The Evolution of FLOORBALL

April 2017

Back in 2017, as an exploration station, I spread out three cones in a row, each connected with jump ropes.  Along the wall, I placed a gator skin ball, three foam paddles., and a foam tennis ball. I figured each group would use the paddles and the foam tennis ball to volley over the net. To my surprise, the very first group developed what they called Floorball in just three minutes. Their rules were so simple. Strike the ball under the rope past the opposing player to receive a point. Brilliant!

The next group must have been intrigued by the first group, as they decided to build on the rules. In doing so, they added the “two touches” rule.  A player could block the ball (one-touch) then strike it (second touch) under the net. They also added a special rule for games of two players versus one. They used three cones evenly spaced as a net. If playing as a single-player, you could strike the ball to the left or the right of the center cone. Teams of two had to stand side by side and could only strike the ball through their side of the center cone. What a great way to balance the two-player advantage!  Again, genius!

Floorball has continued to evolve throughout the years. I proudly observe several variations of the game on social media to this very day. In the five years since witnessing its inception, I along with my students listed our official rules for traditional floorball. We have also created lead-up games and spin-offs which have proven equally fun. Below, find videos and descriptions of each of our floorball variations.

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TRADITIONAL FLOORBALL

How to play:

• 1 player on each side of the court.
• Player 1 serves from their end line to player 2.

• Both players must stand on their end line for the serve.
• Once the ball is served, players are free to move anywhere on their side of the court.

• The ball must go UNDER the net (jump rope).
• Each player is allowed a maximum of two hits/touches every time the ball comes to their side. For example, one hit/touch to block the ball (if needed) and another hit to strike it back to the opposing side.
• Players keep rallying back and forth until a point is scored.
• Each team takes turns serving.
• Play to 5 points, shake hands, switch sides & play again!

How to Score Points:

• Hit the ball past the opponent’s end line = 1 point for your team
• Hit the ball out of bounds (on either side) = 1 point for the opposition
• Hit ball over the net/rope = 1 point for the opposition
• Knock over the net/rope with the ball or racquet = 1 point for the opposition

FLOORBALL – STOP AND SHOOT VERSION

• In the video, I state that you can dribble the ball up to the net, then shoot. We later changed that rule since it was too much of an advantage.

This version of floorball is almost exactly the same as traditional floorball. However, players trap and stop the ball before striking it back to the opponent. This is different than the two-touch rules in traditional floorball since players must stop the ball.

FLOORBALL GOALIE PRACTICE

Even though floorball doesn’t technically have goalies, I like playing this game for offensive striking and defensive blocking practice. Set up two cones for a goal about 5-feet apart. Drop a spot 10-feet from the goal.

Round 1 – The player strikes the ball from the spot using proper striking fundamentals.

Round 2 – The player can advance the ball using the paddle toward the goalie before taking a shot.

I allow the goalies to use any part of the body and paddle to block the ball.

TEAM FLOORBALL

I like to play team floorball as a culminating activity. I play with 10 players on each team.

• Set up several goals on each side of a centerline. Determine the distance of the goals by the amount of scoring you’d like to see. I use foam balance beams for my goals but you could use other options such as cones or Pug goals. Place a crate full of beanbags near the centerline, as seen in the video.
• Each player has a foam paddle.
• Assign or allow the students to decide on a goalie for each goal.
• The goal is to strike a ball across the centerline, through one of the opposing team’s goals.
• When a player scores a goal, he/she retrieves a beanbag from a crate at the centerline and places it in their points hula hoop, which is located behind their end line.
• I like to use multiple balls during this game.

PADDLE PINBALL

Paddle pinball is similar to team floorball. I move the goals back to the end lines and add a variety of obstacles, much like a pinball machine. Obstacles can include aerobic steppers, mats, cones, or any other safe pieces of equipment. Make sure the setup on each side is identical. You can keep score similar to team floorball or simply play to have fun, which is what we most often do. I find that medium and small gator balls work best for each of these games.

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