Quick answer
The easiest way to get a child started in floorball is to keep it simple: a light stick of the right length, a plastic ball, a smooth patch of floor and 15–20 minutes of play a few times a week. Join a local club's beginner group when your child is ready, but at home you can begin with games, not technique. Focus on fun and lots of ball touches, and add structure slowly as your child's confidence grows.
Key takeaways
- Floorball is a good first stick sport because the ball is light (about 23 g, 72 mm) and the game is played indoors on a smooth floor, with no ice, skates or heavy gear.
- A stick that is too long is the number one beginner problem. Standing in shoes, the stick end should reach roughly to the navel or a few centimetres below.
- Short sessions of 15–20 minutes work better than long ones. Stop while your child still wants more.
- Play first, technique second. Games, challenges and small contests teach more than lectures.
- A small home setup (a few floor tiles, a target and a safe wall) multiplies the touches your child gets each week.
- Safety rules are simple: stick below waist height, clear floor, and a soft or netted background behind any shot.
Why is floorball a good sport for kids?
I have coached children who had never held a stick, and most of them were enjoying themselves within the first ten minutes. The reasons are practical. The ball is plastic and light, so it does not hurt like a hard ball does. The game is played on a flat floor, in a sports hall, a school gym or a garage, so you do not need ice or a pitch. Each team has five outfield players and a goalkeeper, so there is plenty of involvement for everyone, and the goal measures 160 x 115 cm, which makes scoring realistic for beginners.
Floorball is also popular across Europe: Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Norway, Germany and others all have active youth leagues. That means there is often a club within reach, and a sport that your child can keep playing as they grow up.
What does your child need to start?
Less than most parents expect. Here is the list I give to families on day one, in the order of importance.
| Item | What to look for | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Stick | Right length (end of the stick near the navel in shoes), light, soft shaft for small and young players | Day one |
| Ball | Standard plastic floorball, 72 mm with 26 holes | Day one |
| Indoor shoes | Flat soles with grip, no running with muddy outdoor shoes on a hall floor | Day one |
| Clothing | Loose, comfortable clothes, a drink bottle | Day one |
| Smooth training surface | Tiles, a pad or a clean hall or kitchen floor | After 2–3 weeks, once the interest is clear |
| Target and net | Something to aim at and something to stop the ball | When shooting becomes a favourite |
Stick brands are not important at this stage, and there is no need for the most expensive model. Pick the correct length and a flex that your child can bend a little with both hands. A stick that is simply too stiff or too long makes learning harder. We cover this in more detail in the guide to how to choose a floorball stick and in the kids' stick size chart.
How do you hold the stick? (A simple explanation for beginners)
Do not talk about left-handed or right-handed grips with young children, because it confuses everyone. Describe it by the side of the body the blade is on: "blade on your left side" or "blade on your right side". Let your child try both and keep the one that feels natural. Many players are surprised by which side feels best.
Show three things only: the top hand holds the end of the shaft, the other hand sits roughly a shoulder-width below it, and the knees are slightly bent so the blade sits flat on the floor next to the ball. We go deeper in grip and stance: the basics done right, but for a six-year-old, "hands apart, knees soft, blade on the floor" is plenty.
What should the first sessions look like?
A first session is not a lesson. Here is how I structure the first four weeks with new players, at home or on a hall floor. Each session is 15–25 minutes.
| Week | Main goal | Activities | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Get comfortable | Walk with the ball, stop the ball, push it between two cones, free play | 15 min |
| 2 | Control and turning | Dribble round markers, change direction, dribble and stop on a signal | 15–20 min |
| 3 | Pass and receive | Pass to a wall or a parent from 2 m, receive and stop the ball | 20 min |
| 4 | First shots | Shoot at a target from 2–3 m, count hits, then play a small game | 20–25 min |
If you want ready-made ideas, our list of the best floorball drills for kids and the collection of fun floorball games for kids give you plenty of options.
Five starter drills for children
- Walk and touch (3 minutes). Your child walks around the room pushing the ball gently with the blade, never losing contact. Challenge: 30 seconds without the ball getting away. Cue: "Keep the ball close, like it is on a string."
- Cone slalom (4 minutes). Place five markers in a line, 1 m apart. Weave through them with the ball, 3 rounds. Use shoes, water bottles or soft toys if you have no cones. Watch for: the ball drifting far from the stick. Slow down and try again.
- Stop and go (3 minutes). A parent calls "stop" and "go". On "stop" the child freezes with the ball under control. Cue: "Blade on top of the ball."
- Pass to the wall (5 minutes). Stand 2 m from a solid wall and pass the ball. Receive it and pass again. Aim for 10 passes in a row, then 15, then 20. Cue: "Soft hands, let the blade give a little."
