How to Tape a Lacrosse Stick: Tape Jobs, Styles, and Methods

Lacrosse Tape Rules

1. If you take faceoffs then you must have a contrasting color of tape to your lacrosse shaft. This means that if you have a white lacrosse shaft you cannot have white tape or if you have a black shaft you cannot have black tape for faceoffs. Also, you can not have multiple layers at the top of your stick when taking faceoffs.
2. You must have a butt end, I would suggest a rubber one or plastic. Some players tape a quarter to the end of the shaft and then just tape over it. This method is common, but I have never been a fan. Also getting caught with a homemade butt “could” land you an illegal equipment penalty.

Where to Tape a Lacrosse Stick?

Ever player will have a different preference to how they tape their stick along with when they tape it. Some players tape their stick prior to every game while others only tape it once per season. There is no right way or best style; just your preferred method. For inspiration, check out our list of cool ways to tape a lacrosse stick:

The Criss Cross Tape Job

I personally have never been a big fan of these styles of tape on my lacrosse sticks, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you! The reason why I have never been a fan is for functionality reasons. When it comes to looks, these tape jobs will add some flair to your game. Lyle Thompson in this video from The Lacrosse Network says he uses a criss-cross style of tape when he plays field lacrosse but when playing box he just tapes his stick halfway up.

The Candy Cane Tape Job

I personally have never been a big fan of these styles of tape on my lacrosse sticks, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you! The reason why I have never been a fan is for functionality reasons. When it comes to looks, these tape jobs will add some flair to your game. Lyle Thompson in this video from The Lacrosse Network says he uses a criss-cross style of tape when he plays field lacrosse but when playing box he just tapes his stick halfway up.

The Standard Tape Job

The Classic 1/4 Tape Job has been loved and used by my players over

Youth Lacrosse Tape Job

When I first started teaching my brother how to play lacrosse, I wrote Left Hand Always, Right Hand Shooting, and Right Hand Catching on the three locations; so he had an added reminder. It seems silly, but it helped him a lot and eventually I retaped his stick without the writing.

Box or 1/2 Tape Job

One of the most popular lacrosse tape styles is the 1/2 Box Tape Job.

Lacrosse Tape Quick Tips

• If you don’t like really grippy lacrosse tape then take an old pair of gloves and twist the palms on your shaft to remove the excess adhesive.
• Clean your lacrosse tape before you re-tape it. This helps ensure that your lacrosse tape will have the best contact with your shaft. This, in turn, will provide you with a long-lasting tape job.

The Do’s of Taping Your Lacrosse Stick

• Start from the bottom of your lacrosse shaft and work your way up, rather than from the top down. This will help the lacrosse tape lay flat and not pull up or roll-up. This will also increase the life of your tape job so you don’t have to retape as often.
• Use a hair blow dryer to heat up your tape after it’s applied to your lacrosse shaft and run your hand over it to ensure it’s secured. This helps prevent the tape from rolling or giving you those little frays that are annoying.

The Dont’s of Taping Your Lacrosse Stick

• Don’t use wax on it. I once had a player tell me that he would take some candle wax and rub it on his tape so it wasn’t as sticky. This did not work and I just wasted my tape since I did not like how it felt.
• Like I said above, don’t start at the top!
• Don’t re-tape your lacrosse stick prior to a game if you do not like really grippy tape. This will only throw your game off.

How to Tape a Lacrosse Stick

Best Tape for Lacrosse Stick

When it comes to taping your lacrosse stick there are a few different lacrosse stick tape designs that you can try. Some players have pre-game rituals and re-tape their stick prior to every game; while others like myself, use the same lacrosse tape jobs until they have to re-tape their stick.