Floorball: Breaking Out from Behind Your Own Goal

In floorball, play is allowed behind the goal, and defenders use the goal as a shield to break out with the ball. Groups of three defenders break out from behind their goal against two forecheckers and must get through one of two side gates at midcourt.

How to play

1. Explain the idea: the defender receives behind the goal, where the opponent cannot attack head-on, and chooses to carry out on one side, switch sides behind the goal or pass to an open teammate on the boards (3 min).
2. No pressure: three defenders move the ball behind the goal and break out through one of two 3-meter gates on the midline, alternating sides (4 min).
3. 3v1: one forechecker comes in from the midline when the teacher plays the ball behind the goal; defenders have 8 seconds to get through a gate (5 min).
4. 3v2: two forecheckers; 1 point for a clean breakout, 2 if it exits on the side opposite where the play started, and 1 for the forecheckers per steal (8 min).
5. Each group explains which cue told them to switch sides behind the goal (5 min).

Rules

• The goal is anchored or braced with cones so it does not move when players go around it.
• No body contact; forecheckers play only the ball.
• Nobody puts the stick inside the goal or hits the net or posts.
• Stick below the waist at all times.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: stays as the fixed defender behind the goal and only passes to teammates.
• Visual impairment: plays defender, push-passing to teammates who call out their position.
• Low fitness: rotates in as a forechecker only every other set.

Learning goals

• Use the space behind the goal to protect the breakout.
• Decide between carrying, switching sides or passing based on the pressure.
• Coordinate the breakout among three defenders.

Equipment for a class of 25

• floorball sticks: 28
• floorball balls: 12
• floorball goals: 2
• pinnies: 14
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

Set up two courts side by side so 14 students work at once on each, with two groups rotating between defending and forechecking. Stress looking up before coming out from behind the goal.

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