Floor Hockey Face-Offs and Set Plays
Students learn to take a floor hockey face-off with a puck and to run two plays their team designs for after winning it. Students work on reaction time, stick control, and planning tactics as a team.
How to play
- In pairs (4 min): puck on the floor between the two sticks; on the whistle, each player tries to draw it back to a teammate 3 m behind. Best of five, then switch opponents.
- Explain the face-off (1 min): sticks on the floor on either side of the puck, facing the opponent's goal, and no one else within 3 m.
- Teams of 4 on three 25 x 15 m fields (5 min): each team designs two plays off a face-off win, such as “back and wide,” names them, and walks through them.
- Play 4-on-4 for 12 minutes: every restart is a face-off at the nearest spot, and a goal off a set play counts double.
- Wrap-up (2 min): each team explains which play worked best.
Rules
- Sticks always stay below the waist.
- On the face-off, play the puck only, never the opponent's stick or feet.
- If someone moves early, a teammate retakes the face-off.
- No checking or pushing.
Variations
Easier
One play per team, and the opposing center starts with the stick a hand's width off the floor.
Standard
Two set plays and a face-off on every restart.
Harder
Three plays, including one for a lost face-off, called by number.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: takes face-offs from a chair or with a longer stick, and the opponent uses the non-dominant hand.
- Hard of hearing: signal the face-off by dropping an arm and draw the plays on paper.
- Lower skill level: plays defense, receiving the won puck with one free second.
Learning goals
- React to the signal and win the puck without hitting the opponent.
- Design and name simple plays off a face-off.
- Run an agreed team play during a game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hockey sticks: 25
- floor hockey pucks: 12
- small goals: 6
- cones: 16
- pinnies: 12
Teacher tip
Blow the whistle with an irregular rhythm so students can't anticipate it, and stop play at the first high stick. Soft balls work if you're short on pucks.
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