Floorball: Defending the Attacker's Stick Side

Left- and right-handed attackers carry the ball on different sides of the body, and a good defender sets up on the stick side to force them onto their backhand. Students work in 1v1 lanes and count how often the attacker ends up on their weak side.

How to play

1. Explain the idea with two students: identify whether the attacker shoots left or right, set up slightly toward their blade side and use positioning to steer them onto the backhand and toward the boards (3 min).
2. In pairs in 4 x 15 m lanes, the attacker dribbles slowly and the defender only shadows in the correct position, backing toward their own end (4 min).
3. Live 1v1: the attacker tries to cross the end line; the defender scores if they force the attacker to finish on the backhand or next to the lane's sideline (6 min).
4. Switch partners to face an attacker who uses the other hand and repeat the 1v1 (4 min).
5. Group discussion: what changed when defending a left-hander versus a right-hander and how to use it in a game (3 min).

Rules

• The defender does not touch the attacker with the body and may only play the ball with a legal tackle.
• Stick below the waist at all times.
• Lanes are at least 6 feet apart.
• If the attacker falls or loses balance, the try stops and is repeated.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: plays attacker at a controlled speed against a defender who walks.
• Visual impairment: the attacker uses a bell ball, and the defender works on positioning guided by sound, with no steals.
• Low fitness: 10-meter lanes and rest as scorekeeper every other try.

Learning goals

• Identify the attacker's stick side.
• Angle the defensive position to steer the opponent to their weak side.
• Defend 1v1 without fouling.

Equipment for a class of 25

• floorball sticks: 28
• floorball balls: 14
• cones: 28
• pinnies: 14

Teacher tip

First ask each student to say out loud whether their blade is on the left or the right; many are not sure. Mix hands in the pairs on purpose.

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