Table of Contents
What is a Floorball game?
Floorball game is a team sport played indoors. It is similar to hockey. We usually play it indoors with Floorball sticks and little plastic balls. Five players and a goalie make up each Floorball game squad. The goalie only wears a unique shirt and helmet.
Floorball game is very famous in recent times. Every year, there are more teams and players, and there is no sign that this trend will reverse. Men and women can play it indoors. Both men and women compete in Floorball tournaments.
Where did the Floorball game originate?
Early in the 1950s, the USA and Canada invented a game similar to Floorball. But in 1968, Sweden uncovered the modern version of the Floorball game.
Under the brand name Cosom, the United States introduced sticks and other plastic materials. Cosom floor hockey has since gained popularity in both the United States and Canada.
After the creation of IFF, it often played in the Nordic nations and sections of the rest of Europe and Japan in 1986. In 2011, Manual Wheelchair Floorball was part of the Para games.
The Special Olympics introduced Floorball in 2017. 2017 marked the first time Floorball was part of the World Games.
A recent development in the USA Floorball game history has been the creation of the North American Floorball League (NAFL).
Governing body
The International Floorball Federation (IFF) is the sport’s governing body on a global scale. Floorball representatives from Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland founded it in 1986, Sweden.
The IOC recognizes the organization as an ordinary member of the ARISF. Associations, committees, confederations, federations, and unions are all part of it. Currently, the IFF has 77 members.
Basic rules of the Floorball game
- Three to five field players and a goalkeeper play in the game, depending on the size of the court.
- Teams must have at least six and only twenty players.
- We played the game over three twenty-minute segments.
- The game may take 3 x 15 minutes to fit the time constraint of one hour.
- Only the goalkeeper can fit in a crease of 2.5 m by 1 m in front of a 115 cm by 160 cm goal. However, another player on the field can play the ball with a stick.
- We may not hit, block, raise, or kick an opponent’s stick and Push, tackle, or impede the opponent. To play the ball above knee level, we must use a stick.
- When hitting the ball, we should raise the blade above waist level, jump up, and stop the ball.
- Play the ball between your opponent’s legs with your stick.
For More visits, IFF.
Floorball Equipments
Floorball is simple to learn as it requires minimal equipment. We need a stick, a ball, a court, shoes, and clothes.
Floorball Stick
The Floorball stick should be long enough to reach midway between your chest and belly button. A player should not use Floorball sticks that are either long or too short for them. It may affect both the game’s safety and the ability to learn.
When selecting a stick, it’s crucial to consider its stiffness, length, shaft material, and blade form. Usually, when you buy a stick, you can see the blade is bent or hooked either to the right or left or straight. I do not recommend it to bend the blade.
Starting with a straight stick will give you the best chance to learn how to handle the ball and stick.
Floorball Ball
It is a hollow, molded plastic ball that comes in a variety of colors. The Floorball ball size is 72 mm in diameter, and the weight is 20 to 23 grams.
Floorball Goal Post and Courts
The goal post is 115cm (h) x 160cm (w) x 60cm (d). It has a 65mm diameter, is made with pipes, and is painted red. The nets are attached to the goalpost. Ultimately, the goalpost will be 40 meters by 20 meters with rounded corners.
Goalkeeper kits
Long pants with knee pads, a long sleeve shirt, a helmet, gloves, and shoes are required for the goalkeeper. Protect your knees and groin area with extra padding to prevent injuries.
How to play the Floorball game
The Floorball game is similar to hockey. It is playing with a Floorball stick and the ball and aiming at the goalpost to score. Each team comprises 5 players and a goalkeeper. Similar to hockey, Floorball players’ has specific duties like attacker, center, and defender.
For Play Floorball games, you should follow a few steps to play.
Working on Techniques
Techniques are essential while playing any of the games. So you must first learn the skills.
- First, learn how to pass and receive with a lethal Floorball stick.
- Then pass the Floorball ball with your teammates while running, which makes the combination play and controls the ball.
- After that, learn how to dribble. For this, you need some shapes and cones to practice effectively.
