Quick answer
Good floorball passing combines four things: a stable body position, a short and clean stick action, a ball that arrives flat and on the receiver's stick-side, and a first touch that already points toward the next action. Pass with the forehand for most situations, use the backhand when pressure comes from the other side, and receive by letting the blade give slightly. Practise 100 passes per session at 2–5 m, and increase the distance only when your accuracy holds.
Key takeaways
- Passing is half of floorball. The fastest way to move the ball is a pass, not a dribble.
- A good pass is accurate, firm enough to arrive quickly and soft enough to be controlled.
- Point your front foot and your shoulders at the target. The blade follows the body.
- Receive with soft hands: the blade gives on contact, then the ball is guided to where you want it.
- Use the forehand pass, backhand pass and the flick/lob (a pass that lifts over a stick) for different situations.
- Scan before you receive. The best passers know where they will pass before the ball arrives.
- Train with a partner or a passer for volume, and add pressure in small-sided games.
What makes a good pass in floorball?
Most players I coach think a good pass is a hard pass. It is not. A good pass arrives where the receiver wants it, at a speed they can control, at the right moment. A rocket that bounces off the blade is a lost ball. A soft pass that lets a defender step in is also a lost ball. The target is the middle: firm, flat and timed.
The ball plays a part here. The floorball ball is plastic, 72 mm across, with 26 holes, and weighs around 23 g. It is light, so it reacts strongly to small changes in blade angle. A tiny twist of the wrist is enough to send it wide or lift it off the floor. That is why a stable, repeatable technique matters more than power.
A word on terms. In this guide, the "forehand side" is the side of the body where the blade is; the "backhand side" is the other side, where you play the ball with the back of the blade. If your blade is on your left, your forehand side is left. Same rules for everyone, whichever way you hold the stick.
What are the main types of pass?
| Pass | How it is played | When to use it | Typical distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forehand push pass | Blade sweeps through the ball along the floor | Most situations | 2–8 m |
| Backhand pass | Back of the blade, wrist snap | Pressure on the forehand side, quick release | 2–5 m |
| Snap pass | Short backswing, fast wrist, ball struck cleanly | Fast play, longer passes | 6–12 m |
| Flick or lob pass | Blade scoops under the ball to lift it | Over a stick or a leg on the floor | 2–6 m |
| One-touch pass | Receive and pass in one motion | Quick combinations | 2–6 m |
For more detail on specific types, see the backhand pass, the lob pass and one-touch passing.
How do you pass with the forehand?
The forehand push pass is your bread and butter. Follow these steps.
- Set your feet. Shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, the front foot pointing at the target. Weight on the balls of the feet.
- Place the ball. Beside your front foot, about one blade-length from your body.
- Grip. The lower hand slides down the shaft for control; the upper hand guides. Keep the grip firm but not tight.
- Sweep. Bring the blade through the ball, as if you are sliding it along the floor, and finish pointing at the target.
- Follow through low. Keep the blade below waist height at all times. This is the rule in games, and it also gives a flatter ball.
Cues that fix most problems
Cue: "Look at the target, not the ball, just before you pass." Cue: "Finish with the blade pointing where the ball should go." Watch for: lifting the blade too early, which makes the ball hop and arrive on the receiver's stick with a bounce.
How do you pass with the backhand?
The backhand pass uses the back of the blade. It is shorter and more wrist-driven than the forehand. Place the ball slightly further from your body, open the blade a little and snap the wrist while keeping the stick low. It is the pass you use when a defender is on your forehand side or when you want to release quickly without turning your body. Practise it as much as the forehand: if you only train one side, the defender simply shuts it down.
How do you receive the ball?
Good receiving makes good passing worthwhile. Most lost balls come from the receiver, not the passer, so train both. The core idea is to give with the blade. As the ball meets the blade, let the blade move back a few centimetres, then guide the ball into the position you want. Think of catching an egg, not stopping a train.
| Receiving cue | What it means |
|---|---|
| Show the blade | Hold the blade low and open to the passer so they have a target |
| Give on contact | Move the blade back slightly as the ball arrives |
| Take the first touch forward | Guide the ball toward your next action, not just stop it |
| Scan early | Look around before the ball arrives so the first touch is informed |
For a deeper look, read how to receive the ball and passing and scanning.
Which passing drills should you do?
Use this progression over several weeks. Each stage is a small step up in difficulty.
- Static pass pairs (6 minutes). Two players, 3 m apart, forehand to forehand. 30 passes, then 30 backhand passes. Cue: shoulders square, blade finishes at the target. Watch for: the ball bouncing.
- Pass and receive on the move (6 minutes). Two players move sideways along a 6 m lane, passing as they go. 4 rounds of 45 seconds. Switch hands at the half-way point.
