How to tape your stick for better grip (2026)

Summary: The grip on your hockey stick directly impacts your control in shooting, passing, and puck handling. This guide covers how to tape the grip zone of the shaft and build the knob, the practical differences between grip tape and LizardSkins, and how to establish a routine that provides consistent feel every game.

It's a phenomenon that occurs in almost every team: a player changes their grip tape and immediately notices that the stick feels better – more responsive, easier to control. Then they forget to change it, and the next game they're playing with a grip that has gradually lost its surface texture without them really noticing when it happened. The feel has gradually disappeared, and they've adapted to it without realizing that it was the grip, not their technique, that changed.

The grip on a hockey shaft is the communication channel between the hand and the blade. All information about the puck's weight, position, and movement passes up through the shaft to the hand, and how clear that information is depends on the quality of the grip surface. A new grip tape provides a direct and responsive grip. Worn grip tape provides a dampened, undefined grip that requires more compensation from the player.

It involves three parts: the grip zone along the shaft, the knob at the top, and the routine that keeps both in proper condition. Each part contributes to the whole, and when all three are right, it's noticeable – not as a dramatic improvement, but as a feeling that the equipment is working with the player rather than against them.

The grip zone on the shaft – application for a real feel

The grip zone is the section of the shaft covered by the glove, and this is where the grip tape does its job. How it's applied directly affects how tight and responsive the grip feels, how long it lasts, and whether it moves during play.

Grip tape is slightly stretchy and molds around the shaft without creating a bulky base against the glove. Start directly below the knob – without a gap – and wrap in a spiral pattern downwards along the grip zone with approximately 50% overlap per turn. The tension should be moderate. If you pull the tape to its maximum, it becomes stiff and initially sits tightly, but it rolls up faster at the edges and loses feel more quickly. Moderate tension means the tape conforms evenly around the shaft and retains some flexibility.

LizardSkins are applied in the same way but yield a different result. The material absorbs sweat better and maintains its surface texture longer under glove friction. Many players notice the difference most clearly towards the end of an intense session or in the third period: the grip tape has lost its initial grip and the feel is dampened, while LizardSkins still provide the same responsive surface as during warm-up.

A common situation: a player re-tapes their grip tape every other game because the feel starts to vary. Switching to LizardSkins eliminates the need for that – the taping lasts longer and the feel is more consistent. It's not always the right choice for all players, but for those who want a grip that lasts the entire game without needing to be changed during the intermission, it's worth trying.

LizardSkins vs. grip tape – a practical comparison

This is a frequently asked question, and the answer depends more on the player's routines and preferences than on an objective ranking of the products. Both work. They just do it in slightly different ways.

Grip tape is the classic choice. It's easy to change, comes in several colors, and provides good initial grip. It costs 59 SEK per roll and lasts for one to a couple of game sessions depending on playing intensity and sweat amount. Players who consistently change their grip tape before each game always play with optimal surface texture – it's a simple routine that keeps the grip consistent if followed.

LizardSkins cost more per roll but last longer per taping. This makes them cost-effective per game if you actually utilize their lifespan. The material is slightly thicker than standard grip tape and provides a more dampening grip, which some players find better for shots and others find more anonymous. It's a matter of feel.

One advantage of LizardSkins that isn't always mentioned: because they last longer, they eliminate the decision-making about whether it's time to change the grip. With grip tape, there's always the question in the background – is the grip still good enough? With LizardSkins, the answer is usually yes, and the player can focus their mental energy on the game instead.

Recommendation: start with grip tape if you've never tried LizardSkins, and make the switch during a practice session so you have time to get used to the feel. If you like it, you'll know why so many players never go back.

The knob – how it's built and why it matters for grip

The knob defines where the top hand sits along the shaft and provides a clear stop that prevents the stick from slipping out of the hand during battles and checks. It's a part of the stick that players often tape without thinking too much about it – and it's also the part that, if not done correctly, causes problems throughout the entire game.

Use CCM Cloth Tape or Howies Cloth Tape to build the knob. Start with tight, overlapping wraps directly along the top of the shaft. Each wrap should be pressed firmly before the next is applied – this is what makes the knob stable and prevents it from rotating. The volume is a personal preference. Most players have had the same knob since early youth and rarely change it.

A poorly built knob will rotate along the shaft during intense play. This manifests as the top hand ending up in slightly different positions depending on the situation, which affects the leverage for shots and the feel for puck control. Build the knob once and make it stable – it takes three minutes and rarely needs to be redone throughout the entire season.

Howies Cloth Tape is known to last longer per taping and is used by players who want to minimize the frequency of re-taping the knob. The adhesive quality provides a stronger initial bond to the shaft. CCM Cloth Tape is the classic choice in white or black and provides an equivalent result with slightly shorter durability per taping. Both work excellently for the knob – choose what you're used to.

