Quick answer
A floorball team plays with five outfield players and a goalkeeper, and the outfield players usually fill three roles: defenders who protect the zone in front of the goal, a centre who links defence and attack and covers the most ground, and forwards (wingers) who create and finish chances. The rules do not fix who stands where, so positions are tactical roles, and the best young players learn all of them before they specialise.
Key takeaways
- Each team has five outfield players and a goalkeeper on the floor. How you spread those five players is a tactical choice, not a rule.
- Defenders need a calm first pass, good body position and a stick that stays below waist height.
- The centre does the most running and the most deciding. Scanning and passing range matter more than a hard shot.
- Forwards live on first touch, quick release shots and moving into space away from the ball.
- Every role needs the same basics: ball control, passing, receiving and shooting. Specialise after you have tried everything.
- Youth players should rotate positions every few weeks to build game understanding.
How many players play, and where do they stand?
A team has five outfield players and a goalkeeper on the floor. The goalkeeper plays without a stick. A full rink is 40 x 20 m with 50 cm boards, and the goal is 160 x 115 cm. Beyond that, the rulebook leaves the shape of your team to you. Coaches normally describe the outfield group as two defenders, one centre and two forwards, often written as 2-1-2. Some teams play with a more compact shape in defence or push a defender high when they attack, and the names can change from club to club.
What matters for a player is not the label but the job. In my experience, kids who understand the job of the player next to them become good teammates much faster than kids who only learn their own corner of the floor. Read our guide to floorball game understanding if you want to see how scanning ties all the roles together.
What does each position actually do?
| Role | Main job in defence | Main job in attack | Key skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defender | Close the area in front of the goal, block shots, win the ball with the stick | Start the attack with a clean first pass, join from behind when it is safe | Body position, stick position, passing under pressure, reading the shooter |
| Centre | Cover the middle, support both sides, track the opposing centre | Connect the zones, change the direction of play, find the free player | Scanning, passing with both forehand and backhand, stamina |
| Forward (winger) | Press the ball carrier, close passing lanes, get back when possession is lost | Receive in space, take on defenders, finish chances | First touch, quick release shot, 1v1 moves, timing of runs |
A good habit is to ask one question before every shift: where is my job right now? If your team has the ball, your job is to create an option. If the other team has it, your job is to take space or the passing lane away.
What does a defender need to be good at?
The defender is the last line before the goalkeeper, so calm decisions beat wild challenges. Stay between the ball and the goal, keep your stick low and in the passing lane, and use your body to guide the attacker toward the boards or a less dangerous angle. Remember the basic safety rule: the stick must stay below waist height in the backswing and follow-through, and the ball must not be played above knee height with the stick.
With the ball, the defender should make the simple pass first. Look up before you receive, take one touch to open your body, then play the ball to the centre or a free winger. Our guide to defending skills in floorball goes into stick position and blocking in more detail.
What to train: receiving under pressure, backhand passes, and the backward-to-forward turn. A rebounder such as the Extreme Floorball Passer (€129) gives a defender hundreds of reps of receive-and-pass in a hallway or garage.
What makes a good centre?
The centre has the longest shift in terms of distance. You support the defenders when the ball is deep, then sprint to join the attack when it turns. Because you touch the ball more than anyone, your passing must be accurate in both directions, and your head must be moving. I tell my centres to look over their shoulder before every pass they receive, not after.
Shooting still matters, but a centre is judged by how many teammates get better chances because of them. Practise one-touch passing, give-and-go combinations and switches of play from one side to the other. The sibling article on give-and-go plays is a great starting point.
Coach Erik's tip: If you play centre, set yourself a scanning target: look at two different teammates or spaces before every pass in a small-sided game. Ask a friend to count how often your head turns in a five-minute game. Most players I coach turn less than they think.
What do forwards need?
Forwards live near the goal, so everything is faster: the first touch must set up the shot, and the shot must leave the blade quickly. A winger also has to move well without the ball. Staying close to the defender makes it easy for them. Moving into the gap between two defenders, or behind the player marking you, makes you available and forces the defence to decide.
