Proper stick length is very important. The beginning adult player intuitively believes that a longer stick is better because it helps extend your reach in poke-checking or catching a pass. Although a long stick can do that, improper stick length will severely hinder your ability to stick handle, to pass and to shoot. An improperly long stick will effectively enhance your ability to poke-check and play defense--but it will limit your ability to improve other aspects of your defensive game like skating and body positioning.

In-Line Hockey Sticks

The biggest difference between ice hockey and in-line sticks is the rougher surface of in-line hockey and the consequent wear and tear of the stick blades. Many in-line hockey players use standard street hockey sticks with wooden or metal shafts and plastic blades. Plastic blades last longer against the scraping of an asphalt or concrete rink surface. Regular ice hockey sticks work great with plastic replacement blades. Wooden blades work well for superior stick handling, but they fray quickly.

Most street hockey sticks are designed to be used on foot. If you decide to use one check to make sure it is long enough for use with your skates. The same stick length rules apply here as they do for ice hockey sticks. There are several in-line hockey blades available that are made of plastic or ‘mylec.’ There are aluminum sticks made for in-line hockey but any stick will work; the main issue is blade wear and your comfort with a plastic or wooden blade.

Taping Sticks

Every player has their own method for taping their stick. Here is our favorite method. Start at the top of the handle. Stick the end of the tape roll on the top of the shaft. Then unwind approximately eighteen inches of tape and then spin the tape roll so that it causes the unwound tape to tighten and for a "rope".  Starting at the top wind the "rope" around the shaft of the stick down as far as you like it.   This "rope" will provide the grip on the stick shaft.  When you get down to the point on the stick shaft where you want to end, then wind tape off the roll over the "rope" all the way back to the top of the shaft.  At the top of the shaft create a knob by wrapping tape around the top of the shaft.  Make it thick enough so that you can pick up you stick if it is dropped but not too thick that it interferes with stick handling.

Taping the stick blade is also one of personal preference. Some players insist on putting little to no tape on their stick blade. Others tape the entire blade. The old school says to tape your blade black so that the goaltender cannot see the puck coming off the offensive players stick as easily.  Other players like white and some player’s now choose their team colors or one of the florescent colors available.

Start at the heel of the stick and work toward the toe.  Overlap the tape at the edge.  When you get to the end of the stick blade tear the tape off at a point were it will stick flat against the tape on the blade.  Some players will "rub down" the tape using a hockey puck.  Others use "stick wax" which they claim helps them to grip the puck better and keeps water off the blade. A new tape is available for ice hockey sticks that is rubber with a gripping texture.  The manufacturer claims that it lasts longer than regular hockey tape because it resists water and that it grips better than regular tape.

Hockey sticks are like tennis rackets and golf clubs - the technology is always changing with new products on the market every year.  Spend a little time in your local hockey shop talking to the staff to see if you should upgrade your stick.