What is Floorball?

Floorball is the fastest indoor sport, a dynamic team sport that combines elements of ice hockey and indoor soccer. Played with lightweight sticks and a plastic ball with holes, it emphasizes speed, skill, and strategy. The game is accessible to players of all ages and skill levels, making it a popular choice in schools, clubs, and competitive leagues worldwide. 

Our sport was invented in Sweden and is gaining popularity fast all across Europe, especially the Netherlands, where it is also known as unihockey in high schools. Currently in the Nederlandse Floorball-en-Unihockey Bond, there are 3 divisions for men and 2 for women in this competition (see https://nefub.nl/competitie). 

Fast. Exciting. Spectacular. 

A Brief History of Floorball

The origins of floorball trace back to the 1950s and 1960s, where similar games were played in Canada and the USA under names like “ball hockey” and “Cosom hockey.” However, the modern version of floorball was formalized in Sweden in the late 1960s. The first official club, Sala IBK, was established in 1979, and by 1981, standardized rules were in place. The International Floorball Federation (IFF) was founded in 1986 by Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland to promote the sport globally.

Since then, floorball has grown exponentially, with the first World Floorball Championship held in 1996 in Stockholm, Sweden. Today, the sport boasts over 377,000 registered players worldwide and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

 

How Floorball is Played

A standard floorball game features two teams, each with five field players and a goalkeeper. Matches consist of three 20-minute periods, with the objective of scoring goals by maneuvering the ball into the opposing team’s net using specialized sticks. The sport is known for its emphasis on speed, agility, and teamwork.

Unlike ice hockey, floorball prohibits physical checking, making it a non-contact sport that focuses on skillful play. The lightweight equipment and rules make it accessible and safe for players of all ages.

Floorball is typically played on a rectangular rink measuring 40 meters in length and 20 meters in width, enclosed by 50 cm high boards with rounded corners. The goals are 160 cm wide and 115 cm high, placed at each end of the rink. The playing surface includes marked areas such as the center line, face-off spots, and goal areas.

 

Equipment

  • Sticks: Made of lightweight composite materials, floorball sticks are designed for quick handling and precision.

  • Ball: The ball is hollow, made of plastic, and features holes to reduce air resistance, allowing for high-speed play.

  • Goalkeeper Gear: Goalies wear padded clothing and helmets but do not use sticks, relying instead on their body to block shots.

Variations of the Game

While the standard format is 5v5 plus goalkeepers, floorball also offers variations to suit different settings:

  • Small Field (3v3 or 4v4): Played on smaller rinks, these formats are popular in recreational settings and youth programs. (more here)

  • Wheelchair Floorball: An inclusive version of the sport adapted for players using wheelchairs, following similar rules with modified equipment. (more here)

  • Streetbandy: A casual, outdoor variant of floorball, often played without goalkeepers and with simplified rules.