Summary: This article is about how correct taping reduces the risk of injury for bandy players, from shin guards that slip to a grip that fails in the middle of a game. It is written for players, parents, and coaches who want to understand why tape choice plays a bigger role than most people think. Readers will get concrete ways to tape shin guards, sticks, and skates so that equipment stays put when it matters most.
It happens every season, usually in the same game: a player breaks away, the shin guard slips down towards the ankle in the middle of a tackle, and suddenly it's bare skin against the ice where the guard should have been. It's rarely the equipment that's bad – it's that it was never properly secured from the start. We see the same pattern with the grip on the stick, where sweaty hands cause control to disappear just when a shot needs to be delivered with full force. Injury-preventing taping isn't about adding something extra – it's about making sure the equipment actually does its job for the entire game, not just the first ten minutes. In bandy, where speed is high and the surface is large, a loose shin guard or poorly laced pair of skates can cause injury before anyone has time to react. This is knowledge that is often lost between generations of players – the older generation learned through trial and error, while new players are just told to "tape a little" without understanding why placement matters. In this article, we go through where on the body and equipment taping actually prevents injuries, and which tape gets the job done.
Shin guards that slip – exposing what they're meant to protect
A shin guard that slides down during a period is one of the most common yet underestimated injury problems in bandy. It doesn't happen because the shin guard is the wrong size, but because it was never secured to the sock from the beginning. You can solve this with Shin Guard Tape PRO by securing the shin guard directly to the sock before a game or practice, so it stays in place even during quick changes of direction and tackles. We often see younger players skip this step because they're in a hurry to get on the ice, and then have to adjust their shin guards multiple times during a period – which in itself is a distraction that increases the risk of missing a tackle. Use Shin Guard Tape PRO to wrap two to three times just below the knee and another wrap at the ankle, where slipping usually starts. After a season with Shin Guard Tape PRO correctly applied, players usually stop thinking about their shin guards entirely during a game, which is exactly what you want to achieve – equipment that takes care of itself so that focus can be on the game.
The grip that gives way when the shot needs to be delivered
A full-power shot requires the hand to stay still on the shaft right up to the moment of impact. If the grip slips just before contact, the player loses both direction and power, and in the worst case, the stick follows a movement that was not intended – which is a common source of accidentally hitting opponents or teammates. Use Grip Tape to create friction at the top of the shaft, where the hand rests during the most demanding part of a shot or pass. This comes up in almost every team around November, when the cold makes hands drier and the grip on untaped shafts becomes unreliable. In practice: wrap Grip Tape tightly without gaps, stretching the tape lightly as you wrap to avoid creases that would otherwise tear up gloves. If the player trains a lot and sweats heavily, LizardSkins is a good alternative, as the material maintains grip even when the glove becomes damp during a long practice.
Skates – when lacing itself becomes an injury risk
An ankle that turns in a skate is rarely the skate's fault – it's the result of lacing that was loose from the start or came undone during the game. In bandy, where speed and quick turns are greater than in many other ice sports, this becomes especially clear because the load on the ankle is constantly high. Use Waxed Skate Laces to lace skates tighter around the ankle, as the waxed lace holds the knot in place better than an unwaxed alternative that comes loose during a period. This is a detail often neglected by younger players who haven't learned how much support proper lacing actually provides. In practice: tighten Waxed Skate Laces hardest over the ankle bone, not at the very top of the boot, as that's where support against twisting is most needed. Check the lacing again after warm-up – the lace stretches slightly with the warmth, and a player who doesn't re-lace risks playing the entire period with less support than Waxed Skate Laces actually provide.
The stick blade – control that prevents dangerous situations
A poorly taped blade provides worse contact with the ball, making shots and passes less predictable – and unpredictable shots are a common cause of teammates or opponents being hit where they shouldn't be. It's not just about performance, but about the player actually knowing where the ball is going. Use CCM Cloth Tape to tape the blade and the knob, never the skates or shin guards, as the cloth tape's structure is designed to provide grip on the ball and protect the wood or composite material from wear. We often see players re-tape the blade only when it's already worn and control has been lost, instead of making it a routine before every game. In practice: wrap CCM Cloth Tape diagonally across the blade's surface with a slight overlap, and finish with a few extra wraps at the toe where wear is greatest. A knob that lacks tape can also become sharp or splintered over time, which is an unnecessary injury risk in close contact – a couple of wraps of CCM Cloth Tape around the knob solves that problem at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I re-tape my shin guards to prevent them from slipping during a game?