- Target practice (5 minutes). Put a target or a tennis ball tube in front of a net. Shoot 10 times from 2 m. Count how many hit. Write down the score so your child can beat it next time.
Coach Erik's tip: Count, do not correct. Instead of saying "do it like this", ask "how many in a row can you do?". Children love to beat their own number, and it removes the feeling of being judged.
Which home equipment helps a beginner the most?
Better Floorball is a Swedish brand that sells its own products without middlemen, so prices stay lower, and everything is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability. The products below are the ones I would consider, starting with the cheapest.
| Product | Price | Why it helps a beginner |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (set of 3) | €34 | Makes shooting a game and gives clear aims |
| Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer | €69 | Turns ball control into small challenges |
| Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (0.9 m²) | €79 | A smooth surface anywhere, from the hallway to the garden |
| Extreme Floorball Passer | €129 | A passing partner when nobody is free to play |
| Extreme Backstop Net 5x2,5 m | €129 | Catches missed shots and keeps your home safe |
| Extreme Floorball Goal (160 x 115 cm) | €149 | Real size, weatherproof and foldable for storage |
The Extreme Floorball Tiles, Passer and Stickhandling Trainer are Made in Europe. You do not need all of this in week one. If you want a single starting point, a tile pack plus a trainer gives a child a proper practice spot in about one square metre. Larger packs of tiles are available in the floorball tiles collection.
How do you keep it safe?
- Stick below the waist. This is the same rule that applies in matches. Teach it from the first day: the backswing and follow-through stay below waist height.
- Play the ball low. The ball should not be played above knee height with the stick.
- Space between players. When two children play together, keep at least one stick length apart, and never swing while the other is next to you.
- Clear floor. Remove cables, toys and loose rugs. Most small injuries come from tripping.
- Safe shooting line. Shoot towards a wall, a net or an empty space, never towards windows, pets or people.
When should you move from home to a club?
There is no fixed answer, and clubs set their own age limits. A good moment is when your child asks to play with others, or when the home sessions begin to feel too easy. Look for a beginner or "floorball school" group that focuses on games, and ask to watch a session first. If you are wondering about the right age, read what age to start floorball. For the youngest, our guide to training for under-10s shows how a session is built, and the floorball parent's guide explains what to expect off the court.
Common mistakes
- A stick that is too long. Fix: stand your child in shoes with the stick upright, and make sure the end lands at or just below the navel. If in doubt, choose shorter.
- Too much instruction. Children switch off after two or three tips. Fix: give one cue per drill and then let them play.
- Starting with hard shots. Fix: begin with control and passing, and add shooting once the ball stays near the stick.
- Training for too long. Fix: 15–20 minutes is enough for the first weeks. End on a success.
- Comparing with other children. Fix: compare only with last week's own score.
- Skipping the safe zone. Fix: set up a clear floor and a backstop before the first shot, not after the first broken lamp.
FAQ
How do I get my child started in floorball?
Buy or borrow a stick of the right length, a standard plastic ball and find a smooth floor. Start with 15–20 minute play sessions that focus on moving with the ball, simple passing against a wall and shooting at a target. Join a local club's beginner group when your child is ready to play with others.
What size floorball stick does a child need?
Standing in shoes, the end of the stick should reach roughly to the navel or a few centimetres below. A softer shaft suits lighter and younger players. If your child is between two sizes, choose the shorter stick.
Is floorball safe for children?
Floorball is a light-contact sport with a plastic ball, and the main safety rules are easy to teach. The stick must stay below waist height, the ball is played below knee height, and players give each other space. Clear the floor of obstacles and use a net or a wall behind any shot.
Do kids need protective gear for floorball?
Beginners usually need only indoor shoes, comfortable clothes and a stick. Goalkeepers wear special protective equipment and play without a stick. Ask your club what it recommends for matches, as rules for protective items can vary between clubs and countries.
How long should a child's floorball session be?
For beginners, 15–20 minutes is enough, three to four times a week at most. Finish while your child still wants more. As confidence and fitness grow, sessions can gradually reach 30–40 minutes.
What can we practise at home between club sessions?
Stickhandling, wall passing and shooting at a target all work well in a small space. A set of floor tiles gives a smooth surface, and a stickhandling trainer, a passer and a few targets keep sessions varied. Count successful repetitions and try to beat the number each week.
Summary
Getting a child started in floorball does not take much: a correctly sized stick, a smooth floor and short, playful sessions that focus on ball touches. Build up from control to passing to shooting, keep safety rules simple, and use counting games to keep motivation high. For more ideas, visit the Youth Floorball hub. Follow us on Instagram @better_floorball for weekly drills.
