Quick answer
The Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer (€69) is a foldable obstacle you shape to practise tight turns, dodges and close ball control in a very small space. The ten drills below take 3–5 minutes each, start with simple touches and finish with game-like moves. Do three or four of them per session, and track your clean reps to see progress.
Key takeaways
- The trainer gives you a defender-sized obstacle without needing a partner.
- You can fold it into different shapes, so one product supports a wide range of moves.
- Progress from slow, clean touches to quick changes of direction, and only then add pace.
- Pick 3–4 drills per session. Ten drills in 15 minutes is too many to do well.
- Use a smooth surface so the ball rolls true and your blade lasts.
- Keep your head up on at least every third touch, even in solo drills.
What is the stickhandling trainer, and how do you use it?
The trainer is a durable plastic obstacle that folds, so you can reshape it to practise a variety of moves and dangles and carry it to wherever you train. Think of it as a defender that never gets tired. You place it on the floor, play the ball around, past or beside it, and repeat the move until it is automatic. It is Made in Europe, and Better Floorball, a Swedish brand, designs it in Sweden and tests it for maximum durability.
The shapes available depend on how you fold it, so try a few and choose the layout that suits each drill. Whatever layout you use, the principles stay the same: keep the ball close, keep the stick below waist height and finish each rep with a purposeful exit.
What do the ten drills look like?
| # | Drill | Time | Reps or target | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warm-up side touches beside the trainer | 3 min | 60 touches | Wrist control |
| 2 | Slow pass-by | 3 min | 20 reps each side | Close control |
| 3 | Figure-eight around the trainer | 4 min | 6 x 30 seconds | Rhythm |
| 4 | Pull-push past the trainer | 4 min | 4 x 8 reps | Change of direction |
| 5 | Toe drag around the trainer | 4 min | 4 x 8 reps | Blade tip control |
| 6 | Tunnel through a gap | 4 min | 3 x 8 reps | Precision and timing |
| 7 | Head-up count | 4 min | 4 x 45 seconds | Vision |
| 8 | Dodge and shoot | 5 min | 3 x 8 reps | Finish after the move |
| 9 | Speed lane | 4 min | 6 runs | Pace with control |
| 10 | Beat your record | 4 min | 3 attempts | Pressure and focus |
How do you run each drill?
- Side touches beside the trainer (3 minutes). Stand next to it and move the ball side to side, 60 touches. Cue: soft wrists, elbows quiet.
- Slow pass-by (3 minutes). Walk past the trainer, keeping the ball on the far side from it. 20 reps each side. Watch for: the ball bumping into the trainer.
- Figure-eight (4 minutes). Place the trainer so you can circle both ends of it. Dribble a figure eight for 30 seconds, rest 20 seconds, 6 rounds.
- Pull-push (4 minutes). Approach the trainer, pull the ball across your body and push past. 4 sets of 8, alternating sides.
- Toe drag (4 minutes). Use the tip of the blade to drag the ball around the trainer's corner. See the toe drag for the technique.
- Tunnel through a gap (4 minutes). Shape the trainer so that it has an opening and play the ball through, then collect it on the other side. 3 sets of 8.
- Head-up count (4 minutes). A partner holds up fingers behind you while you work around the trainer. Call the numbers. Cue: eyes up, hands steady.
- Dodge and shoot (5 minutes). Dodge the trainer and finish with a shot at a wall or a goal. 3 sets of 8 reps. Make the exit shot as quick as the dodge.
- Speed lane (4 minutes). Place the trainer at the start of a 5 m lane. Beat it, then dribble the lane at 80 percent speed. 6 runs. See dribbling at full speed for more.
- Beat your record (4 minutes). Pick the move you struggle with most and count clean reps in 60 seconds. Three attempts. Write down the number.
Coach Erik's tip: Change the layout every week. If you always use the same shape, your brain learns the layout rather than the move. A new angle forces new reads and keeps training fresh.
What other equipment makes the trainer better?
The surface matters. A smooth floor lets the ball roll true and protects your blade. Snap-together tiles are the easiest way to build one: the Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79) covers about 0.9 m². The tiles are Made in Europe. If you want to add a passing partner, the Extreme Floorball Passer (€129) lets you combine stickhandling with passes and receptions. For a complete starter setup, the Extreme Floorball Skills Kit (€569) combines a 45-pack of tiles (4.9 m²), the Passer Pro and the Stickhandling Trainer. You can browse all of these in the passing and stickhandling collection.
How should you structure a weekly plan?
| Day | Drills | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 1, 2, 3, 4 | 15 minutes |
| Wednesday | 1, 5, 6, 7 | 15 minutes |
| Friday | 1, 8, 9, 10 | 18 minutes |
| Weekend | Your favourite two drills plus a game with a friend | 15 minutes |
For more ideas to mix in, see the 15 stickhandling drills and quiet stickhandling at home.
How do you know the trainer is working?
Pick one drill from the ten and use it as your benchmark. Run it for 45 seconds, count the clean laps around the trainer, and write the number down. Repeat the same test every Sunday.
| Level | Clean laps in 45 seconds | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Under 8 | Slow down, keep the ball on the blade |
| Intermediate | 8 to 12 | Add backhand laps and look up every third touch |
| Advanced | Over 12 | Change the shape of the trainer to make a tighter route |
If the number stalls for two weeks, change the shape of the trainer and learn a new route. A new route makes the touch less automatic, which is exactly how you keep improving.
Common mistakes
- Rushing the drills. Fix: do the first set at half speed, then add pace.
- Always using the same layout. Fix: change the shape and distance every week.
- Looking at the ball the entire time. Fix: look up on every third touch and count it.
- Hitting the trainer with the blade. Fix: leave a hand's width of space and keep your touches small.
- Doing all ten drills in one go. Fix: choose 3–4 per session.
- No finish. Fix: end every rep with a shot, a pass or a burst of pace.
FAQ
What is the Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer?
It is a durable, foldable plastic obstacle that you can shape to practise moves and dangles without a partner. It needs very little space, folds for carrying and costs €69 in the Better Floorball store.
How many drills should I do in one session?
Three or four is enough for 15–20 minutes. Doing too many drills means each one gets too few quality repetitions. Rotate them across the week.
Do I need a special surface for the trainer?
No, but a smooth, hard surface helps. Tiles or a shooting pad let the ball glide and keep your blade in good shape. Avoid thick carpet.
Can beginners use the stickhandling trainer?
Yes. Beginners should start with the slow pass-by, figure-eight and side touches. Move to dodges and toe drags once the basic touches feel steady.
Can I use the trainer with a partner?
Yes. A partner can call numbers for head-up practice, pass the ball for dodge-and-shoot drills or act as a passive defender next to the trainer.
How long does it take to see improvement?
Most players feel better control after two to three weeks of three sessions per week. Track clean reps in drill 10 to measure it.
Summary
The Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer turns a small floor space into a full stickhandling lab. Choose 3–4 of the ten drills each session, change the layout weekly and track your clean reps. Explore the Stickhandling hub for more, and follow us on Instagram @better_floorball for weekly drills.
