Quick answer
To win more floorball face-offs, treat the face-off as a two-part job: the player in the middle wins or redirects the ball, and the three or four players around them are ready to take it. Practise a low stable stance, a fast and controlled blade action, a clear plan for where the ball should go, and teammates who move the moment the ball is released. Ten minutes of face-off work per session is enough to see a difference within a month.
Key takeaways
- A face-off is a team skill. The taker wins the ball, but the people around them turn it into possession.
- Decide before the whistle where the ball should go: back to a teammate, into space or toward the side.
- Stay low and balanced. Strong hips and a stable base give you more control than a bigger swing of the stick.
- Keep your stick below waist height at all times, and follow the referee's instructions for how to position your blade.
- Vary your technique so opponents cannot predict you, but keep one reliable move as your default.
- Train face-offs in pairs and small groups with a count and a score so players want to compete.
What is a face-off and why does it matter?
A face-off (called a tekning in Swedish) is a restart where the referee places the ball between two opposing players and play begins when it is released. The exact situations when a face-off happens and the exact way to line up are set out in the rules of the league you play in, so check the current rules of your federation and listen to the referee's instructions. What does not change is the basic idea: two players compete for the first touch while their teammates wait around them.
Why does it matter? Possession in floorball is valuable because the game is fast and the field is small. A won face-off in the attacking zone can create a shot within seconds. A won face-off in your own zone can calm the game down and give your defence time to set up. Teams that treat face-offs seriously gain several extra chances over a match, and they do it without needing to run harder.
The table below summarises the roles in a typical face-off situation. Use it as a starting point when you talk to players.
| Role | Main job | Key habit |
|---|---|---|
| Taker (middle) | Win or redirect the ball on the whistle | Low stance, eyes on the ball, decide the direction beforehand |
| Nearest teammate | Collect the ball or block the opponent's path | Stay close, move on the first touch |
| Wide players | Create passing options on either side | Show for the ball, scan, call |
| Back player | Protect against a quick counter | Stay between ball and own goal |
How do you build a strong face-off technique?
Most players I coach start by trying to hit the ball as hard as possible. That usually fails, because the ball goes to a random place and the opponent has an equal chance to react. Control beats power. These are the main technical points.
Stance and balance
Bend your knees, keep your weight over the balls of your feet and keep your back flat. Your head should be over the ball, not behind it. A low centre of gravity gives you a stronger base against the opponent and lets you react in any direction. Practise holding the stance for 20 seconds without wobbling.
Blade action
Use your wrists and forearms to move the blade, not your whole body. Practise three variations: pulling the ball back toward a teammate, pushing it forward into space and sliding it to the side. Start slowly, aiming for accuracy over speed. Once you hit the target 8 times out of 10, add speed. Keep the stick below waist height in the backswing and follow-through, like in all play.
Reading the opponent
Look at how your opponent sets up. Some players press down on the ball, some wait for the release and try to pull it back, others hit through. If they always do the same thing, plan your move around it. For example, if the opponent is committed forward, a quick pull-back to a teammate behind you often works.
Teammates' first move
The taker can win the ball perfectly and still lose possession if the teammates are still standing there. Agree on a signal or code: "left", "back", "quick". The teammate who is supposed to receive the ball starts moving as the whistle goes, not after the ball has moved. Practise it together until it is automatic.
Which face-off drills should you use in training?
Keep each drill short and competitive. Ten minutes in total at the start or end of a session is plenty. Players should do them with intensity, because the first touch in a real face-off lasts less than a second.
- Stance and release (3 minutes). Pairs face each other with a ball between them. On a coach's whistle, each player tries to pull the ball back to a target spot 1 m behind them. Do 10 rounds, switch the target side halfway. Cue: stay low and let the wrist do the work. Watch for: swinging the whole arm and losing balance.
- Three-direction face-off (4 minutes). The taker has three target markers (back, forward, side). A partner calls the direction a split second before the whistle. The taker must hit the called target. 10 rounds per player, then swap. Score one point for a clean hit.
- Face-off plus 2v2 (5 minutes). Two teams of two play a short game starting from a face-off. The winner of the face-off passes to a teammate who finishes on a goal. This links the restart to the shot. Play to three goals, then swap partners.
