Quick answer
To shoot on the move in floorball, keep moving at a pace you can control, take the ball slightly in front of your body, and release the shot as your weight passes over the front foot. Do not stop to shoot: the stride is part of the power. Start at jogging speed from 5–6 m, look at the goal before you shoot, and build up to match speed only when the ball goes where you aimed it.
Key takeaways
- A shot on the move uses your forward momentum, so you need less arm swing and the shot comes faster.
- Carry the ball slightly ahead and to the side of your body so the blade has room to work.
- Release when your weight is over the front foot, not while you are still reaching with the back foot.
- Look up before you shoot. One glance at the goal and goalkeeper tells you where the space is.
- Keep the stick below waist height in both backswing and follow-through, even at full speed.
- Build speed in steps: walk, jog, then match pace. Accuracy first, speed second.
Why is shooting on the move different from shooting standing still?
Most players I coach shoot well from a standing start and then fall apart in a game. The reason is simple: in a match you almost never get a still ball and a calm stance. The ball arrives while you are running, a defender is closing from the side, and the goalkeeper is already moving across the goal. A shot on the move has to be quick, compact and balanced.
Three things change when you move. First, the timing: the ball is only in the right place for a fraction of a second. Second, the balance: your head and shoulders have to stay steady while your legs keep working. Third, the angle: you are often moving across the goal, so the shot must go where the goalkeeper is not, not where you are facing.
The good news is that momentum helps. A forward stride gives the shot energy, so a compact wrist shot or drag shot from a jog can be as fast as a wound-up shot from standing.
How do you shoot on the move step by step?
1. Carry the ball in the shooting zone
Keep the ball slightly ahead of your front foot, on the side where the blade is. Blade on your left side means the ball is on your left. If the ball is too close to your feet, you have to slow down or reach back for it. If it is too far, a defender or the boards will win it.
2. Head up, then pick a spot
Take one quick look at the goalkeeper two strides before the shot. Decide on a corner or a gap, then look at the ball again for the last touch. Players who look at the ball all the way tend to hit the goalkeeper's chest.
3. Shoot off the front foot
Plant the front foot, let your weight move onto it, and pull the ball back and through with a wrist shot or drag shot. Do not stop your legs. Your next stride should carry you toward the rebound.
4. Finish toward the target
The blade follows the ball to the target and stays below waist height. Then keep moving: a shot is not the end of the attack, it is the start of the rebound.
Which shot should you use when moving?
The best shot depends on your speed and the space you have. Here is the rule of thumb I use with players.
| Situation | Best shot | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight at goal, 6–8 m, defender behind you | Wrist shot | Short and accurate, easy to release at speed |
| Moving across the goal, ball on your forehand | Drag shot | You pull the ball and shoot in one flowing movement |
| Ball arrives at your blade at pace | Direct shot (one-timer) | No time lost to control the ball first |
| Defender takes the near corner | Fake, then shoot to the far side | Gives the goalkeeper a second to decide |
| You are unbalanced or off the wrong foot | Quick snap shot with a short swing | The shot needs little preparation |
For detail on each shot, see the wrist shot step by step and the drag shot.
What do you need to practise it at home?
You need a run-up of about 5–6 m, a surface where the ball runs smoothly, a goal of the right size and enough balls that you can shoot without stopping. A small garage or a hallway with a shooting pad works for stand-still reps, but real shots on the move need a longer lane. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand with its own products and no middlemen, and everything is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
| Product | Price | Use for shooting on the move |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Floorball Goal (160 x 115 cm) | €149 | Official size, so your angles are real |
| Extreme Floorball Tiles 30-Pack | €254 | A long, smooth lane for run-up and shot |
| Extreme Floorball Shooting Pad 120x60 cm | €59 | Shooting spot for the final touch |
| Extreme Backstop Net 5x2,5 m | €129 | Stops the misses, so you can keep shooting |
| Floorball 50-Pack | €89 | Fifty balls per round, no collecting |
The Extreme Floorball Tiles are Made in Europe and snap together, so you can lay a long lane and take it apart afterwards. If you want the goal and a tile surface in one box, the Extreme Floorball Shooting Kit Tiles XL (€279) includes the goal and a 15-pack of tiles. More options are in the shooting collection.