- Shooting practice is mandatory in the Floorball game. From different angles on the court, you have to take accurate shots into the net.
- Once you reach the right side of the net, walk in a semicircle and shoot from all angles.
- From passes, you must attempt to hit the ball into the net during practice.
- Practicing catching and defending balls will help you protect your goalposts if you are a goalkeeper.
- Always wear eyeglasses, knee pads, and gloves while practicing.
Following the Guidelines
- The team should be equal. If five players play on one team, five players must play on the other.
- It limited the roster size to 20 players.
- Players and goalkeepers must wear safety gear during the game.
- Play in a proper size Floorball court.
- Maintain the time and follow the rules.
- Maintain the position, and after the whistle, go for the ball and don’t make any fouls.
- Using your skills and scoring goals. The highest number of goal scorers will win the match within the time limit.
- Remember that the stick shouldn’t reach over your knee if you’re receiving the ball. The stick cannot reach higher than your waist when you are shooting.
- You cannot use your hands or head during the game.
- Any aggressive behavior might result in a 2-minute penalty.
- Both sides play for ten more minutes if there is a draw; the team that scores first wins.
Maintaining Position
- As a defender, you must concentrate on stopping the attack and closely marking your opponent.
- Take advantage of any opportunity to intercept passes from the other squad.
- As an attacker, try to score goals.
- You must continue to pressure the opponent’s defense and pass the score goal.
- Following your space creation, you can either find another teammate or try to score a goal after receiving the ball.
- As the center, assist the attack and defense.
- The key to playing center is to set oneself up to assist the attackers and defenders as necessary.
- Monitoring the ball is vital since you will move around a lot.
- As the goalkeeper, prevent the ball from going in.
- As a goalkeeper, you can use both hands inside the box, anticipating when the ball will reach the goal.
- On the outside of the box, you must sit on your knees to prevent the goal.
Improving your playing skills
- Choosing the right Floorball stick is essential.
- Practice more advanced shots and skills.
- Staying on the court is tough if you’re not a goalkeeper.
- Increase your stamina to cover more of the pitch.
- You won’t get as tired playing the game if you’re used to running.
- You must follow the ball backward with your stick before trapping it.
- To have the most impact and control, release the ball right when it is directly in front of you.
- A good dribble involves passing the ball back and forth between the stick’s blades in the middle.
- It takes a lot of practice to become an excellent dribbler, so start slowly.
- You can gradually reduce the distance between your passes as you improve your dribbling skills.
- Using slap shots and wrist shots to get quick goals.
- Using drag shots that will make you look like a pro player.
Floorball Events
World Floorball Championship
In 1996, the first International Floorball Federation organized the Men’s World Floorball Championship. Next year, IFF organized the Women’s World Floorball Championships. Sweden hosted the first Men’s World Championships.
This year Sweden won the Men’s World Floorball Championship.
At the same time, Finland hosted the first Women’s World Floorball Championship. But in the final, Sweden won the gold medal to beat Finland with a 4-2 result.
Sweden won the most number of titles in both the women’s and men’s categories. In 2007, the IFF decided to move the tournament from May to June to early December, starting in 2008. They play it every two years.
After Sweden, Finland won the most number of titles in the Men’s World Floorball Championships. In the Women’s World Championship, we see the same results as in the Men’s World Floorball Championship. In 2022, Sweden won the titles in both categories.
Asia Pacific Floorball Championship
In 2017, the Asia Oceania Floorball Confederation (AOFC) held its first AOFC Cup. All AOFC members are welcome to participate in the event, which is held in odd years for men and even years for women. The AOFC Cup replaces the Asia Pacific Floorball Championships.
Thailand hosted the AOFC Men’s Tournament for the first time in 2017. Thailand defeats Singapore 8-4 in the final. Every two years, it is organized. The 2019 AOFC Men’s competitions were held in the Philippines. This time, Singapore faced Thailand in the finals.
Singapore took revenge this time to beat Thailand with 17-1 results. Singapore hosted the first AOFC Women’s tournament in 2018 as well. This time Singapore beat Thailand with a 4-1 result in the final.
