Quick answer
To win 1v1 in floorball, attack the defender at pace, sell a feint with your eyes, shoulders and hips, and then change speed or direction to go past. Keep the ball close, protect it with your body, and look up before you commit. The best attackers do not use ten moves: they master two or three and use them at the right moment, then finish with a shot or a pass.
Key takeaways
- Change of pace beats a fancy move. Slow down, then explode past the defender's stick.
- A feint works only if the defender believes it. Use your shoulders, hips and eyes, not just the blade.
- Keep the ball within one blade-length of your body until you commit to the move.
- Shielding means putting your body between the defender and the ball while your stick keeps the ball moving.
- Finish quickly. A dribble that ends in a poor shot wastes the work you did to get free.
- Two or three reliable moves, practised 100 times each, beat ten moves you only half know.
What makes a 1v1 move work?
Every successful 1v1 has the same three ingredients: space, timing and a threat. You need enough space to move, a good moment (when the defender's weight is on the wrong foot), and a believable threat, which is usually a shot or a pass. If the defender is not afraid of the shot, the feint means nothing.
Most players I coach try to beat the defender with the blade only. That is the weakest option, because the defender is watching the blade. Use your whole body: drop a shoulder, shift your hips, glance to one side. Then take the ball the other way in one clean touch.
Which moves should you learn first?
| Move | How it works | Best used when | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change of pace | Approach slowly, then accelerate past the defender's stick side | The defender is backing up fast | Easy |
| Fake shot and drag | Show a shot, then pull the ball to the side with the blade | The defender lunges to block | Medium |
| Side-to-side shift | Move the ball quickly from forehand to backhand to unbalance the defender | You have two metres of space | Medium |
| Through the legs | Play the ball between the defender's feet and collect it behind them | The defender has a wide stance | Hard |
| Shield and turn | Back into the defender, protect the ball, then turn away from pressure | You receive with your back to goal | Medium |
Start with change of pace and the fake shot. They teach the two principles behind every other move: deception and acceleration. Our guide to floorball dekes and moves shows more options when these two feel natural.
How do you protect the ball under pressure?
Shielding is not pushing. You turn your side or back to the defender, keep your knees bent, and hold the ball on the side of the blade that is furthest from them. Your stick moves the ball in small touches, and your body acts as a wall. The ball must never be played above knee height with the stick, so keep every touch low and short.
Practise by receiving a pass with a defender at your shoulder. Take the first touch away from the pressure, shield for two seconds, then look up for the free teammate. Our article on ball protection in floorball has more shielding drills.
Coach Erik's tip: Before you try a move in a game, use the "three-touch rule" in practice. A move may take at most three touches from start to finish. If it takes more, the defender recovers. Count the touches out loud for a week, and you will notice how many of your moves are too long.
How do you build 1v1 skills alone?
You do not need a defender to learn the first half of a 1v1. Practise your feints on a smooth surface with markers acting as defenders. The Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer (€69) folds into different shapes so you can rehearse tight turns and dodges in a small area. It is Made in Europe, designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability. Put it on the Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79) for a true roll, and 200 touches go by in ten minutes.
Then add a live defender once a week. A hallway game of 1v1 to a small target teaches decisions that no cone drill can.
Which 1v1 drills work best?
- Pace change (6 minutes). Dribble 8 m toward a marker. Walk the first 5 m, then accelerate past the marker on the last 3 m. 10 reps each side. Cue: the explosion starts with the first touch, not with your legs. Watch for: speeding up before the marker.
- Fake shot and drag (8 minutes). Mark a goal-sized gap with two cones. Show a wrist shot from 4 m, then drag the ball to the left or right of a marker and finish. 3 sets of 8 reps. Cue: the fake must make the marker lean. Watch for: stopping the ball before you drag it.
- Square 1v1 (6 minutes). A 4 x 4 m square with a small goal at each end. Attacker gets 20 seconds to score, then the roles swap. Play 8 rounds. Keep a score and aim to win the best of eight.
- Shield and turn (6 minutes). A partner presses lightly from behind. You receive, shield for two seconds, turn on the forehand or backhand, and pass to a marker 3 m away. 3 sets of 8. Cue: arm out, knees bent, ball on the far side.
- Finish drill (8 minutes). After beating a marker, take two touches and shoot at a target. 5 sets of 6 shots. Count your hits in a log.
When should you not go 1v1?
Going 1v1 is not always the right choice. If a teammate is free, the pass is better. If you are deep in your own zone, a safe pass beats a risky dribble. A simple rule: attack the defender when you are in the attacking third and have a team-mate behind you for support. Elsewhere, play with your head up and move the ball quickly. Our give-and-go guide shows a safer way to beat a defender with the help of a teammate.
Common mistakes
- Looking only at the ball. You miss the defender's weight and the free teammate. Fix: look at the defender's hips before every move.
- Going full speed all the time. A defender who reads your pace backs up easily. Fix: vary your speed on purpose.
- Trying a move too far from the goal. Losing the ball in the middle of the floor gives a counter-attack. Fix: save the risky moves for the attacking third.
- Lifting the blade. The ball can be played above knee height only by mistake. Fix: keep touches low and short.
- Stopping after the move. Players beat the defender and then waste the chance. Fix: finish in two touches.
- Only practising one side. The defender forces you to your weaker side. Fix: do half your reps on the backhand.
FAQ
How do I beat a defender in floorball?
Approach at a controlled speed, show a believable threat such as a shot, then change pace or direction with a short touch. Use your shoulders, hips and eyes to sell the feint. Keep the ball close and finish quickly with a shot or a pass.
What is the easiest 1v1 move to learn?
Change of pace is the easiest and one of the most effective. Slow down on approach, then accelerate past the defender on the stick side or the open side. Practise it 10 times on each side before you add more complicated moves.
How do I protect the ball in floorball?
Turn your side or back to the defender, bend your knees and keep the ball on the side furthest from the defender. Use small low touches with the blade and your body as a wall. Look up for the next option after about two seconds of shielding.
Can I practise 1v1 skills alone?
Yes. Use markers or a stickhandling trainer as pretend defenders and rehearse feints, drags and turns on a smooth floor. Add a live partner or a small 1v1 game once a week so you also train decisions and timing.
Should I always dribble past the defender?
No. If a teammate is free, a pass is often faster and safer. Use 1v1 moves in the attacking third, where a mistake costs less and a success creates a real chance. In your own zone, keep it simple.
How many 1v1 moves do I need?
Two or three that you can do under pressure on both sides. A pace change, a fake shot and a drag, and a shield and turn cover most situations. Improve them with repetition rather than adding new tricks every week.
Summary
Winning 1v1 in floorball is mostly about timing, deception and speed changes, with a few simple moves you can do on both sides. Practise alone for touches and add live 1v1 games for decisions. For more ideas, visit the Floorball Training hub and see the stickhandling gear in the passing and stickhandling collection.