Coach Erik's tip: Say "head up, shoot" out loud in your first few sessions. It sounds silly, but it makes you look at the goalkeeper before the last touch. After about two weeks it becomes automatic and you can stop saying it.
Drills for shooting on the move
- Walk-and-shoot (6 minutes). Start 5 m from the goal, walk toward it and shoot with a wrist shot as you pass a marker 3 m away. 3 sets of 8 shots on each side of the body. Cue: shoot on the front foot, never while your feet are crossed.
- Jog-and-drag (8 minutes). Jog toward the goal at 45 degrees, pull the ball across in front of the front foot and shoot into the far corner. 4 sets of 6. Watch for: the ball staying behind you, which makes the shot float.
- Look-then-shoot (8 minutes). Put a coloured cone or a friend behind the goal who shows a number with their fingers. You call it out before you shoot. 3 sets of 8. Cue: eyes up on the second-last stride.
- Pass-and-go (10 minutes). Pass to a rebounder or partner at the side, run to the open space, receive and shoot within two touches. 4 sets of 6. This copies a real attack.
- Tired-legs finish (6 minutes). After 30 seconds of fast stickhandling around cones, run straight into a shot. 5 rounds. Rest 45 seconds between rounds. Cue: keep the stick low when you are tired.
That is about 38 minutes, three times a week is plenty. To add more targets and accuracy work, read training with shooting targets, and for good stick-skill foundations see how to improve your stickhandling.
How fast should you practise?
Use three speed levels and move up only when you hit at least 6 of 10 shots on target at the current level.
| Level | Speed | Run-up | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walking pace | 4 m | 6 of 10 on target |
| 2 | Jogging pace | 5–6 m | 6 of 10 on target |
| 3 | Match pace | 6–8 m | 5 of 10 on target |
Common mistakes
- Stopping before the shot. You lose all the momentum and give the defender time. Fix: plant the front foot and keep your legs moving through the shot.
- Looking only at the ball. The goalkeeper sees you coming and you shoot where he stands. Fix: one glance at the goal two strides earlier.
- A ball too close to your feet. You have no room for the blade. Fix: push the ball slightly ahead and to the blade side.
- A backswing that is too high. At speed the stick can rise without you noticing, which is both illegal and dangerous. Fix: keep the blade low and rely on the wrist snap.
- Shooting too hard too soon. Misses fly over the goal and the rhythm falls apart. Fix: build speed in three levels and count your hits.
FAQ
How do you shoot while running in floorball?
Carry the ball slightly ahead of your front foot, glance at the goalkeeper, and shoot as your weight passes over the front foot. Use a short wrist shot or drag shot with the stick below waist height, and keep moving after the shot so you are ready for the rebound.
Which shot is best when you are on the move?
The wrist shot and the drag shot are the most reliable because they need little preparation. A direct shot works when the ball arrives at pace, and a fake followed by a shot helps against a goalkeeper who moves early.
How can I practise shooting on the move at home?
Set up a lane of about 5–6 m with a smooth surface such as tiles, a goal of full size and 50 balls. Start at walking pace, move to jogging pace, then match pace. A backstop net behind the goal catches misses so you can keep shooting.
Why do my shots go over the goal when I run?
The ball is usually too far behind your body or you are leaning back. Keep the ball ahead of your front foot, bend your knees and let the blade follow the ball low to the floor toward the target.
Should I look at the goal or the ball?
Both, in order. Look at the goal and goalkeeper two strides before the shot, then look at the ball for the last touch. That one glance is enough to choose a corner.
How many reps do I need to get better?
About 40–60 shots on the move per session, three times a week, is a good start. Count your hits on target and move to a faster level only when you hit at least 6 of 10.
Summary
Shooting on the move means using your momentum: carry the ball ahead, glance at the goal, shoot off the front foot and keep moving. Build up speed in three steps, keep the stick low, and practise in a long lane with a real-size goal and plenty of balls. Find more technique articles in the Floorball Shooting hub, and follow us on Instagram @better_floorball.