A complete grip-taping routine that lasts game after game

A grip taping routine doesn't require much time if done consistently. It involves three steps: the knob, the grip zone, and the frequency of changes.

The knob is rarely re-taped – once per season if it's stable. Check it before each game by grasping the knob and seeing if it moves along the shaft. If it moves: re-do the knob with CCM Cloth Tape or Howies Cloth Tape before you go out. It takes three minutes.

The grip zone should be re-taped before each game if you use grip tape, and when clear signs of wear appear if you use LizardSkins. Always remove the old tape completely before re-taping – new tape against old provides an unstable base and shorter durability.

Apply the grip tape with 50% overlap per turn and moderate tension. Start below the knob without a gap. Cover downwards to the point where the glove stops covering the shaft – don't tape further than that.

Supplement with Shin Guard Tape PRO along the edges of the shin guards against the sock for a complete game preparation. This taping routine takes a total of 8–12 minutes and provides a consistent starting condition every time you step out.

FAQ

1. What is the difference between grip tape and LizardSkins?

Grip tape is a classic, stretchy tape that provides good initial grip and is easy to change. It costs 59 SEK per roll and lasts for one to a couple of game sessions depending on playing intensity. LizardSkins is a premium alternative with a thicker, more dampening material that absorbs sweat better and maintains its surface texture longer under mechanical stress. LizardSkins cost more per roll but last longer per taping, making them cost-effective per game. Choose grip tape if you change often and are comfortable with the routine. Choose LizardSkins if you want a consistent feel throughout the game without changing the grip during intermission.

2. Why should grip tape start directly below the knob?

If there is a gap between the knob and the start of the grip zone, the tape can begin to slide upwards towards the untaped area during play. This creates an unstable taping that moves along the shaft, directly affecting the feel of the grip. Start the grip tape or LizardSkins directly below the knob without a gap and wrap downwards along the grip zone. This provides a stable upper attachment that prevents the tape from moving during play. The same principle applies in reverse: end the grip zone exactly where the glove stops covering the shaft – do not tape further than necessary.

3. How often should grip tape be changed?

Grip tape should be changed before each game as standard. The surface texture gradually deteriorates under glove friction and sweat, and grip tape that has been used for one game session provides noticeably worse friction and feel than new tape. During the practice week: visually inspect the surface texture and change it when the surface looks flat and worn. LizardSkins last longer – change every three to five games depending on playing intensity, or when the surface texture shows clear signs of wear. Regardless of the product: always remove the old tape completely before applying new. New tape against worn tape provides an unstable base.

4. Does the color of the grip affect the feel?

No, not in terms of performance. Grip tape comes in several colors, and the surface texture is the same regardless of color. It's an aesthetic preference. However, a newly applied taping – regardless of color – can have a psychological influence on the feel. Players who tape consistently and regularly generally report a more stable feel of the equipment. This is partly because the tape actually performs better and partly because the routine itself provides psychological calm before a game. LizardSkins are available in a wide range of colors, allowing you to customize the look without compromising performance.

5. Can you tape the knob with grip tape instead of cloth tape?

Technically, it works, but the result is inferior. Grip tape is stretchy and not designed to form a stable, volume-building knob. It tends to flatten out and not hold its shape during the game. CCM Cloth Tape and Howies Cloth Tape are stiffer and create a knob that maintains its volume and sits stably along the shaft without rotating. Always build the knob with cloth tape and use grip tape or LizardSkins for the grip zone – they are designed for their respective tasks.

6. How big should the knob be?

This is a personal preference with no objectively correct answer. A large knob provides a clearer stop for the top hand and reduces the risk of the stick slipping out of the hand during checks and battles. A small knob provides a more open grip with more freedom in wrist movement. Most players have had the same knob since early youth and rarely change it. Start with the size you are used to and adjust if it feels wrong. Build the knob with CCM Cloth Tape in tight, overlapping wraps and press firmly – stability plays a greater role than size.

7. Why does the grip tape move along the shaft during a game?

The most common reason is that the tape was applied with uneven tension along the wraps, or that it started with a gap against the knob. Uneven tension creates internal movement in the tape layer, and a gap against the knob provides a weak upper attachment allowing the tape to slide upwards. Apply grip tape or LizardSkins with even, moderate tension along the entire grip zone and start directly under the knob without a gap. If the tape still moves: reapply with an extra wrap overlapping the knob by a couple of millimeters as an anchor layer.

8. Is it better to tape the shaft with one or two layers?

For most players, one layer of grip tape or LizardSkins with 50% overlap is sufficient. An extra layer increases the grip's thickness, which some players prefer for more cushioning while others find it bulky. If you want a thicker grip: apply a thin base layer of grip tape directly to the shaft, then LizardSkins on top. This provides more volume and a cohesive surface layer. Avoid applying double layers of grip tape alone – it creates a stiffness that reduces feel. Test it once during practice and decide if the combination suits you.