Quick answer
The backhand pass uses the back of the blade to pass the ball to the side opposite your normal forehand side. Place the ball slightly in front of your body, turn the back of the blade towards the target, push through with both hands and follow through low. Practise 30 backhand passes at 3 m, and receive on the backhand too, to make it as reliable as your forehand.
Key takeaways
- Describe grip by blade side: if your blade is on your left side, your forehand is the left side of the body and your backhand is the right.
- Use the back of the blade, keep it flat and follow through towards the target.
- The backhand pass is the quickest way to escape a defender on your forehand side.
- Keep the stick below waist height in the swing and follow-through.
- Match the number of forehand and backhand reps in every session.
- Receive on the backhand as often as you pass on it.
What is the backhand pass in floorball?
If your blade is on your left side, your forehand pass uses the front of the blade on your left, and your backhand pass uses the back of the blade on your right. Players often say left-handed or right-handed, but describing which side the blade is on is clearer, and it works for everyone. The backhand pass keeps the ball away from a defender who is pressing your forehand side, and it lets you pass without turning your body.
How do you pass on the backhand step by step?
| Phase | What you do | Coaching cue |
|---|---|---|
| Set-up | Ball in front of your body, a little to the backhand side | Ball slightly ahead |
| Blade | Turn the back of the blade towards the target, flat to the floor | Blade flat, not tilted |
| Hands | Top hand steers, lower hand pushes | Push, do not slap |
| Weight | Shift from the back foot to the front foot | Step to the target |
| Follow-through | Keep the blade low and pointing at the target | Finish low |
Which backhand drills should you do?
- Static backhand pairs. 4 m apart, 30 backhand passes each, receiving on the backhand. Cue: keep the blade flat on the floor.
- Cone gate. Two cones 60 cm apart on the floor. Pass backhand through the gap from 3 m. 20 clean passes, then step back to 4 m.
- Forehand to backhand. Receive on the forehand, pull the ball across the body, pass on the backhand. 15 reps each way. Watch for: dragging the ball too far from your body.
- Backhand with a defender. A passive defender shadows you at 2 m. Use the backhand to pass past the defender's stick side. 8 reps each, then swap.
- Solo with a passer. On a passer, play 40 backhand passes and receive each return on the backhand. For a rebounder, the Extreme Floorball Passer Pro (€149) has two slots, which makes it easy to switch between straight passes and volleys.
Coach Erik's tip: Practise backhand passes on days when you feel clumsy. It is the side that feels worst, so it gives the biggest gain.
When should you use the backhand pass in a game?
Use it when a defender is closing your forehand side, when you are turning away from pressure, or when the ball is already on your backhand and a second touch would cost you time. A common situation in games is a ball rolling in on your backhand: a quick backhand pass saves the turn and keeps the move flowing. For give-and-go patterns that make use of this, read the give-and-go guide, and for the complete picture start with the passing technique guide.
What equipment helps?
A smooth surface helps the ball roll true. The Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79) covers 0.9 m². Together with a passer, such as the Extreme Floorball Passer Pro (€149), you can add a lot of backhand reps in a short session. Both are made in Europe and designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability. Browse the passing and stickhandling collection.
How do you build a stronger backhand over four weeks?
The backhand improves fastest when you give it a dedicated block. Here is a simple plan that fits into a normal week. Each session is 8–10 minutes and can be done alone or with a partner.
| Week | Focus | Reps | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flat blade, static passes | 3 x 20 | 3 m |
| 2 | Accuracy through a 60 cm gate | 3 x 15 | 3–4 m |
| 3 | Receive on forehand, pass on backhand | 3 x 15 | 4 m |
| 4 | Backhand passes with a passive defender | 3 x 8 | 4 m |
Most players I coach want to start with the defender, but the defender only makes sense once the blade stays flat without thinking. Be honest in week 1: if the ball pops up, slow down and shorten the swing. Keep your stick below waist height in the swing and the follow-through, and keep the ball on the floor. When the backhand starts to feel natural, use it in games. Set a goal of three backhand passes per match or training game, and ask a teammate to count them. For the other side of the same skill, read how to receive the ball, and for solo gear, see how to practise passing alone.
How do you track backhand progress?
Most players I coach say their backhand "feels better" without ever measuring it. A simple test removes the guesswork. Once a week, stand 3 m from a wall or a partner and play 20 backhand passes in a row. Count only the passes that hit your target spot (a piece of tape or a cone, about the size of a hand) and come back clean enough to receive on the backhand again.
| Week | Distance | Target score (out of 20) | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 m | 10 | Blade flat, ball in front of the body |
| 2 | 3 m | 13 | Weight to the front foot |
| 3 | 4 m | 13 | Low follow-through towards the target |
| 4 | 5 m | 14 | Receive and pass without a second touch |
If the score drops when the distance grows, stay at the shorter distance for another week. Distance should be earned, not forced. Write the score on your phone or on a piece of tape on the wall, and compare your forehand score on the same test: the gap between the two is your real training target. Cue: "Same pass, other side." Watch for: pulling the ball back towards your feet before every pass, which costs time and gives a defender a free step.
Common mistakes
- Tilting the blade. Fix: keep the face of the blade flat and parallel to the target.
- Swinging with the arms only. Fix: shift your weight and let the lower hand push the ball.
- Looking at the ball. Fix: glance at the target before you pass.
- Ball too far away. Fix: keep the ball in front of your feet and within reach.
- Avoiding the backhand in games. Fix: set yourself a target of three backhand passes per training game.
FAQ
What is a backhand pass in floorball?
A backhand pass uses the back of the blade to play the ball to the side opposite your forehand. It lets you pass without turning your body.
Which side is my backhand?
It depends on which side your blade is on. If the blade is on your left side, your forehand is the left side of your body and your backhand is the right.
How do I make my backhand pass more accurate?
Keep the blade flat, place the ball slightly ahead of your body and finish low pointing at the target. Practise through a 60 cm gate at 3 m.
How many backhand passes should I do each session?
Aim for about 30–40 backhand passes, equal to your forehand reps. A short block of 5 minutes is enough.
Can I practise the backhand pass alone?
Yes. Use a wall or a passer and play 40 backhand passes, receiving every return on the backhand.
Why does my backhand pass go up in the air?
The blade is usually tilted or the wrists snap upward. Keep the blade flat and push the ball along the floor.
Summary
The backhand pass makes you harder to defend and quicker to play. Use the back of the blade, keep it flat, push through, finish low and match your forehand reps. For more, browse the Passing hub. Follow us on Instagram @better_floorball.