- Triangle (8 minutes). Three players form a triangle of 4 m sides. Pass and follow the ball. 3 minutes in each direction. Cue: move after you pass.
- Rebounder session (6 minutes). Alone, pass against a passer or wall. 3 sets of 20 forehand, 20 backhand and 20 alternating. Aim for 50 clean returns in a row.
- Two-touch to one-touch (6 minutes). In pairs, play two touches (receive, pass) for 2 minutes, then one touch for 2 minutes. Count clean passes.
- 3v1 keep-away (8 minutes). In a 5 x 5 m square, three players keep the ball from one defender. Each round lasts 60 seconds. Count the passes; the group with the most wins.
- Pass to score (8 minutes). Play 3v3 in a half-court. A goal only counts if at least three passes were made. Play to 5.
You will find more options in 12 passing drills, and for solo work how to practise passing alone.
Coach Erik's tip: Make every pass a "named pass". Before you play it, say to yourself where the ball should arrive: "to the stick", "into space" or "behind the defender". Players who name the pass become more accurate within two weeks, because they stop passing on autopilot.
What equipment helps you improve passing?
Passing needs two things: a partner who always returns the ball, and a smooth surface where it rolls true. A rebounder takes care of the first. The Extreme Floorball Passer (€129) returns the ball with predictable bounce, and you can flip it to practise volley passes. The Extreme Floorball Passer Pro (€149) has two passing slots, so you can practise both straight and volley passes without a partner. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand; the passers are Made in Europe, and every product is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability. They are used by some of the world's best floorball players.
For the surface, the Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79) covers about 0.9 m², and the Extreme Floorball Passing Kit Tiles (€239) bundles 15 tiles (about 1.6 m²) with the Passer. The tiles are Made in Europe as well. Browse the passing and stickhandling collection to compare.
What does a weekly passing plan look like?
| Day | Focus | Time | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Forehand and backhand basics | 20 minutes | 100 passes per side |
| Wednesday | Receiving and first touch | 20 minutes | 60 receptions each side |
| Friday | Moving passes and one-touch | 25 minutes | 8 rounds of 45 seconds |
| Weekend | Small-sided game with passing rule | 25 minutes | 3 games to 5 |
Pair this with receiving and shooting in one motion to turn good passes into goals. If you are still building basic control, start with stickhandling basics.
How do you pass under pressure?
When a defender is close, three things change: you have less time, you have less space and you must disguise the pass. Shorten the backswing, use the body to hide the ball and look away from your target. A simple trick is the "no-look pass": glance at one teammate, pass to another. Use it sparingly, because it only works if the receiver is also scanning. Practise pressure passing in 3v1 and 4v2 squares, and increase the pressure by narrowing the space.
Common mistakes
- Passing too hard. The receiver cannot control it. Fix: aim for pace that a teammate can cushion, and cut the power for short passes.
- Lifting the ball. A ball that hops is hard to receive. Fix: keep the blade low and finish along the floor.
- Passing to the stick, not into space. Fix: lead moving receivers with a pass slightly ahead.
- Staring at the ball. Fix: look at the target just before the pass, and scan before you receive.
- Only using the forehand. Fix: spend half your reps on the backhand.
- Standing still after the pass. Fix: move into space immediately, ready for the return.
- Stiff hands when receiving. Fix: let the blade give, as if cushioning an egg.
FAQ
What is the correct way to pass a floorball?
Set your feet shoulder-width apart, point your front foot and shoulders at the target, and sweep the blade through the ball along the floor. Finish with the blade pointing at the target and below waist height. Practise until you can place 8 of 10 passes onto a teammate's stick.
How do you receive a pass in floorball?
Show your blade as a target, then let it give a few centimetres when the ball arrives. Guide the ball into the position you want, preferably toward your next action. Looking around before the ball arrives makes the first touch smarter.
How can I improve my passing accuracy?
Practise 100 passes per session at 2–5 m, and aim at a small target such as a mark on the wall or a partner's blade. Move further away only when you hit 8 of 10. A rebounder lets you repeat passes without a partner.
Should I use the backhand pass?
Yes. The backhand pass lets you release the ball quickly when a defender is on your forehand side. Practise it as much as the forehand, because defenders learn to cover a one-sided passer.
How far should a floorball pass go?
Most passes in games travel 2–8 m. Longer snap passes of 6–12 m are used to change the point of attack. Start with short passes and increase distance as your accuracy holds.
Can I practise passing alone?
Yes. Use a passer or a solid wall to return the ball. A passer with two slots also allows volley passes. Combine solo practice with a partner or small-sided games to practise timing and decisions.
Summary
Great floorball passing comes from stable technique, soft receiving and constant scanning. Train forehand and backhand equally, add pressure gradually and use a rebounder for volume. For more passing content, visit the Passing hub and follow us on Instagram @better_floorball for weekly drills.
