Quick answer
A floorball slap shot is a hit: you take a short backswing, strike the ball with the blade moving fast, and follow through toward the target. The rules matter here. The stick must stay below waist height in both backswing and follow-through, and the ball may not be played above knee height with the stick. A good slap shot comes from weight transfer, a firm bottom hand and a clean contact, not from a bigger swing.
Key takeaways
- The slap shot is a hit, not a pull. It is slower to prepare than a wrist shot but can be very hard.
- Keep the backswing below waist height every time. It is a rule and it also makes the shot cleaner.
- Hit the ball, not the floor. The blade should arrive low and flat through the ball.
- Power comes from the legs and trunk, with the top hand guiding and the bottom hand striking.
- Use it when you have time and space, such as from a pass in the open. Use the wrist or snap shot when you are under pressure.
- Always check where teammates and opponents are before a slap shot.
When should you use a slap shot?
I tell the players I coach that the slap shot is a tool, not a default. It takes a little longer to prepare than a wrist shot or a snap shot, and the goalkeeper sees it coming. It is best when you have a free moment and some distance, for example a long shot after a pass from the side, a free hit (the opponents must stand 3 m away), or a one-timer where the ball arrives at the right speed. Under tight pressure, a quicker shot gives better results.
| Shot | Backswing | Speed to release | Best used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrist shot | Almost none | Fast | Close to medium range, any time |
| Snap shot | Very short | Very fast | Quick chances, under pressure |
| Slap shot | Short to medium, below waist | Slower | Free space, free hits, long range |
How do you hit a slap shot step by step?
1. Set up
Stand side-on to the target with your knees bent. Place the ball about level with your front foot. Spread your hands 40–50 cm on the shaft, a bit wider than for a wrist shot, so the bottom hand has room to strike. Your blade is on the side of the body you have chosen as natural.
2. Backswing
Lift the blade backwards and slightly up, but keep the whole stick below waist height. Look at the ball, not at the stick. This is the part where many players go too high, and it is not allowed.
3. Hit
Swing down and through, pushing your weight from the back foot to the front foot. Your top hand pulls the shaft toward your hip while your bottom hand drives the blade into the back of the ball. The blade should meet the ball low and flat just after touching the floor, so you do not top it or scoop it into the air.
4. Follow-through
Let the blade continue toward your target and stop low. Both the backswing and the follow-through must remain under waist height, and the ball must not be played above knee height. A low follow-through also tells you the ball was hit cleanly.
What does a good slap shot feel like?
When the contact is right, the shot makes a sharp, short sound and the ball stays low. If you hear a hollow sound and see the ball bounce, you probably hit the floor first. If the ball lifts too high, the blade opened or the ball was too far forward. Use these simple signals to fix yourself, one detail at a time.
Stick choice also matters a little. A shaft that is too stiff for you will not bend and gives less speed, while one that is too soft feels wobbly. Flex is given in mm, and a lower number means a stiffer shaft. Lighter and younger players usually do best with softer flex. Read more in our guide on how to choose a floorball stick.
Where can you practise slap shots safely?
A slap shot sends a hard plastic ball (72 mm, about 23 g) fast, so safety is part of training. Practise in a place where the ball cannot reach windows, cars or people. A backstop net catches misses, and the shooting surface should be smooth and flat so the ball does not jump. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand with its own products, designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
| Product | Price | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Floorball Shooting Pad 120x60 cm | €59 | Portable pad with a built-in handle |
| Extreme Floorball Goal | €149 | Full-size, foldable goal |
| Extreme Backstop Net 5x2,5 m | €129 | Catches misses behind and beside the goal |
| Extreme Safety Net 7,5x2,6 m | €139 | Wider net for a bigger shooting zone |
| Floorball 50-Pack | €89 | Plenty of balls for repeated shots |
For a one-box solution, the Extreme Floorball Shooting Kit (€199) has the goal and the 120x60 cm pad. See also the goal and backstop collection.
Coach Erik's tip: Before you add power, take 10 slap shots at half speed and listen to the contact. A clean, low "crack" at half speed becomes a hard shot later. Players who start at full speed usually top the ball and learn bad habits.
Which drills improve the slap shot?
- Swing without ball (3 minutes). Make 15 slow swings with the backswing below waist height and a low follow-through. Cue: the blade passes the floor, not above it.
- Half-speed hits (6 minutes). From 5 m, take 4 sets of 6 hits at the goal. Rest 30 seconds. Cue: ball level with the front foot, bottom hand drives.
- Corner targets (8 minutes). Place two targets in the low corners. 3 sets of 8 shots. Watch for: lifting the ball above knee height.
- Pass-and-hit (8 minutes). A partner passes from the side, you receive and hit within two touches. 4 sets of 5. Cue: take the first touch toward your hitting position.
- Free hit routine (5 minutes). Place the ball, imagine a wall 3 m away, and take 10 slap shots, picking a target each time.
Compare with the quicker options in the wrist shot step by step and snap shot technique.
Common mistakes
- A backswing above the waist. Illegal, slow and dangerous. Fix: keep the whole stick below waist height, even if it feels short at first.
- Hitting the floor first. The ball bounces or dies. Fix: place the ball so the blade reaches it just after touching the floor, and keep the bottom hand firm.
- Arm-only hits. Fix: start with weight on the back foot and finish with weight on the front foot.
- Playing the ball too high. Fix: finish low, and remember the ball may not be played above knee height with the stick.
- Using the slap shot under pressure. Fix: switch to a wrist or snap shot when a defender is close.
- Practising without a net. Fix: set up a backstop or practise in a place where stray balls cannot do damage.
FAQ
What is a slap shot in floorball?
A slap shot is a hit where you take a short backswing and strike the ball with the blade moving fast. The stick must stay below waist height in the backswing and follow-through, and the ball may not be played above knee height.
Is the slap shot allowed in floorball?
Yes, as long as the stick stays below waist height in the backswing and follow-through and the ball is not played above knee height. A high backswing is a rule violation and a safety risk.
When should I use a slap shot instead of a wrist shot?
Use a slap shot when you have time and space, for example on a free hit or a long shot from a pass. In tight spaces or under pressure, a wrist shot or snap shot is quicker and harder to read.
Why does my ball go too high on a slap shot?
Usually because the ball is too far forward, the blade opens on contact or you hit under the ball. Place the ball level with the front foot, keep the blade low and finish low.
How wide should my hands be for a slap shot?
About 40–50 cm apart works for most players, slightly wider than for a wrist shot. That gives the bottom hand room to drive the blade into the ball.
How can I practise slap shots at home safely?
Use a smooth surface, a goal and a backstop net so misses cannot reach windows, cars or people. Start with half-speed hits and increase power only when contact is clean.
Summary
The slap shot is a hit that rewards clean contact, weight transfer and a low, controlled swing. Keep the stick below waist height, hit the ball low and flat, and use the shot when you have space. Practise safely with a pad, a goal and a backstop net, and compare it with quicker shots in the Floorball Shooting hub. Follow us on Instagram @better_floorball.
