Can you tape a hockey stick with athletic tape?
Athletic tape, gaffers tape and friction tape aren't unheard of on either end of the stick. Electrical tape is usually not wide enough to be used easily, but will do in a pinch.
The ability to maintain full range of motion while improving pain and biomechanics is what sets elastic tape apart from athletic tape. Elastic tape can also generally be worn up to 3-5 days with good skin adhesion, as opposed to the limited wear time with athletic tape.
The athletic or sport tape is a supportive tape. This adhesive tape is used on athletes to prevent injury by providing support around an injured joint or muscle. This type of taping is usually done around the wrists, hands, ankles and feet for a specific athletic activity and afterwards removed.
First things first, let's talk about what tape you should use to tape your lacrosse stick. The best tape by far is hockey tape because it has a lot of grip, is lightweight and lasts for a while. Regular athletic tape is ok but the grip isn't as strong and fades pretty fast.
In general, athletic tape is used for treating or managing joint of soft tissue injuries. Hockey tape, on the other hand, is generally used to enhance player performance or to keep his/her apparel (such as shin pads or socks) in position during play.
So using black tape really isn't much better than white. White tape allows you to see the puck on your stick better plus it looks cooler all marked up. Pro tip: Most goalies say they have a harder time focusing on the puck when the stick is white because they cant see when the shot is released.
Sports tape is stronger, stickier, and reduces the available range of motion available at a joint more than K tape. It is the best choice for hypermobile joints or active injuries. The use of an underwrap like Hyperfix® can be beneficial in reducing irritation with the skin.
- Stabilizing ankles.
- Supporting knees.
- Solidifying shoulders.
- Opening elbows.
- Supporting weak or injured muscles.
- Improving muscle contraction.
- Preventing overuse.
Called Kinesio tape, Kinesiology tape or elastic therapeutic tape, the elastic cotton strip has an acrylic adhesive on one side. It is used by physical therapists for a variety of reasons, including treating pain from sports injuries and improving athletic performance.
What Can I Use Instead of Hockey Tape? Instead of hockey tape, you could use a rubber grip for the butt end of your stick or you could use a blade tape alternative like BladeTape for your hockey blade.
What kind of tape do you use for hockey sticks?
As for what tape to use, hockey tape (or "hockey stick tape”) is the obvious choice. It is typically a cotton/poly blend with rubber adhesive and formulated to not leave residue when removed. Other options include cloth friction tape, gaffers tape, athletic tape and electrical tape.
From beer leagues to the NHL, taping the stick is often considered to be a holy pre-game ritual for almost every player. The tape job (or "TJ" for short) needs to be perfect, done the same way, to the same length, with the same amount of overlap, and with the perfect amount of wax, no exceptions.

NHL – link
Any player wearing tape or any other material on his hands (below the wrist) who cuts or injures an opponent during an altercation will receive a match penalty in addition to any other penalties imposed including for fighting under this rule.