Do you tape your blade or not?

[gekigangarIII]

Just wondering what everyone's preference was. If you tape it, how (ie. standard wrap the entire blade, or the few pieces of tape horizontally?)?

Thanks!

[headhunter]

no tape. It drags in inline. At least thats my opinion.

[JohnHockey1798]

I use to wrap all the way around but since about a year ago Ihave been just putting a few strips of tape horizentaly. just enough to have some grip on my blade.

John

[MDE3]

Assuming you play puck the "couple of strips" technique is the most common - helps deaden the passes a bit - without any drag from the tape on the bottom of the stick. This can be particularily helpfull on the very stiff composite blades. If you play ball(sorry - some still do) - no tape at all - stick will roll over it.

[headhunter]

does anyone use those "attack pads" that stick to the front and back of the blade?

[missionhockey21]

I use the attack pads, or tacki pads as we call them.

[missionhockey21]

I never tape my stick unless I have to. I use a mission flyweight for playing games on outdoor rinks and parks, but thats because I would tear up my blades very quickly. I dont like the drag that you get with tape so usually indoors I use an attack pad.

[columbus_RHstar]

I use a Easton Ultra Lite Graphite blade (green) and I have to tape the blade or puck control is nearly impossible since my blade has only a little toe curve and the end and is otherwise straight as an arrow.

Now taping is another story. I read the other replys. It seems most use horizontal tape, however I prefer to tape the whole blade. A few of the reasons I do this are:
-I use the same stick for ice hockey and roller hockey
-It's what I've always done and its woked so far so why change it?

Now you may say, well doesn't the drag bother you. Well, I have found that there is some drag, but by playing a "Brett Hull style", only touch the puck when necessary, I don't keep my blade on the surface nearly as much as other players. I prefer to be the guy who makes the move away from the play to get open and get the pass. Obviously not everyone plays this way (imagine if they did) and so the way I tape my stick is not for everyone but it's what works for me, I you are asking for advice, I would say, try both ways and see which you prefer more.

[missionhockey21]

I am usually the guy who ends up with a ton of assists by the end of the season. I am usually the "playmaker on my line and if I had drag on my stick it would completly screw things up for me. The most I tape is a few strips on the bottom while playing outside.

[gekigangarIII]

I'm usually the guy that screens the goalie.. the guy that sucks real bad... the guy that can't skate real well at all and just takes up space...

[columbus_RHstar]

Outside I duct tape the bottom. On my old blade I didn't and used it outside and the borom split and the blade became totally weak and unneffective. It would move and flex and jump aorund while shooting.

[missionhockey21]

Hey the guy who screens the goalie, on our team ends up with a fair amount of goals, even won some games for us. Dont be down on yourself gekigangarIII, you play an important part in a game not to mention making the goalie despise you

[missionhockey21]

I really wished I didnt have to tape it for outside rinks, but mission didnt make an abs blade for the flyweight

[rlrhky13]

I usually just use stick wax. It makes the puck stick to the balde and I can still receive a pass with out the puck jumping off the stick. It also gives me the grip I need to control the puck. I use the M-1 sticks and the blades are very smooth and slippery..

[Titan55]

Personally I prefeer to tape the entire blade. I find I get much better puck control. As for the issue of drag...it doesn't even seem to happen. Once you go out for warm ups, and you get a few shots...the dust builds up on the tape, and it glides like there is nothing on it!