Tips for choosing the right bandy stick and equipment

Summary: As a rule, a bandy stick should reach approximately to the navel when you are on skates, but playing style and position determine whether it should be shorter or longer. According to the rules, the stick may be no more than 130 cm long, measured along the outer side of the curve, and no more than 7 cm wide. In addition to the stick, you need a helmet with a cage, a neck guard, which is mandatory in all leagues, and shin guards that stay in place throughout the match. Here we go through how to choose the length, blade, and weight, which guards you need, and how the right tape makes the equipment withstand cold, snow, and moisture.

Introduction

In bandy, the stick is an extension of yourself. It receives the ball at full speed, controls it with a pull, and delivers the pass. Therefore, it is immediately noticeable if the stick is too long, too short, or too heavy. The ball ends up in the wrong place, and you have to compensate with your body instead of playing.

The good thing is that the right choice does not require the most expensive stick, but that you know what to look for. In this guide, we go through length, blade, and weight, which guards are needed, and how to tape the stick and shin guards so that everything works on a cold and snowy bandy field. This applies whether you are buying the first stick for a junior or want to fine-tune your own equipment.

How long should a bandy stick be?

Length is the most important choice, and it is where most people wonder the most.

The rule of thumb: Hold the stick upright in front of you with the blade facing the floor. When you have your skates on, the top of the stick should reach approximately to the navel. If you measure without skates, add the height of the skates, or expect the stick to reach slightly higher on the body. It is a starting point, not an exact measurement.

Then test it in a playing position. Get down into the position you play in, with bent knees and leaning slightly forward, and hold the stick with both hands. The blade should lie flat against the ice without you having to bend extra or stretch your arms. Your arms should be relaxed.

Shorter or longer?

• A shorter stick gives better ball control close to the body and faster pulls, but less reach. It often suits players who want to dribble a lot and work in tight spaces.
• A longer stick gives longer reach for deflections and longer passes, but makes it harder to control the ball close to the skates. It often suits defenders.

What do the rules say? According to the Swedish Bandy Association's rulebook, the stick may be no more than 130 cm long, measured along the outer side of the curve. It may be no more than 7 cm wide at any point, with or without tape. The stick must be made of wood or another approved material and have the association's approval mark.

For children: Better to choose a slightly shorter stick than one that is too long. A stick that is too long makes the child hold it too high and lose control of the ball. Check the length every season, as children grow quickly.

Blade, weight, and balance

The blade's curve affects how the ball leaves the stick. A stronger curve makes it easier to lift the ball and hit shots with angle. A straighter curve gives more even passes and control in both directions. Many younger players benefit from a moderate curve, which works for everything, until they have found their playing style.

The hardness affects the feel. A harder blade gives more direct response in shots and hits. A softer blade dampens the ball and gives a better feel when receiving.

Weight and balance are connected. A light stick makes the wrists faster but can feel unstable in close encounters. Balance is at least as important as weight: a stick with the center of gravity close to the blade feels completely different from one that is back-heavy, even if they weigh the same. Try several sticks before you decide.

The tape also affects. Cloth tape on the blade protects against wear and moisture and gives the ball better grip when receiving. Think about the color: according to the rules, the blade, with or without tape, must clearly differ from the ball's color. Black or white tape is therefore a safe choice. Howies Cloth Tape is available in both colors and has a tight weave with 68 threads per inch, so it lasts a long time. Finish with Howies Hockey Stick Wax, which prevents snow and ice from sticking to the blade. It makes a big difference outdoors. On the shaft, Grip Tape gives a steady grip, even with cold and wet gloves. The whole technique is in the guide on taping in bandy.

The guards – and the tape that keeps them in place

A bandy player needs:

• Helmet with cage that protects the head and face against the ball, sticks, and falls.
• Neck guard, which according to the Swedish Bandy Association's rulebook is mandatory in all leagues. It protects against cuts from skate blades.
• Shin guards that protect the knees and shins. Bandy guards are often shorter than hockey guards.
• Gloves with good feel, because ball control requires fine motor skills.
• Suspensor or groin guard, as well as possibly elbow guards and pants with protection.