But in 2022, they will further organize it in recent times. In 2022, Singapore hosted the tournaments and won the trophy to beat the Philippines 4-1 in the final.
Czech Open
You may see a thrilling Floorball match if you travel to Prague, Czech Republic. One of the biggest Floorball competitions is this international event. It organizes over 200 teams every year. Six categories make up this competition. There are two categories for women (Elite and Open), three for men (Elite, Pro, and Open), and one for juniors.
Usually, sixteen teams play in elite divisions. Based on the teams’ standings, Czech Floorball leagues reserve a few spots for Czech teams. Swedish team Pixbo Wallenstam IBK is the most successful team in the men’s Elite categories.
In the Women’s elite category, the Swedish team Pixbo Wallenstam IBK is the leading title-holding team. There are only three teams from the Czech Republic that have won the men’s Elite category by the year 2022 – 1. SC Vítkovice, Tatran Střešovice, and FBC Ostrava. The Women Elite has only three Czech winners – Děkanka, Tatran, and Vítkovice.
The Canada Cup
A Canada Cup Floorball Championship is a yearly competition that takes place in the country that is usually known as The Canada Cup. Every year, Toronto, Ontario, hosts this international Floorball club open tournament over Victoria Day long weekend. With eight divisions ranging in age and skill level, it was first held in 2004.
Every year, it gathers around 50 Floorball clubs from throughout the world. Especially in 2010, it attracted 57 teams globally. Grassroots Floorball gave Floorball Canada the right to organize the Canada Cup Floorball Championship in 2015. USA NYC Floorball and CAN Salming Vikings clubs are the most successful clubs in the Canada cup.
North American Floorball League
The North American Floorball League (NAFL) seeks to bring the top level of Floorball to North America to expose the sport to a new audience and grow the game in new areas.
Floorball is a fast-paced, entertaining sport that has grown in popularity in Europe and is rapidly spreading globally, notably in North America. The NAFL was formed in 2020 and began to play in June 2022. It is made up of six teams from all over the United States.
There has never been a league more elite than the NAFL. It is usually held during the offseason when most of the top Floorball leagues are not in action. Efforts are taken to guarantee that this tournament attracts the greatest talent available while not interfering with club schedules. The Florida Vikings are the inaugural season champion in the NAFL.
Euro Floorball Cup
In the Euro Floorball Cup (EFC), the 5th and lower-ranked European national club champions compete. It has six teams of men and women in a total of twelve teams. The Champions Cup features the top European Club teams.
The European Football Championship (EFC) was first held in 1993. Balrog IK of Sweden was the inaugural men’s champion, while VK Rasket of Sweden was the first women’s champion. Following the 2000 World Championship, the competition switched to a biannual format until returning to an annual one in 2008.
The EuroFloorball Challenge is a qualifying tournament for the EuroFloorball Cup for teams that have not competed in the Champions Cup or EuroFloorball Cup.
Champions Cup
The International Floorball Federation organizes the Champions Cup, a Floorball event for the greatest clubs from the top four nations in the IFF World Ranking. Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland are the top five for men and women as of 2023. Every year in January, the event is held for men’s and women’s teams that won their respective national leagues the previous season.
It held the competition 28 times in various configurations, with the most recent being in 2023. It held the inaugural event in 1993. Since 2019, the current four-team format has been used. Swedes won the most championships, 23, in both men’s and women’s events.
Other events are planned for clubs from lower-ranked European nations: EuroFloorball Cup for countries ranked fifth through tenth and EuroFloorball Challenge for the remaining.
Floorball Players
In recent times, IFF has released a list of best players year-wise for the people. The Innebandymagazinet, together with national team coaches and international media, honors the world’s best Floorball game player for the 17th year. In 2021, the award went to Tobias Gustafsson, a defender for Storvreta IBK and Sweden’s national team.
You can now see the best Floorball game Players YEAR AFTER YEAR.
