How to Prepare a Hockey Stick for Use

The key to developing good stick handling skills in hockey is making sure the hockey stick is prepared specifically for the user. This article will discuss the proper height, size, and taping procedures for any hockey player.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hockey stick
• Handsaw
• White or black cloth tape
• Pencil

1. Decide if the player needs to purchase a right-handed or left-handed stick and travel to the nearest hockey stick store.

2. Purchase a stick that comes up to the player's forehead. Make sure the stick is appropriate for a youth or adult player. The sticks will be marked with a jr. for youth or sr. for adult.

3. Hold the stick up in front of the hockey player and mark with a pencil where the stick comes up to the player's nose (for defensemen) or chin (for forwards).

4. Cut the hockey stick with a handsaw where it has been marked.

5. Use white cloth tape to tape the hockey stick where it has been cut. Tape around the top and downward towards the blade for approximately four to six inches. Continue taping back to the top of the stick and wrap the very top several times (only the top) to build up a layer approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick.

6. Start at the heel of the blade (closest to the shaft of the hockey stick) and tape the blade, with white or black cloth tape, towards the toe (end of the blade) of the hockey stick.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a non-curved stick for beginner players who have not decided whether they will be left or right-handed. Many players who normally are right-handed end up using a left-handed stick and vice versa in hockey.
• Buy a lighter flexed stick for smaller players and stiff flex hockey stick for heavier players.

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[TechGeekMN]

on 1/8/2009 For height, many hockey coaches I've talked with say the stick height should be at about nose height with shoes on when you buy it. And it should come up just under the chin strap with skates on. Some defensive players like a slightly longer stick - for better reach. If you do end up cutting the extra off the top with a handsaw, just remember to sand the rough edges with some sand paper before taping the end.