Hockey/Floorball Skills

Hockey and floorball both involve key skills like passing, dribbling, trapping and tackling. From ages 4-7, children can be introduced to basic stick control and movement. They develop their passing and dribbling skills, learning to trap and control the ball. In later years, they develop more advanced skills like precision passing, effective tackling and strategic play.
Teaching cues
How to Grip the Hockey Stick:
- Hands Ready: Left hand on top, right hand below.
- Strong & Soft: Left hand holds tight, right hand stays loose.
- Let It Flow: The stick should move slightly in your right hand for better control.
Note: There are no left-handed sticks in field hockey for safety reasons.
How to Grip the Floorball Stick:
- Hands in Place: Non-dominant hand on top, dominant hand lower on the stick.
- Firm & Flexible: Hold tight with the top hand, keep the bottom hand loose for control.
- Blade on the Floor: Keep the stick low and ready to move the ball smoothly.
Dribbling
- Close & Controlled: Keep the ball close to your stick when dribbling.
- Tap & Go: Push the ball slightly ahead when running fast.
- Drag & Glide: Move the ball across your body with the stick touching it.
Passing
- Flat Side Only: Use the flat side of the stick/blade to pass.
- Trap & Control: Stop the ball before passing.
- Step & Pass: Step forward with the opposite foot for balance.
- Stay Low: Bend your knees and keep your head steady.
Hitting (Slap Pass)
- Hands Together: Grip the stick near the top for control.
- Controlled Back Swing: A small backswing gives accuracy.
- Aim First: Focus on direction before power.
Pushing (Soft Pass)
- Hands Apart: Spread hands for better ball control.
- Smooth Motion: Keep the stick/blade close to the ball before release.
- Stay Low: Keep the stick/blade flat on the floor for accuracy.
Trapping
- Gentle Touch: Softly "catch" the ball with your stick.
- Stick Down: Angle your stick to keep the ball from bouncing away.
- Get Low: Bend your knees and keep your stick close to the ground.
- Watch the Ball: Keep your eyes on the ball all the way until it’s controlled.
Tackling
- Stick Low: Keep your stick close to the ground to stop the ball safely.
- Stay Balanced: Keep your knees bent and body low to stay strong.
- No High Sticks: Keep the stick below waist height to avoid injury.
- Gentle Contact: Use the stick to block the ball, not to push or hit the player.
- Respect the Space: Stay a safe distance from opponents to avoid dangerous tackles.
- Watch the Ball: Focus on the ball, not just the player, to make controlled tackles.
Common errors
- Dribbling: Ball too far from the stick or dribbling too fast and losing control.
- Passing: Weak passes that teammates can’t reach or not following through for accuracy.
- Trapping: Not cushioning the ball properly, using too much force and letting the ball roll away, or not keeping eyes on the ball.
- Tackling: Lifting the stick too high, pushing the opponent instead of blocking the ball, or poor timing that misses the ball or creates gaps.