straight. Use CCM Cloth Tape to apply tape over the top, fold it down the sides, and wind a spiral downwards with a one-third overlap. Four to six layers usually provide a knob that is stable without being too large. Finish with a few turns straight around so that the edge lies flat. Test with your glove on: if the hand slips when you lighten your grip, add another layer. If you have large hands or thick gloves, you may need one layer less, so adjust it for yourself. Do it the same way every time so that the knob feels the same on all your sticks. If you change sticks during the season, tape the new one the same way before the first session, so you don't have to get used to a new shape in the middle of match tempo. Feel free to save a picture of the knob when it is perfect, so you have a reference for next time.

Can I use grip tape on the blade?

No, grip tape belongs in the shaft's grip zone. It is stretchy and soft, made to give the hand friction and feel. You tape the blade with cloth tape, because it is made for that specific part of the stick. Use Grip Tape to tape the parts of the shaft where the hands rest, and leave the blade and knob to the cloth tape. If you have tried both in the wrong place, you will notice the difference immediately, because the grip changes its feel when the tape is where it shouldn't be. Use Grip & Stick Kit to compare grip tape with LizardSkins grip tape on the shaft, but keep the blade and shaft separate there too. Store the rolls in different compartments in your bag, so you don't pick the wrong one in a hurry. Feel free to mark the rolls with a piece of colored tape so you find the right one immediately. If you also have players on the team who tape for each other, it can be good for everyone to use the same system, so that no one accidentally takes the wrong roll when it's urgent.

What do I do if the blade gets wet during the match?

Wipe off the blade with a cloth at every shift and repair the tape during the break if it has started to come off. Use Jaybird Cloth Tape to have a water-repellent tape that withstands moisture better, and keep a small roll and scissors in your bag so you can repair an edge that has come loose. If snow or ice is in the tape, brush it off first, otherwise the new tape will stick to moisture. If the blade is very wet, dry it with a dry cloth and wait a couple of minutes before applying new, and press the tape down extra carefully. A quick repair during the break is often enough to get through the rest of the match without re-taping the entire blade, and you avoid losing focus when the game starts again. Ask a teammate to hold the stick while you tape; then it goes faster. After the match, remove the repair and re-tape the blade properly in peace and quiet at home.

How do I tape a stick for a junior?

Keep it simple and do it together. Use Grip Tape to give a younger player a shaft that sits well in the hand, and let them choose the color among the seven available. If you want to give them something to try, there is Grip & Stick Kit, where they can compare grip tape and grip bands. Show how to overlap and pull with even tension, and let them do it themselves while you watch. Kids learn quickly when they get to do it, and a stick they have taped themselves often sits better because they know how it should feel. Make sure they are sitting down and have good light, so the result looks neater. Keep it short, two to three minutes per stick, and correct gently when it gets wavy. If you praise what turned out straight and neat, they will want to do it again. Ask the parents to help with the blade and knob in the beginning, and gradually hand over more of the responsibility to the player themselves.

How do I remove old tape without leaving residue?

Pull slowly, in a smooth motion, from the end of the tab toward the tip. Hold the stick firmly with the other hand and pull the tape at a low angle against the wood. Use Jaybird Cloth Tape to re-tape the blade, because it is easy to remove without leaving residue. If there is residue anyway, you can wipe it off with a dry cloth and rub gently along the grain of the wood. Do not scrape with a sharp edge, as that can damage the blade and create an uneven surface that the tape then has trouble sticking to. After removal, let the blade air out for a few minutes before applying new tape, so the adhesive gets a grip immediately. Feel free to do it after practice instead of before the match, so the stick is ready for the next session and you don't have to start the day with a chore. Feel free to put on a new tab immediately when the new tape is in place, so the next removal becomes just as easy.