2021: Tobias Gustafsson, Sweden
2020: Kim Nilsson, Sweden
2019: Emil Johansson, Sweden
2018: Eero Kosonen, Finland
2017: Alexander Galante Carlström, Sweden
2016: Alexander Galante Carlström, Sweden
2015: Rasmus Enström, Sweden
2014: Kim Nilsson, Sweden
2013: Rasmus Enström, Sweden
2012: Mika Kohonen, Finland
2011: Mika Kohonen, Finland
2010: Mika Kohonen, Finland
2009: Mika Kohonen, Finland
2008: Magnus Svensson, Sweden
2007: Anders Hellgård, Sweden
2006: Anders Hellgård, Sweden
For more details, go to IFF.
Floorball game in India
After Cricket, Kabaddi, Hockey, and Football, Floorball is one of India’s most popular sports. It is gaining popularity among high school and college students in the 21st century.
In 2001, The Floorball Federation of India was set up. Even after ten years, they were unable to advance Floorball owing to a lack of collaboration. As a result, the International Floorball Organization decided to dissolve it and establish a new federation, the Indian Floorball Federation, in 2012.
Floorball game had several state teams since it gained popularity in India. As a member of the International Floorball Federation, the Indian Floorball Federation plays Floorball.
The Floorball Federations are approved Indian clubs like Delhi Strikers FBC, Madhya Pradesh Smashers FBC, Uttar Pradesh Quick Silver FBC, Haryana Warriors FBC, Punjab Lions FBC, and Ranchi Pirates FBC.
Floorball players in India include Ankit, Aarti Kira, Akash, Nancy, Saraswati Bhandari, etc.
Health Benefits of Floorball game
There are several health advantages of playing Floorball. It is a fast-paced workout with many sprints and direction changes that get the heart pumping. Such ongoing, intense physical activity is beneficial for heart health.
The activity also helps to improve muscle, endurance, and stamina. During the game, players need to change direction quickly, and this requires explosive power, cardiovascular endurance, and muscular endurance.
According to a recent study, playing Floorball can help women lower their blood pressure and lessen their risk of stroke.
The popularity of the Floorball game
Floorball game has lately gained popularity due to its ease of access and low cost. Floorball game has grown significantly throughout North America and several European nations. However, Asia is not far behind.
Asia and Oceania are the world’s most populous continents and are likely the fastest-growing Floorball continents. From 2017 to 18, the Asia-Oceania Floorball Cup attracts more spectators in Asia. The Asia Oceania Floorball Confederation (AOFC) currently has 17 IFF members.
Floorball games were quite popular in South American nations such as Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, and Venezuela. Individuals from Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru have indicated an interest in helping to promote and spread the game in their respective countries. Floorball fever is developing rapidly in some locations and will hopefully persist for a long time.
How is Floorball different from Field hockey?
TOPIC | FLOORBALL | FIELD HOCKEY |
---|---|---|
Invention Year | They created a Floorball game in probably 1968 in Sweden. | They created field hockey in probably 1800 in England. |
Duration | Official Floorball matches last 3 x 20 minutes. | Games last two halves, each 35 minutes long, with a 5-10 minute intermission. |
Playing Area | Floorball indoor ground court dimension is 96–115.5 cm long. | The field Hockey court dimension is around 91.4m long and 55m wide. |
Governing Body | The governing body of Floorball is the International Floorball Federation. | There is an international hockey federation that governs field hockey. |
Goalkeeping restrictions | In a Floorball game, the goalkeeper can’t use a stick. Goalies in Floorball games are on their knees and have protective creases to prevent players from accessing their net area. | In field hockey, goalkeepers use sticks. Their responsibility is to defend their side’s goal from the other team as they stand by themselves in front of it. |
End of the Word
It is easy to play for you guys, don’t miss the chance. Floorball games can improve your skills, stamina, and also your health. During the summer, many schools, universities, and gymnasiums organized Floorball games. It gives you exciting hockey-like feelings. So, if you are not playing yet, try it.
I appreciate your patience while you read. I’ll attempt to go into more detail about this in the future and present you with something fresh. If you love reading it, be sure to follow Sports Dribble on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
Discover more from SPORTS DRIBBLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.