- Tournament ladder (5 minutes). Pairs compete in best-of-five face-offs. Winners move one station up, losers move one down. At the end, name the "top station" winners. Players enjoy the competition and the repetitions are high.
Coach Erik's tip: Choose your best two face-off takers for each side and let them practise their roles every session. Players who take the same role in every match learn the opponents' habits and get more confident. But also train a back-up. Injuries and illness happen at the worst time.
How do you plan set face-off plays?
Once players can win the ball, give them a plan for what to do next. Keep the number of plays small: two for the attacking zone, one for the neutral zone and one for your own zone is enough. Walk through each on the floor with no opponent, then add a passive defender, then play it live.
| Situation | Aim | Example plan |
|---|---|---|
| Attacking zone | Get a shot within 5 seconds | Taker pulls the ball back to the shooter, wide player moves to the far side for a pass |
| Neutral zone | Keep possession and build up | Taker slides ball to the side, nearest teammate turns away from pressure |
| Own zone | Clear safely and avoid mistakes | Taker plays back to a free defender, others open up |
Explain the idea in one sentence and avoid long diagrams. When you add more advanced plays, connect them with free hit plays, which use similar movements, and see powerplay drills for restart ideas in special situations.
What can players practise on their own?
Face-off technique relies on touch and quick wrists, and both can be trained at home. A player can practise pulling a ball back and sliding it left and right to targets for 5 minutes, then repeat. The key is a smooth surface where the ball rolls true. The Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79) gives about 0.9 m² of flat surface, and the Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer (€69) adds precision work around obstacles. For a team, the Extreme Floorball Passing Kit Tiles (€239) is a ready-made set for passing practice. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand that sells directly to keep prices low, and its products are designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability. The tiles and stickhandling trainer are also Made in Europe.
Players who want to train quick hands and reactions will find more ideas in floorball reaction training. Browse the passing and stickhandling collection for more equipment.
Common mistakes
- Hitting too hard. The ball goes nowhere useful. Fix: practise controlled pulls and slides to a target first, then add speed.
- Standing too upright. You lose balance and leverage. Fix: bend your knees, lower your hips and keep your head over the ball.
- No plan for the ball. The taker wins it, but nobody is ready. Fix: agree a direction and a signal before every face-off.
- Using the same move every time. Opponents read you. Fix: learn two or three variations and mix them in.
- Teammates waiting for the ball. Fix: they must start moving on the whistle, not after the touch.
- Ignoring the rules and the referee. Penalties give away the restart. Fix: check the current rules and follow the referee's instructions every time.
FAQ
What is a face-off in floorball?
A face-off is a restart in which the referee places the ball between two opposing players and play begins when it is released. Each player tries to win the first touch. Always check the current rules of your league and follow the referee's instructions on lining up.
How can I win more face-offs?
Work on a low, stable stance, controlled wrist action and a clear plan for where the ball should go. Practise three directions (back, forward, side) and read your opponent's habits. Teammates should start moving at the whistle so that a won face-off becomes possession.
How much training time should face-offs get?
About 10 minutes per session is enough for most teams. Make it short, intense and competitive. Short regular practice builds the habit better than a single long block.
Who should take face-offs in my team?
Pick players with good balance, quick hands and a calm head, and train them for specific roles on each side. Prepare a back-up in case a player is injured or out of form. Players who practise the role regularly build confidence and learn opponents' habits.
Can I practise face-offs alone?
Yes, partly. You can practise pulling the ball back and sliding it sideways to targets on a smooth surface, and train wrist speed and balance. A partner makes it more realistic, but 5 minutes alone each day builds control.
Do face-offs differ for youth teams?
The principles are the same, but the focus is different. For young players, keep it simple: stance, control and fun. Introduce competition in small, friendly games and avoid pressure to win every face-off.
Summary
Face-offs reward preparation: a low stance, a controlled blade action, a pre-decided direction and teammates who move on the whistle. Spend ten minutes per session on short, competitive drills and give players clear roles. Check the rules of your league and follow the referee at every restart. For more coaching resources visit the Floorball Coaches hub.
