In today’s game, lacrosse players are more equipped than ever with advanced heads, lightweight shafts, and engineered mesh. Yet, one of the most overlooked aspects of stick setup remains something simple but critical: tape.
Walk through any youth sideline, and you’ll notice a common trend - players using their sticks exactly as they came out of the box. No customization. No personal touch. Just stock equipment. And while the technology behind modern sticks is impressive, a stick that isn’t personalized will never truly feel like an extension of the player.
Tape Isn’t Just for Grip… It’s About Control
The tape on your shaft isn’t just decoration or a way to make your stick look cool. It’s a tool. One that affects your grip, control, and confidence.
Taping allows you to define the feel of your stick. The placement and texture of tape can help you know exactly where your hands are without looking. It affects how you cradle, shoot, and pass - and even the speed of your release.
- Some of the best players in the world are often seen with tape that covers a large percentage of their shaft - for maximum feel, improving stick work, and limiting uncontrolled sliding.
Every position, and every player, has unique needs. Tape helps your stick adapt to you.
Customization Builds Confidence
A lacrosse stick should be as unique as the player holding it. When you tape your own shaft, you’re building muscle memory around your setup. You know exactly where your hands go on a shot. You feel the same grip every time you dodge. That consistency builds confidence, and confidence builds better players.
When players don’t take ownership of their stick setup, they give up an opportunity to grow their connection with the game. The best players in the world don’t just pick up any stick and go play, they fine-tune every detail until it feels right.
Educate. Customize. Elevate.
Coaches, parents, and players alike should treat taping as part of the learning process, not an afterthought. Educating players on why and how to tape a stick helps them understand the relationship between comfort, control, and performance.
The goal isn’t to copy someone else’s tape job, it’s to discover what works best for you. Try different styles, different lengths, different feels. Experiment until your stick feels natural in your hands.
The Bottom Line
Every player deserves a stick that’s truly theirs. One that feels right, performs right, and gives them confidence every time they step on the field. Taping your shaft isn’t just about aesthetics or routine. It’s about ownership, customization, and performance.
So don’t just use what you’re given. Make your stick yours. Tape it, test it, and take your game to the next level.