Check the taping before every game and practice, as the tape loses some of its adhesion after repeated use and washing of the socks. Use Shin Guard Tape PRO and replace the tape completely if you notice it starts to come loose during warm-up. A simple way to test is to make some quick changes of direction before the game – if the shin guard moves noticeably then, it will certainly move even more during a physical period. It's better to spend an extra two minutes in the locker room than to have to adjust shin guards in the middle of a tackle.
Where on the shin guard should the tape be placed for best effect?
Secure the tape just below the knee and another wrap at the ankle, as that's where slipping normally begins. Use Shin Guard Tape PRO and wrap two to three times at each spot without pulling so tight that blood circulation is affected. Avoid taping in the middle of the shin, as that's rarely where the problem arises and it just makes it harder to take off the shin guards afterward. Adjust the grip slightly depending on the shin guard model, but the principle of anchor points at the knee and ankle applies regardless of the brand.
Can I use the same grip tape for both games and practice, or will it wear out too quickly?
Grip tape normally lasts one to two weeks of regular practice before the grip noticeably deteriorates, but it depends on how much the player sweats and how often the stick is used. Use Grip Tape and replace it as soon as you feel your hand slips even slightly during a hard shot – don't wait until the grip is completely gone. If you train daily, it might be worth having a few extra rolls at home, as a bad grip just before a game is harder to fix at the last minute than simply changing the tape the night before.
Is LizardSkins a better alternative than regular grip tape for players with very sweaty hands?
Yes, LizardSkins is designed to maintain grip even when the glove or hand gets damp, making it a good choice for players who train a lot or play in warm rinks. Use LizardSkins if you've noticed that regular grip tape loses its effectiveness after just one period. The material also stays on longer between changes, which can be worth the extra cost for players who would otherwise re-tape their shaft every week.
Why should cloth tape only be used on the blade and not on skates?
Cloth tape is designed to provide grip on the ball and protect the stick blade's material – it is not made to withstand ice contact or the stresses a skate blade is subjected to. Use CCM Cloth Tape only on the blade and knob, and instead rely on proper lacing and Waxed Skate Laces for everything related to skates. Mixing up the uses is a common mistake among younger players, and it usually leads to the tape wearing off quickly without doing any good where it's wrongly placed.
How do I lace my skates to reduce the risk of ankle injuries in bandy?
Tighten the lacing hardest over the ankle bone, where support against twisting is most needed, rather than at the very top of the boot. Use Waxed Skate Laces because the waxed lace holds the knot in place even during an intense period, unlike an unwaxed lace that gradually comes loose. Always re-lace after warm-up, as the lace stretches slightly with the warmth and support deteriorates if you don't adjust it before the game truly begins.
How do I know if my stick blade needs to be re-taped before the next game?
Look for frayed or worn tape, especially at the toe where contact with the ball occurs most frequently, and check if the grip on the ball feels worse than usual during shots. Use CCM Cloth Tape and re-tape as soon as you feel control has deteriorated, instead of waiting until the tape is completely gone. A blade without effective grip makes passes and shots less predictable, which increases the risk of situations where the ball ends up where no one expects it.
Is there any difference between taping for younger players and older, more experienced players?
The principles are the same, but younger players more often miss the details that make taping effective, such as exactly where on the shin guard the tape should be placed or how tightly the skate lace should be pulled. Use Shin Guard Tape PRO and Waxed Skate Laces as a starting point regardless of age, but spend extra time showing younger players why placement matters, not just that they should tape. Coaches and parents who take the time to demonstrate this at the beginning of the season usually see fewer injuries and fewer interruptions in training later on.
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