Quick answer
Every floorball player needs ten core skills: grip and stance, stickhandling, forehand passing, backhand passing, receiving, wrist shot, backhand shot, protecting the ball, scanning (looking up), and footwork, meaning quick steps and balance. The table below turns each skill into a simple self-test, so you can see what to train first.
Key takeaways
- Ten skills cover almost everything you do on the floor.
- Each skill has a self-test you can do alone in 1–2 minutes.
- Rate yourself honestly: pass, almost, or not yet. Train the "not yet" items first.
- Most skills need only 1–3 m² and a few pieces of simple gear.
- Retest every four weeks to see real progress.
- Balance matters: shooting is only one of ten skills.
What are the ten floorball skills every player needs?
Most players I coach are strong in two or three skills and weak in the rest. The game rewards the all-round player, so use this list as a checklist. First, a quick note on grip: describe your grip by the side of your body that the blade is on. If the blade is on your left side, you hold the stick with your right hand low on the shaft (and vice versa). This avoids the confusion around "left-handed" and "right-handed".
| # | Skill | Self-test | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grip and stance | Hold your stick in a low stance for 30 seconds | Knees bent, back flat, hands 30–40 cm apart |
| 2 | Stickhandling | Side-to-side touches for 30 seconds | Under 3 lost balls |
| 3 | Forehand pass | 10 passes at a target from 3 m | 8 of 10 on target |
| 4 | Backhand pass | 10 backhand passes from 3 m | 6 of 10 on target |
| 5 | Receiving | Receive 10 hard passes and stop the ball | 8 of 10 under control |
| 6 | Wrist shot | 10 shots at the corners from 4 m | 5 of 10 in or on the target |
| 7 | Backhand shot | 10 backhand shots from 3 m | 4 of 10 on target |
| 8 | Ball protection | Shield the ball from a partner for 15 seconds | Keep it 3 of 3 times |
| 9 | Scanning | Stickhandle while calling out a number a partner shows | 8 of 10 correct |
| 10 | Footwork and balance | Stand on one leg with the stick for 20 seconds | No wobble on either leg |
These pass marks are my own coaching benchmarks to help you compare yourself week to week, not official standards. Adjust them for age: for under-12s, halve the distances and lower the targets.
How do I train each skill?
Skills 1–2: Grip, stance and stickhandling
These are the foundation. Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulders, knees bent, weight on the balls of your feet. Keep the blade close to the floor. For stickhandling, the Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer (€69) lets you build routes for tight turns and quick pulls. It is Made in Europe and easy to carry. Read the full grip and stance guide if you want to check your basics.
Skills 3–5: Passing and receiving
Receiving is the most underrated skill in the list. A good first touch buys you time. Pass against a wall or a rebounder until 20 passes in a row land on the spot. The Extreme Floorball Passer (€129) returns the ball with a predictable bounce, so you can practise forehand, backhand and receiving without a partner. See our passing technique guide for details.
Skills 6–7: Shooting
Start with accuracy and technique, then add power. Use a smooth surface and a target. A set of Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (€34) attaches to a standard goal and gives you three aim points. The targets are Made in Europe. The official goal is 160 x 115 cm, so aim for the corners. More in our wrist shot guide.
Skills 8–10: Protection, scanning and footwork
These skills separate good players from average ones. Shielding the ball means keeping your body between the opponent and the ball while you move. Scanning means a quick look at teammates and space before the ball arrives. Footwork means fast, small steps and a low centre of gravity. Practise all three in small-sided games.
Coach Erik's tip: Do the self-test once a month on the same day and note the results. After three months, you will know exactly which skills are improving and which have been neglected.
What equipment helps with all ten skills?
You can start with a stick and a ball. If you want one purchase that covers stickhandling, passing and surface, the Extreme Floorball Skills Kit (€569) includes 4.9 m² of tiles, the Passer Pro and the Stickhandling Trainer. Only the tiles, passer and trainer inside it are Made in Europe. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand, designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability, with products built to elite players' demands.
A 25-minute skills session
- Warm-up (4 minutes). Leg swings, hip circles, 30 touches.
- Stickhandling and scanning (6 minutes). Three drills of 2 minutes. Cue: look up every third touch.
- Passing and receiving (7 minutes). 30 forehand, 20 backhand, 10 receive-and-turn. Watch for: the blade closing too early.
- Shooting (6 minutes). 15 forehand wrist shots and 5 backhand shots to the corners.
- Balance finisher (2 minutes). One-leg stands and light stretching.
How do I read my self-test results?
Once you have scored yourself, group your results into three levels. Skills where you passed the mark are your strengths: keep them alive with one short block a week. Skills where you were close are your next focus: give them two blocks a week. Skills where you were far away are your priority: train them first in every session until they move up a level.
| Result | Label | Training dose per week |
|---|---|---|
| Pass mark reached | Strength | 1 x 5 minutes |
| Within 2 points of the mark | Developing | 2 x 8 minutes |
| Far below the mark | Priority | 3 x 10 minutes, first in the session |
Most players I coach are surprised by how uneven their scores are. A player with a strong shot often has a weak backhand pass, and a player with great stickhandling often struggles to look up. That unevenness is exactly what the test reveals, and it is the cheapest way I know to decide what to practise.
Common mistakes
- Only training skills you already like. Fix: do the self-test and start with your lowest score.
- Ignoring the backhand. Fix: give it 30% of your passing and shooting reps.
- Skipping scanning. Fix: add a head-up rule to every drill.
- Training with poor posture. Fix: knees bent, back flat, weight forward.
- Testing once and forgetting. Fix: retest every four weeks and write down the scores.
FAQ
What are the most important skills in floorball?
Stickhandling, passing, receiving and shooting are the core four. Grip, stance, ball protection, scanning and footwork support them and are just as important for game performance.
Which skill should I train first?
Your lowest self-test score, but if in doubt start with first touch and stickhandling. Almost everything else depends on controlling the ball.
How long does it take to learn these skills?
Basic control comes within a few weeks of regular practice. Accuracy, speed and game sense take months and seasons, so keep a long-term view.
Do I need a partner to train these skills?
Not for most of them. Stickhandling, passing against a wall or rebounder, and shooting can be trained alone. Ball protection and scanning are best with a partner.
How should kids approach the list?
Treat it as a game. Use shorter distances, count touches and celebrate progress. Make sure sessions are fun and never longer than 20 minutes for younger children.
How often should I retest my skills?
Every four weeks is a good rhythm. It is long enough for real change and short enough to keep motivation up.
Summary
Ten skills, one honest self-test and a plan to fix the weakest ones: that is the fastest route to becoming a complete floorball player. Train in short sessions, balance your reps and retest monthly. Explore more in the Floorball Training hub, and see how to get better at floorball fast for the bigger picture.
