Floorball: A Comprehensive Guide to Rules, Equipment, and Gameplay
Floorball: A Comprehensive Guide
Origins and History
The origins of games with sticks and balls can be traced back to ancient times, with the oldest depiction found on a relief in the tomb of Beni-Hassan in the Nile Valley (2000 BC). Evidence suggests that the Greeks also played similar games, as depicted on the wall of Themistocles in Athens. Hockey, a close relative of floorball, is believed to have been played in ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Over time, these games evolved, with changes to rules, materials, and skills.
What is Floorball?
Floorball is a fast-paced, indoor team sport of Swedish origin. It is known for its simplicity and accessibility, making it suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. Floorball shares similarities with hockey but is played on a flat, rectangular surface with lightweight equipment.
Playing Field
The playing field is a rectangular area measuring between 35 and 45 meters in length and 18 to 22 meters in width. It is a flat surface surrounded by a 50cm high border. Two goals, each 160cm wide, 115cm high, and 65cm deep, are placed at opposite ends of the field. The goal area is marked in orange and measures 5m wide by 4m long. A goal line is drawn between the goalposts. The playing surface can be indoor or outdoor, made of synthetic material, wood, or asphalt.
Equipment
Sticks
Floorball sticks are made of hard but elastic plastic. They have a shaft that is 95cm long with a diameter of 3.5cm. The blade cannot exceed 35cm in length. The total weight of the stick is 380 grams. Reinforcing or lengthening the stick is prohibited.
Ball
The ball is a round, hollow plastic sphere with 26 holes. It is typically white, with a diameter of 72mm and a weight of 23 grams. On very smooth surfaces, a puck can be used as an alternative.
Teams and Players
Each team can have a roster of 17 players, but only 6 players can be on the field at a time. A team consists of 5 field players and 1 goalkeeper. The goalkeeper does not use a stick and is allowed to touch, hold, kick, throw, and run with the ball using any part of their body. However, the goalkeeper must touch the floor, border, or a teammate before crossing the midfield line. The goalkeeper must be positioned within the goal area when the ball is in play. Goalkeepers can wear a helmet, gloves, and knee pads.
If a team has fewer than 4 players due to injuries or expulsions, the game is stopped, and the opposing team is awarded the win.
The goalkeeper must release the ball within 3 seconds of gaining possession; otherwise, the opposing team is awarded a free throw from the goal area line.
Substitutions
Substitutions can be made at any time during the game without limitations.
Match Duration
A floorball match consists of three 20-minute periods. The game starts with a face-off at the center of the field. The game is interrupted for various reasons, including the ball going out of play, injuries, goals, and penalties.
Game Restarts
Neutral Kick
A neutral kick restarts the game after an interruption. The ball is placed between two parallel sticks with their blades pointing towards the attacking direction. Players cannot play the ball until the referee signals. All other players must be at least 3 meters away from the ball. A direct goal can be scored from a neutral kick (Face-Off).
Kick-In (Stroke In)
The referee drops the ball between two opposing players for a kick-in. Other players must be at least 3 meters away.
Free Stroke
A free stroke is awarded at the spot where a foul occurred. A direct goal cannot be scored from a free stroke. Opposing players must be at least 3 meters away, and the ball must be more than 3 meters from the goal. If the foul occurs behind the goal line, the free stroke is taken from that line.
Penalty Stroke
A penalty stroke is taken from a point 7 meters in front of the goal line. All other players must be off the field. If a goal is scored directly, the game restarts with a face-off at the center. If the penalty stroke is missed, a free stroke is awarded 3 meters from the goal, in line with the missed shot.
Goal
A goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line. Goals can be scored from a face-off, stroke in, or free stroke. A goal is not valid if it is directed or kicked in by a player’s hand or foot or if the goal has been moved by an attacking player. However, if the goal is moved by a defending player, the goal is valid.
Stroke Off (After Goal)
After a goal is scored, players return to their respective halves of the field, with opponents at least 3 meters away from the ball. A direct goal cannot be scored from a stroke off.
Goal Area
Only the goalkeeper is allowed to enter the goal area. They can enter with their stick or any part of their body. If an attacking player enters the goal area, a free stroke is awarded. If a defending player (other than the goalkeeper) enters the goal area, a penalty stroke is awarded.
Overtime
If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, an overtime period of 15 minutes is played. If the game remains tied after overtime, a penalty shootout is conducted, with each team taking 5 penalty strokes.
Suspensions and Penalties
A suspended player must leave the field. Suspensions can be given for various infractions:
- Minor infractions: 2-minute team penalty
- Repeated minor infractions: 5-minute team penalty
- Misconduct: 5-minute personal penalty + 2-minute team penalty
- Repeated misconduct: 5-minute team penalty or match penalty
- Serious violations: 5-minute team penalty or match penalty
- Abuse: 5-minute penalty or match penalty (Personal: replaceable player) (Team: player not replaceable) (Match: expulsion)
Prohibitions
Minor
- Raising the stick above the knee
- Passing the ball with the head or hand
- Kicking the ball
- Entering the goal area with any part of the body (for attacking players)
- Playing the ball while lying on the ground
- Pushing, blocking, or holding an opponent
- Hitting the ball with the stick above the head
Grave
- Hitting an opponent with the stick
- Placing the stick between an opponent’s legs or tripping them
- Entering the goal area with any part of the body (for defending players)
- Moving the goal
- Throwing the stick during the game
- Insulting the referees
Permitted Actions
- Playing the ball with both sides of the stick blade
- Stopping the ball with the stick, foot, or chest
- Directing the ball towards oneself with the foot
- Playing the ball off the boards
- Carrying the ball on the shoulder
- Shooting the ball into the opponent’s goal without their goalkeeper present
Variations
- Using smaller goals
- Reducing the size of the goal area
- Adapting the number of players
- Adapting the rules (e.g., allowing players to enter the goal area)
Basic Techniques
- Passing and receiving: walking and running with the ball on both sides of the stick blade
- Dribbling: walking and running with the ball on both sides of the stick blade
- Feinting
- Shooting: Stroke in, Stroke off, Face-off, Penalty stroke