Common Mistakes When Taping Hockey Equipment (2026)

Summary: Taping mistakes in hockey are rarely dramatic – they manifest as a shin pad that starts to slip after a period, a grip that doesn't feel quite right, or a blade that starts to lift at the edge sooner than it should. This guide covers the most common mistakes players make when taping their stick and pads, why they occur, and how to easily avoid them.

There are a number of mistakes that appear in virtually every locker room and are easy to recognize once you know what to look for. The player re-tapes the blade over the old tape to save time. The shin pad tape is applied in one layer along the top edge and nothing along the bottom edge. The grip tape is stretched to its maximum to "sit tighter." None of these routines deliver what the player believes they do.

The common theme is that taping is often done under stress, without thinking through why each step is performed and what it actually accomplishes. A player who understands why the tape should be applied in a certain way will do it correctly without having to memorize a list of steps. Understanding is quicker to apply in a hectic pre-game preparation than a procedure without logic behind it.

This guide covers the most common taping mistakes for three different parts of the equipment – the blade, the shin pads, and the grip tape on the shaft. For each mistake: what happens, why it happens, and what to do instead.

Blade mistakes – why the tape flakes and lifts too soon

The most common blade taping mistake is applying new tape over old. It feels like a time-saving solution, and in the moment, it looks good. The problem arises at the moment of application: new tape on old tape adheres worse than new tape on a clean blade. The surface is uneven, and the adhesive on the new tape activates unevenly. The result is a taping job that starts to move and lift along the edges faster than if it had been applied to a clean blade. Always remove all old tape. It takes a minute and provides noticeably longer durability.

The second common blade mistake is air bubbles. An air bubble under CCM Cloth Tape is a starting point for lifting – the ice and movement during play expand the bubble, and the tape begins to detach from there. Bubbles occur when the tape is applied with uneven tension or when the blade's surface is not clean. Press the tape firmly with your thumb along each wrap as you apply it. If a bubble appears – lift the tape, smooth it out, and reapply. It takes five seconds.

The third blade mistake: too much tension. Tape stretched to its maximum has no room for movement left. Upon contact with ice and puck, it will tear faster along the points where the tension is greatest. Howies Cloth Tape and CCM Cloth Tape should be applied with moderate tension – enough for the tape to sit snugly, but not stretched to the breaking point.

Shin pad tape mistakes – the bottom edge is always forgotten

Shin pad taping mistakes follow a predictable pattern: the player tapes along the top edge of the shin pad with a good overlap onto the sock – and then completely misses the bottom edge or tapes it with too little overlap. It is the bottom edge against the skate boot where the shin pad starts to slip. Taping only along the top edge results in a shin pad that can rotate downwards during quick turns.

Shin Pad Tape PRO should be applied along both the top and bottom edges with at least 3–4 cm overlap onto the sock. This creates a closed taped zone where the shin pad cannot move in any direction without breaking the entire taping. If it moves, it's not secured enough – add an extra layer, do not tighten the existing layer harder.

The second common shin pad tape mistake: taping against a damp sock. Adhesive on damp fabric adheres less initially and loses further strength when more moisture is added during play. Always tape in the locker room after the sock has been still for a few minutes. A sock that was just pulled on is still in motion and provides an unstable surface for the tape.

A third mistake: standard Shin Pad Tape is used in a game even though the player plays with high intensity of movement. The standard variant works great for practice but lacks the moisture resistance of the PRO variant. During an entire game with sweat and ice water, standard tape loses adhesion faster. Switch to Shin Pad Tape PRO for games.

Grip tape mistakes – overstretching and incorrect starting position

There are three clear grip tape mistakes we see repeatedly. The first is overstretching. The player pulls the grip tape to its maximum so it will "sit tighter." The result is tape that is maximally stretched and has no room for movement left. It rolls up at the edges faster and gives a stiff, clumsy feel against the glove. Apply with moderate tension – enough for the tape to conform around the shaft, no more.

The second mistake: the grip tape starts too far down the shaft and covers more area than the glove actually touches. Tape along the part of the shaft not covered by the glove serves no purpose for grip and adds unnecessary weight in the wrong place. Start just below the knob and cover downwards to the point where the glove stops covering the shaft – no more, no less.

The third mistake: replacement occurs too infrequently. Grip tape that has been used for a couple of games has gradually lost its surface texture and no longer provides the same friction against the glove. The player normalizes the feeling and doesn't realize that the grip has actually worsened. LizardSkins lasts longer per taping and is a good option for players who want a more consistent feel without changing as often. But regardless of the product: visually inspect the grip tape before each game and change it if the surface looks worn.