The training focus is first touch and finishing. Receive on the move, take one touch across your body, and shoot. A set of Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79) gives you a smooth, true surface for hundreds of receive-and-turn repetitions at home. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand, the tiles are designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability, and they are Made in Europe. For more on finishing, see receive and shoot.
Which position suits which player?
| If you are... | Try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Calm, good at reading the game, happy to play simple | Defender | Decisions and positioning matter more than speed |
| Fit, curious, good passer with both sides of the blade | Centre | The role rewards stamina and vision |
| Quick, confident in 1v1, loves shooting | Forward | You get the most chances to finish |
| Still young or unsure | All three, in rotation | Seeing the game from each spot builds understanding |
How can you train for your position at home?
- Defender: receive-and-pass (8 minutes). Pass against a passer or wall from 2 m. Receive the return on the backhand, open your body, and pass back with the forehand. 4 sets of 15 reps. Cue: first touch moves the ball out of the pass line, second touch passes. Watch for: looking down at the ball the entire time.
- Centre: scan and pass (8 minutes). Place a coloured marker behind you. Before every pass, glance over your shoulder and call the colour out loud. 3 sets of 20 passes. Cue: look, then receive, then play. Watch for: calling the colour after the pass instead of before it.
- Forward: receive, turn, shoot (10 minutes). Pass to the rebounder, take the return across your body, and shoot at a target from about 3 m. 4 sets of 10 shots. Cue: the first touch should already point the ball toward the shooting lane.
- All positions: 1v1 game (6 minutes). Play 1v1 in a 3 x 3 m square against a friend. Attacker scores by passing through a gap, defender wins the ball. Switch roles every minute.
Common mistakes
- Specialising too early. A nine-year-old who only plays winger never learns to defend. Fix: rotate positions every few training sessions until the age of 13 or 14.
- Everyone chasing the ball. The result is five players in one corner. Fix: give each role a zone and a job, and play small games where leaving your zone leaves a free opponent.
- Defenders who only clear the ball. Fix: set a rule that a clearance must reach a teammate to count.
- Centres who stand still waiting for the pass. Fix: practise offering yourself at an angle, not in a straight line behind the ball.
- Forwards who stop after shooting. Fix: follow every shot for the rebound, because many goals come from the second chance.
FAQ
How many players are on the floor in floorball?
Each team has five outfield players and one goalkeeper on the floor. The goalkeeper plays without a stick. Teams often organise the five outfield players as two defenders, one centre and two forwards, but this is a tactical choice and not a rule.
What is the most important position in floorball?
None of them is more important than the others, because floorball is a team game with fast transitions. The centre often touches the ball most, but a calm defender or a sharp forward can decide a match just as easily. Young players should try every role.
What skills does a floorball defender need?
A defender needs good body and stick position, patience, and a clean first pass. Keep the stick below waist height, stay between the ball and the goal, and make the simple pass after you win possession.
Which position should a beginner play?
A beginner should rotate through all positions. Playing defender, centre and forward each for a few weeks builds a feeling for space, timing and teamwork. Choose a favourite role only when you have tried the others, usually around the early teens.
Can I train my position at home?
Yes. Receiving, passing, first touch and shooting are all possible at home with a smooth floor, a passer and a small goal area. Choose drills that copy your role, such as receive-and-pass for defenders and receive-turn-shoot for forwards.
Do I need a different stick for different positions?
No. Position does not decide the stick. Choose a length and flex that suit your height and strength: the stick end should reach roughly to your navel or a few centimetres below. Some players like a slightly stiffer shaft for shooting, but comfort and control come first.
Summary
Positions in floorball are tactical jobs: defenders protect and start play, centres connect and decide, forwards create and finish. Learn all three before you specialise, and train the skills your role uses most. For more guides, visit the Floorball Training hub and the passing and stickhandling collection.
