What is Floorball?

Imagine the speed and skill of hockey—without the ice, pads, or bulky equipment. That’s floorball. The easiest way to describe floorball? Floor hockey, perfected. Just as floor hockey is a more accessible way to play ice hockey, floorball is a more accessible way to play floor hockey. The sticks are shorter and lighter; the ball is easier to handle than a puck or rubber ball. And while it shares some DNA with hockey, floorball isn’t trying to be hockey — it's its own exciting sport, complete with official rules, leagues, and governing bodies.

More than Just Gym Class

What really sets floorball apart is its organization and structure. Sure, it’s a blast to play casually with friends, but the sport has grown into something much bigger. At the top, the International Floorball Federation (IFF) oversees the game worldwide. National bodies, like USA Floorball, guide development in their countries. And local associations, such as the North Texas Floorball Association (NTFA), bring players together at the community level.

From Pick-Up Games to World Championships

Why all this structure? Competition. Floorball is just as fun in a school gym or community center as it is on a professional court — but the pathway for players is wide open. Across the United States, you’ll find local leagues, tournaments, and even a National Championship held every year. Globally, the sport is even bigger: The IFF organizes annual World Championships, alternating between Men’s & U19 Women’s one year and Women’s & U19 Men’s the next. There are even professional leagues in Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland.

In official floorball competition, teams play 5v5 with goalies just like in ice hockey and the games consist of three 20-minute periods. However, floorball is extremely versatile. At the recreational level, games can be played with any number of players on any size court (indoors or outside) for any length of time. A regulation floorball court is 20 meters by 40 meters (65 feet x 132 feet). The boards surrounding the court are usually made of heavy duty plastic, composites or high density foam that measure 50 cm high (about 20 inches).

These videos from the IFF capture the essence of what floorball is competitively: This is Floorball or the updated version This is Floorball 2021.

Unique Equipment and Style of Play

The equipment in floorball is designed for speed and agility. Sticks are short, lightweight, and built for quick handling. (To learn more about how to chooose a stick that's appropriate for you, you can visit our page Choosing a Stick). The ball looks similar to a wiffle ball or pickleball, but has its own unique design tailored for the sport. Goalies also stand out; they don’t carry sticks or wear bulky pads. Instead, they typically stay on their knees and keep their hands up by their head to make saves.

Floorball is spreading fast. You’ll see it in:

Schools & PE Programs – an easy, safe, and fun sport for all students
Community centers & campus rec – great for pickup games and intramurals
Hockey training – a perfect way to build stickhandling and vision
Inclusive programs – Wheelchair Floorball is thriving, and Special Olympics has made floorball an official sport. States like Arizona, Texas, California, New York, and Pennsylvania already run competitive seasons, while others are transitioning from floor hockey to floorball.

As great as it is to have all this organized floorball, it’s just as much fun to play on your own or with some friends in a garage, driveway, basement, or any flat surface. It’s great for all ages and is easily played co-ed because the game emphasizes speed and skill over brute strength. After trying floorball, kids will put down the video games or smart phone and get active again. Once they start passing, shooting, and stickhandling, they won’t want to stop! Play Floorball at Home.

Here are the basic rules of floorball:

No high sticking. Blade must stay below player's waist. If ball is played with any part of the stick above the knee, it is a foul
No slashing. Do not hit your opponent's stick or body
No lifting, pushing, or kicking the opponent's stick
You cannot reach between your opponent's legs with your stick
Do not play the ball with your hand or head
Do not jump to reach the ball

Floorball is fast. Floorball is fun. Floorball is for everyone.

For a great video showing competitive floorball, visit The Rules of Floorball

To find floorball in your area click here

To learn more about floorball, click here: Floorball Information.

Download the basic rules: Basic Floorball Rules (pdf)

For the complete official rules of floorball, click here: IFF Floorball Rules - 2022 (pdf)

Download a pdf version of What Is Floorball?: Introduction to Floorball

Download a pdf version of starting a floorball program: Getting Started - Floorball