The guards should sit stably, not rotate, and not limit movements. This applies especially to the shin guards, which move the most during a match. Velcro straps hold for a while, but rarely a whole match in cold and wet conditions. Therefore, most players tape the shin guards to the socks. Apply 2–3 turns just below the knee and 2–3 turns just above the skate, around both the sock and the guard. Never tape directly to the skin and do not pull tighter than a finger can fit under the tape.

Out on the bandy field, the tape needs to withstand the cold. Shin Guard Tape PRO is made of 0.18 mm PVC film with rubber-based adhesive and withstands everything from −10 °C to 80 °C, so it stays even on a cold match day. For training, the classic Shin Guard Tape works well. The whole technique step by step is in the guide on taping shin guards.

This is how you make the equipment last the whole season

Bandy is often played outdoors, and it wears the equipment more than indoor play. A few routines make a big difference:

• Tape indoors on dry equipment. The most common reason tape lets go in bandy is that it is applied to a damp surface. Tape in the locker room and let the adhesive set for a few minutes before going out into the cold.
• Dry the stick between sessions. Let the stick dry at room temperature, but not on a heater. A stick that gets to lie wet will be damaged over time.
• Change tape in time. You tape the shin guards before every session. You re-tape the blade when the tape is worn or has let go at the edges.
• Dry the guards after every session. Take everything out of the bag immediately. Wet guards in a closed bag start to smell, and the padding breaks down faster.
• Always have tape in the bag. The most common problem is that the tape runs out before a match. Månadskit collects Shin Guard Tape PRO, Howies Cloth Tape, and Grip Tape in one kit. With Shin Guard Tape PRO (3-pack) you get shin guard tape sent home regularly.

Frequently asked questions about bandy stick and equipment

1. How long should a bandy stick be?

As a rule of thumb, the stick should reach approximately to the navel when you are on skates, with the blade against the ice and the stick upright in front of you. If you measure without skates, it should reach slightly higher on the body, because the skates make you a few centimeters taller. It is a starting point. Always test in a playing position: get down with bent knees and leaning slightly forward, and hold the stick with both hands. The blade should lie flat against the ice without you having to bend extra or stretch your arms, and your arms should be relaxed. Playing style also affects. A shorter stick gives better ball control close to the body, and a longer one gives reach for deflections and long passes. According to the Swedish Bandy Association's rulebook, the stick may be no more than 130 cm, measured along the outer side of the curve. For children, it is better to choose a slightly shorter stick than one that is too long, because a stick that is too long makes it hard to control the ball. Check the length every season, as children grow quickly. Tape the blade with a durable cloth tape like Howies Cloth Tape for better ball feel.

2. How do I know that the stick length is right?

The best test is done on the ice, in the position you actually play in. Get down with bent knees and a slightly forward-leaning upper body, and hold the stick with both hands in your usual grip. If the blade lies flat against the ice and your arms are relaxed, the length is right. If you have to bend extra or lower the upper hand, the stick is too short. If the heel of the blade lifts from the ice or your arms end up too high, it is too long. Also take a few pulls and passes. With the right length, the ball ends up naturally in front of the skates, without you having to reach or back up. Remember that the stick's curve affects how long it feels, so two sticks of the same length can feel different. If you have found a length that works, measure it and use the measurement when buying the next stick. Do not forget that the tape on the blade affects the feel. According to the rules, the stick may be no more than 7 cm wide, even with tape, so do not wrap it too thickly. How you tape the blade and grip is in the guide on taping in bandy.

3. What color tape can you have on the bandy stick?

According to the Swedish Bandy Association's rulebook, the stick's blade, with or without tape, must clearly differ from the ball's color. The bandy ball is usually orange or red, so avoid tape in the same color range on the blade. The rule exists so that opponents and referees can see the ball and not mistake it for the stick. The safest choice is black or white cloth tape. Both are clearly visible against the ball and look clean. Howies Cloth Tape and CCM Cloth Tape are available in black and white. Howies has a tight weave with 68 threads per inch and lasts a long time, and CCM has 25 m per roll and a water-repellent surface. White tape also has a practical advantage: it turns gray and worn, so you see when it is time to re-tape. On the shaft, where the ball is not involved, you can have any color. Grip Tape is available in seven colors, so it is easy to match the stick's colors there. Also remember that the stick may be no more than 7 cm wide with the tape included.

