Why Do Hockey Players Tap Their Sticks After A Fight?

To show their appreciation, approval and respect for their teammates and opponents in the sport of ice hockey, players will tap their sticks on the ice or against the boards, which typically happens after a fight.

I will explain why the tradition exists in the sport and why it’s unlikely to disappear anytime soon unless, of course, fighting is banned from the game (which isn’t happening anytime soon either).

Why Do Hockey Players Begin Stick Tapping After a Fight?

Instead of dropping their sticks, taking their gloves off and applauding, or giving a standing ovation, hockey players simply tap their sticks on the ice or against the boards at the bench after an on-ice fight.

This is to signify a show of respect to the combatants and as a way to acknowledge their courage, passion and sportsmanship.

Players on both teams have a habit and tradition of doing this, and it generally acknowledges that the effort was appreciated, and it’s now time to drop the puck and get going again as the conflict has come to an end.

If you look closely at the video below, once the fight concludes, the players on the ice surface begin tapping their sticks on the ice and the players on the bench start tapping them along the boards. See the stick taps at the 1:03 mark:

The Psychology Behind the Gesture

Basically, players tap their sticks to show their teammates that they have an “all for one and one for all attitude” during the game as they’re a team with unity and solidarity. It displays brotherhood and camaraderie during the game.

They realize the combatants are fighting to motivate their team and to stick up for a teammate they feel may have been abused or to simply stick up for themselves.

It’s simply a sign of mutual respect for anybody who is brave enough to drop their gloves and slug it out with an opponent to settle a score, all for the good of the team.

What Do Hockey Fans Do After a Fight?

In general, many hockey fans stand up, cheer, whistle, pound the glass, and applaud during and after a fight depending on their attitude towards fighting in the sport.

Of course, you aren’t likely to see fans who disagree with fighting on their feet and screaming while two players are going toe to toe on the ice.

Those who are against fighting are likely to remain quiet while sitting in their seats as players are throwing haymakers on the ice. However, most hockey fans love fighting as a part of the game.

Is Stick Tapping and Cheering After a Hockey Fight Condoning Violence?

Stick tapping and cheering doesn’t necessarily mean hockey players are condoning violence and fighting in their sport. It’s just a fact that fighting has always been and still is a part of the game. It’s not exactly legal, though as players are penalized for throwing their gloves down and swinging at each other, but rarely are players thrown out of a game for it.

While fighting is still tolerated in the game, players are always going to show their appreciation for their teammates and opponents by engaging in stick tapping. This will continue to happen regardless of their personal beliefs concerning fighting in the sport, as it’s a way of joining their teammates in a show of unity.

Players realize what a fight can mean to a hockey team, especially one that needs an emotional lift during a game. Sometimes a fight can give a club this lift and motivate them and sometimes it may simply backfire on them. But at least the combatants are putting in the effort in to provide that lift and are willing to do so by putting themselves in the face of danger.

A player is at risk of suffering an injury during a fight and is also going to spend some time in the penalty box for it. Teammates view this gesture as the ultimate act of selflessness and sacrifice and simply want their teammate to know how much it’s appreciated by them.

Read our related post “Why Fighting is Allowed in Hockey But Not Other Sports” here.