Floorball Corner Battles: Protect the Ball
Floorball battles in small spaces that simulate the corner of the rink: an attacker shields the ball with their back to the defender and looks for a way out to pass or shoot. Students work on protected stickhandling, body position, and no-contact play.
How to play
- Use cones to mark six 6 x 6 m (20 x 20 ft) squares, each with one side against a wall or sideline, and place a small goal 5 m outside each square.
- Groups of four per square: an attacker, a defender in a pinnie, a support player outside the square, and a scorekeeper.
- Each battle lasts 20 seconds: the attacker receives the ball in the corner and shields it, keeping the body between the ball and the defender and moving the ball to the far side of the blade.
- The attacker earns 1 point by passing to the support player, who shoots on the goal; the defender earns 1 point by stealing the ball with the stick or knocking it out of the square.
- Rotate all four roles after each battle. Play 12 minutes and switch squares at 6 minutes to face new opponents.
Rules
- No contact: no pushing, leaning on, or using an arm to move an opponent.
- The defender can only play the ball from the front or side, never hacking the opponent's stick from behind.
- Sticks stay below the waist and no hooking or lifting an opponent's stick.
Variations
Easier
The defender may only play the ball after the attacker has taken three touches.
Standard
20-second battles with a pass to support and defender steals.
Harder
The attacker must carry the ball out of the square before passing, and battles last 15 seconds.
Adaptations
- A student with limited mobility can keep score and make the starting pass, or play the battle in a larger square against a defender who must approach from the side.
- For students with autism, explain the contact rules with pictures and start them with a trusted partner.
- Match players by skill so battles are even, and change pairs when one player always wins.
Learning goals
- Shield the ball by positioning the body and keeping it away from the defender.
- Look for a passing option under pressure.
- Follow no-contact rules during intense battles.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Floorball sticks: 25
- Floorball balls: 8
- Cones: 24
- Small goals: 6
- Pinnies: 6
Teacher tip
Battles can easily turn into shoving; stop play as soon as someone uses an arm and remind them to play the ball, not the body.
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