In this Floorball article, we take a look at a brief history, rules and tactics of the game, as well as the impact of this exciting sport on player health and development.
Floorball is a dynamic and exciting game, which is one of the varieties of ball hockey. This sport is extremely popular in many countries, attracting millions of players of all ages.
Matches are played indoors on a special field of 40 x 20 meters (≈ field for mini-football), on which two teams of six players (including goalkeepers) can play, using plastic sticks and a special ball.
Floorball appeared in 1958 in the American city of Lakeville, when the company Cosom began to produce plastic sticks under this brand for training classic hockey players in the United States and Canada. Over time, the game migrated to the old continent, namely Sweden, which is considered the birthplace of floorball.
In the kingdom, uniform standards and rules were developed in the 1970s, and later the first national association appeared. Fifteen years later, on April 12, 1986, the International Floorball Federation (IFF) was established to coordinate and develop the game worldwide.
In 1993, the European Cup, the first club international tournament, was held. Today, the European and World Championships are also held regularly. In addition, the IFF is a full member of the IOC, a permanent member of the GAISF (formerly SportAccord) and cooperates with FISU.
In the program of the World Games this sport also draws medals. Currently, the IFF has a total of 79 member countries. Russia joined the international federation in 1993.
“Floorball is the most open team sport, with more than one million registered players on every continent”
The rules of floorball are quite simple and easily mastered by beginners. The main goal of the teams is to score the ball into the opponent’s goal using only plastic sticks. You can stop the ball with your foot, give a pass, but you can not hit the goal (contact above the knee is prohibited).
Usually a floorball match consists of three periods, each lasting 20 minutes of net time, with a 3 minute break in between. However, the length of the game may vary depending on the level of competition or the age category of the players.
As in classic hockey, a winner must be determined in each match. If the match ends in a tie in regulation time, an extra time of 10 minutes (overtime) is scheduled. If this time is not enough to determine the winner, the teams take a series of five penalty shots.
In general, the rules of the game are very similar to hockey, but there are some differences. For example, floorball is less contact sport: there are no forceful techniques, you can not push opponents on the board.
For violation of the rules can be sent to the penalty bench. The main violations in floorball are incorrect kicks on the opponent’s stick, pushing on the board and blocking the opponent.
A free kick is awarded for minor infractions, and the offending team can put up a wall 3 meters away. A two-minute suspension can be earned for hitting the stick, a 5-minute suspension for pushing on the goal, and 2 +10 for unsportsmanlike conduct. In case of an infringement in a goal situation, the referee will call a shootout.
Interesting fact: A 2-minute penalty is interrupted if the penalized team concedes a goal in their own goal. A 5-minute penalty from conceding a goal is not interrupted and the player serves the full penalty.
One of the main reasons for the popularity of floorball is its affordability. To play, you only need a field and a few game accessories such as sticks and a ball. A floorball game can be played either in a gymnasium or on an outdoor court. This means that you can play it in almost any conditions and at any time of the year.
The floorball stick is a modern sports masterpiece. It consists of a carbon stick, winding and a paddle (feather). The stick usually weighs 250-300 grams, and the dimensions are from 60 to 120 cm. To choose the length of the stick you can use the table below:
The aerodynamic floorball ball weighs only 23 grams. It has 26 holes that allow you to gain speed and hit the right spot.
The equipment of field players includes: a shirt, shorts, gaiters, a stick, hall shoes. But the goalkeeper plays without a stick, but he has a special helmet, gloves to fix the ball, kneepads and groin protection.
One of the features of floorball is the fast speed of the game. Teams tend to attack and counterattack quickly, so the game is always full of dynamics and exciting struggle. In addition, in floorball there is no offside and there are no restrictions on the number of transitions between zones, which makes it even more exciting.
Basic strategies in floorball
- Pressing – active play in the opponent’s half, aimed at taking the ball away and creating a numerical advantage.
- Counterattacks – quick passes between players aimed at quickly outscoring the opposing team.
- Support – constant movement and combined attacks to create opportunities to pass and receive the ball.
- Defensive strategies – blocking opponent’s shots, closing off passing space and actively interfering with the opponent’s actions.
Floorball is a great way to develop the physical fitness and physical skills of players, as moving quickly, hitting the ball and getting into fights requires good physical endurance, strength and flexibility. Practicing the techniques of the game can present some challenges from time to time, but with practice and persistence you can overcome them and become a more skillful floorball player.
In conclusion, floorball is a fast, exciting and accessible sports game that is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. It develops physical fitness, team spirit and the ability to make quick decisions. If you are looking for a new way to be active and exercise, floorball may be a great choice for you.