Knob and finishing mistakes – the carelessness that shows last

The knob is the part of the taping routine that receives the least attention and causes the most problems in the long run. The most common knob mistake: too little tape along the very top wraps, which means the knob does not sit stably against the shaft and starts to rotate during intense play. The knob should be built with proper overlapping wraps of CCM Cloth Tape or Howies Cloth Tape, pressed tightly against the shaft along its entire volume. A knob that is secure from the start will not move during the season.

The second common knob and finishing mistake concerns blade tape: it is finished without proper pressure along the top edge. The seam of the top edge is the edge most exposed to the ice during braking movements and turns, and without pressure, it starts to lift quickly. Always finish the blade taping with an extra half-wrap along the top edge that covers the seam and press it firmly with your thumb.

Understanding why each finish matters makes it easier to do it right in practice. The durability of the taping is often determined by the edges and the execution of the seams – the rest of the taping can be flawless, but if the finishes are weak, it will start to come undone from there.

FAQ

1. Why does blade tape come off faster if new tape is applied over old?

New tape is applied to an uneven surface when the old tape is still on. The adhesive on the new tape activates unevenly – it sticks firmly to the raised parts of the old tape's surface but has air gaps against the lower parts. This results in an unstable bond from the start. Furthermore, some of the new adhesive's bonding strength is absorbed by the old tape's surface instead of activating against the blade. Always remove all old tape and clean the blade before applying CCM Cloth Tape or Howies Cloth Tape. It takes a minute and provides noticeably longer durability for the new taping.

2. How do you know if shin pad tape was applied correctly?

Test immediately after taping: grab the shin pad and try to rotate it and move it up and down. If it moves in any direction, the tape is not properly applied. Shin Pad Tape PRO should be applied along both the top and bottom edges with at least 3–4 cm overlap onto the sock – this creates a closed taped zone that prevents movement in all directions. If the shin pad moves during the test: reapply, do not add more layers on top of existing tape. The problem is almost always that the bottom edge has too little overlap onto the skate boot, or that the tape was applied to a damp sock.

3. What happens if grip tape is pulled too tight?

Overstretched grip tape has no room for movement left and rolls up at the edges faster during play. It also creates stiffness against the glove, which reduces feel for the puck. The tape should be applied with moderate tension – enough for it to conform evenly around the shaft, not pulled to the maximum. A simple rule of thumb: if you see the tape "bleach" or flash white when you stretch it, the tension is too high. LizardSkins is more tolerant of variations in application technique and a good option for players who want a more consistent feel regardless of how the taping was performed.

4. Can you tape shin pads with cloth tape if you don't have shin pad tape?

It's possible, but the result is inferior. CCM Cloth Tape and Howies Cloth Tape are stiffer products designed for the flat, static surface of the blade – not for the dynamic movement of the shin pad against the sock. Cloth tape cracks along the fold points that occur when the player moves, and this happens quickly during game intensity. The result is taping that partially detaches and gives the shin pad a false impression of being secure. Shin Pad Tape PRO is built for this specific stress and will last an entire game if applied correctly.

5. Why does grip tape start to move along the shaft during a game?

The most common reason is that the tape started too far from the knob. If there is an untaped zone between the knob and the start of the grip zone, the tape can start to slide upwards towards that zone during play. Always start the grip tape directly below the knob without a gap. The second common reason: uneven tension along the application wraps. If some wraps are pulled tighter and others looser, it creates internal movement in the tape layer. Even tension along the entire grip zone provides a stable result that doesn't move.

6. How often should shin pads be re-taped during a season?

Before each game as standard – remove Shin Pad Tape PRO after the game, let the sock dry, and re-tape before the next one. The cost is low and the result is consistent. During practice, the tape can stay on for an extra session if it's properly secured – but always check that the edges haven't started to lift before you step out. Tape that lifts but still "holds" results in a shin pad that moves more than the player realizes, and this is a more common problem than one might think.

7. Does it make a difference if the knob is large or small?

Size is a personal preference that depends on what the player is used to and what feels best in the hand. A large knob provides more stop for the top hand and reduces the risk of the stick slipping out of the hand during battles. A small knob provides a straighter grip with more wrist freedom. What actually matters regardless of size: that the knob is stable. Poorly constructed knobs with CCM Cloth Tape or Howies Cloth Tape rotate along the shaft and change the feel during play. Build the knob with proper overlapping wraps and press firmly.

8. What should you carry in your game bag for emergency taping needs?

At least one roll of Shin Pad Tape PRO for emergency re-taping of shin pads during intermission, one roll of grip tape or LizardSkins for grip tape replacement, and one roll of CCM Cloth Tape if the blade needs re-taping. Store them at room temperature and not packed in the innermost compartments of the bag – a roll of tape that takes 30 seconds to find creates unnecessary stress during a game break. A small tape pouch or pocket in the outer compartment will help you find them immediately.