4. What tape should you use in bandy?

You need three types of tape, one for each job. On the stick's blade, cloth tape is used. It is woven and has strong adhesive, withstands hits from the ball, and protects the blade against wear and moisture. Howies Cloth Tape is a safe choice that holds match after match. On the shaft, where the hands are, grip tape is used. Grip Tape is stretchy, made of cotton and spandex, and gives a steady grip even with cold and wet gloves. For the shin guards, a thin, stretchy shin guard tape is used that follows the leg's movements and withstands cold. Shin Guard Tape PRO withstands everything from −10 °C to 80 °C and stays even on a cold match day. Do not mix them up. Cloth tape on the legs cracks or pinches, and shin guard tape on the blade wears out immediately. Finish the taping of the blade with Howies Hockey Stick Wax, which makes the tape water-repellent and prevents snow from sticking. The whole technique for both stick and shin guards is in the guide on taping in bandy.

5. Why does the tape let go out on the bandy field?

The most common reason is that the tape is applied to a damp surface. Out on the bandy field, the air is cold and damp, and equipment that has lain in a cold car or gotten snow on it has tape stick poorly. Therefore, tape indoors, in the locker room, on completely dry equipment. Let the adhesive have a few minutes to set before you go out into the cold. The other reason is that the tape is not made for cold. Regular household tape and electrical tape lose their grip when it gets cold. Choose tape that withstands the conditions. Shin Guard Tape PRO has rubber-based adhesive and withstands everything from −10 °C to 80 °C. On the blade, the wax makes a big difference: Howies Hockey Stick Wax makes the cloth tape water-repellent, so that it does not absorb meltwater and let go at the edges. Also store the tape at room temperature, because cold tape is stiffer and sticks worse. Dry the stick between matches, so the next taping sticks better. With those routines, the tape stays the whole match, even on a cold day.

6. Do you need to tape the shin guards in bandy?

Yes, for most players. The Velcro straps on the guards hold for a while, but in cold, wet conditions and with a lot of movement, they lose their grip during the match. A shin guard that has slid down or twisted no longer covers the knee and shin as it should. The tape locks together the sock and the guard, so that they move as a unit. Apply 2–3 turns just below the knee and 2–3 turns just above the skate, around both the sock and the guard. Bandy guards are often shorter than hockey guards, and therefore for many one turn below the knee and one above the skate is enough. Never tape directly to the skin, and do not pull tighter than a finger can fit under the tape. Too tight taping restricts blood flow and makes the legs heavy. Use a tape that withstands cold, like Shin Guard Tape PRO. For training, the classic Shin Guard Tape works well. The whole technique, with the most common mistakes, is in the guide on taping shin guards.

7. What guards do you need in bandy?

A bandy player needs a helmet with cage, neck guard, shin guards, gloves, and suspensor or groin guard. Many also use elbow guards and pants with protection for hips and thighs. The neck guard is mandatory in all leagues according to the Swedish Bandy Association's rulebook, and it protects against cuts from skate blades. The helmet with cage protects the head and face against the ball, which can come at high speed, and against sticks and falls. All guards should sit stably, not rotate, and not limit movements. Do a simple test: squat down, lift your arms, and take a few cuts. Nothing should slide or pinch. The shin guards are the guards that move the most often, so tape them to the sock with Shin Guard Tape PRO, which withstands the cold out on the bandy field. Take care of the guards after every session. Take everything out of the bag and let it dry at room temperature, so the equipment lasts longer and does not smell. Check the guards before every season: look for cracks, flat padding, and worn straps. Children grow quickly, so check that the size still fits.

8. Can the team earn money via StickyTape?

Yes. The team gets its own team link to StickyTape. When players, parents, and supporters buy something from the selected Team Packages via the link, 20 % of the sales go back to the team fund. The team does not need to buy anything, hold inventory, or handle payments, because the families order and pay themselves, and the packages are delivered directly to them. The Team Packages contain the tape that bandy players use up all season. Team Package Basic collects shin guard tape, cloth tape, and grip tape. Team Package Standard also has waxed skate laces and stick wax. Team Package Pro and Team Package Season collect even more accessories, and Season corresponds approximately to an active player's consumption during a season. In all packages, the buyer chooses the color of the tape, so it is possible to tape in the team's colors. Just remember that the blade tape must differ from the ball's color. Since all players anyway use up tape, no one needs to sell to neighbors and relatives. Read more about how you earn money for the team fund.