Quick answer
Floorball training for under-10s should be 45–60 minutes at a club (or 20–30 minutes at home), built from games, with a ball for every child and almost no queues. Work on ball control, simple passing, first shots and movement through play. Use small groups, short explanations and plenty of encouragement, and keep results and positions out of it. At this age, ball touches and enjoyment predict long-term progress better than tactics.
Key takeaways
- Under-10s learn by playing. Aim for at least two thirds of every session to be games and playful drills.
- One ball per child wherever possible. More touches mean faster learning and fewer bored children.
- Keep instructions to 20–30 seconds and give one cue at a time.
- Rotate through ball control, passing, shooting and movement in every session.
- Use 2v2 and 3v3 games on small areas instead of full-size matches.
- Let every child try every role, including goalkeeper, rather than fixing positions early.
What should a session for under-10s look like?
I have coached groups of 8–12 players aged 7–9, and the sessions that work best are the ones with a clear rhythm: move, learn, play, finish. Children this age can concentrate for about 5 minutes on one activity. So plan many short blocks rather than a few long ones. The table gives a 60-minute plan for a club session. A parent running a home session can cut it down to the first four blocks.
| Block | Time | Content | Aim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival game | 5 min | Free dribbling, Traffic Lights or tag with the ball | Warm up with the ball |
| Ball control | 10 min | Cone slalom, figure eight, dribble and turn | Close control, head up |
| Passing | 10 min | Partner passing, wall passing, passing games | Pass and receive |
| Shooting | 10 min | Target shooting from 2–4 m, shooting games | Aim and technique |
| Small-sided games | 15 min | 2v2 and 3v3 with small goals, rotating teams | Use skills in a game |
| Cool-down and talk | 5 min | Walk, stretch, one thing each child did well | Positive finish |
Which skills should under-10s focus on?
Ball control
Control is the foundation. Children should learn to keep the ball close, move it left and right, stop it and change direction. Use the blade on both sides of the ball. An Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer (€69) gives children something to dodge and weave around at home, and it folds for carrying. See our article on tricks for kids for fun skills they can show their friends.
Passing and receiving
Start with short forehand passes of 2–3 m, then add backhand and receiving. Teach the idea of "soft hands" so the ball does not bounce away. Introduce the habit of moving after a pass. At home, the Extreme Floorball Passer (€129) is a good partner for repetitions. More in the passing technique guide.
Shooting
The first shots should be wrist shots from short distances with a focus on aim, not power. Shoot at targets, count the hits and gradually increase the distance to 4–5 m. The Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (€34) set gives children clear aims on a full-size goal (160 x 115 cm). See also the wrist shot.
Movement and awareness
Running, stopping, side steps and quick changes of direction all belong in the session. A simple scanning game helps: a coach holds up fingers behind the player and the child calls out the number while dribbling. It builds the habit of looking up that later turns into game understanding.
Four drills to use this week
- Dribble and freeze (5 minutes). Every child has a ball and dribbles in a 10 x 10 m square. On the whistle they freeze with the ball under the blade. Last to freeze does 5 touches on the spot. Cue: "Ball close, eyes up." Watch for: players who run into others. Remind them to scan.
- Triangle passing (8 minutes). Groups of three stand in a triangle 3 m apart with one ball. Pass and follow your pass to the next spot. Count how many passes in 60 seconds. Beat the score. Cue: "Pass, move, receive."
- Four-target shooting (8 minutes). Four cones form corners of a goal. Each child takes 4 shots at each corner, 16 in all, and records hits. The pairs swap roles after each round, with the partner collecting balls.
- 3v3 to three small goals (10 minutes). Three small goals are spread around the area, and each team can attack any goal. Games last 3 minutes, then teams rotate. Rule: everybody must touch the ball before a shot counts.
Coach Erik's tip: Ask more than you tell. Instead of "pass earlier", ask "where was your teammate?". Children give very good answers, and they remember what they discover themselves far longer than what they are told.
How should you coach under-10s?
- Demonstrate, do not lecture. A 20-second demo beats a 2-minute explanation.
- Praise specific things. "Great, you looked up before you passed" is better than "good job".
- Mix the groups. Rotate partners so children play with different levels.
- Allow mistakes. A child who tries a new move and fails is learning. Do not stop the game to correct every error.
- Safety rules every time. Stick below waist height, ball played below knee height, and no swinging when someone is close.
If you coach a team, our articles on development-first coaching and small-sided games give a longer view.
What home practice helps between sessions?
Two or three short home sessions a week, of 15–20 minutes, speed up progress noticeably. Children need a smooth, safe place to practise, and a few simple tools. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand with its own products and no middlemen, so prices stay low, and everything is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
| Need | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth surface in a hallway, garage or garden | Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (0.9 m²) | €79 |
| Ball control games | Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer | €69 |
| Passing alone | Extreme Floorball Passer | €129 |
| Shooting aims | Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets | €34 |
| Safe shooting zone | Extreme Backstop Net 5x2,5 m | €129 |
The Extreme Floorball Tiles, Passer, Stickhandling Trainer and Shooting Targets are Made in Europe. Ideas for the whole family are in home floorball setup for parents.
Common mistakes
- Queues and waiting. Fix: use stations, pairs and one ball per child so everyone is active.
- Too much tactics. Fix: leave positions and systems for later. Focus on touches, passing and fun.
- Playing only the best players. Fix: rotate roles and teams so each child gets equal time and experience.
- Drills without a game. Fix: end each block with a related game so the skill is used immediately.
- Power shots too early. Fix: aim first, speed later. Technique and accuracy build the base.
- Shouting from the sideline. Fix: encourage, and let the coach give the instructions. Children cannot process many voices.
FAQ
How long should floorball training be for under-10s?
A club session of 45–60 minutes with many short blocks works well. At home, 20–30 minutes is plenty. Change activity every 5–10 minutes to keep attention.
How many players should be in a group for under-10s?
Groups of 8–12 players with one or two coaches or helpers are manageable. Divide them into pairs or groups of three for most activities so each child gets many touches.
Should under-10s play full-size matches?
Small-sided games like 2v2 or 3v3 on a smaller area are more effective for learning. Children touch the ball more often and make more decisions. Follow your league's guidelines for age-group games.
Should young players specialise in a position?
No. Let children try attack, defence and goalkeeper roles. Position-specific training is better left for older ages when they have built general skills.
How can I help my under-10 improve at home?
Do two or three sessions a week of 15–20 minutes with ball control, wall passing and target shooting. Use tiles for a smooth surface and count results to create friendly challenges. A net behind the goal keeps the session safe.
What equipment does an under-10 need?
A stick of the right length (reaching roughly to the navel in shoes), a floorball, indoor shoes and comfortable clothes. For home training, tiles, a passer, targets and a net make practice more varied.
Summary
Training under-10s is about fun, movement and many touches. Structure sessions into short blocks, use games throughout, give one cue at a time and allow every child to try every role. Add 15–20 minutes of home practice and the progress comes naturally. When your player moves up, read training for 10–13 year olds, and visit the Youth Floorball hub.
