Quick answer
Plan a floorball season in phases: pre-season (build the base and the team habits), early season (turn habits into a game plan), mid-season (maintain and fix weaknesses) and playoffs or late season (sharpen and recover). Work backwards from your key dates, keep a simple weekly rhythm, and leave room to adjust. A one-page plan that you actually use beats a 30-page document that stays in a drawer.
Key takeaways
- Start with the calendar: matches, tournaments, school breaks and holidays. Everything else fits around those dates.
- Divide the year into four phases and give each one a clear focus, such as fitness base, game plan, consistency and peak.
- Use a repeating weekly template so players know what to expect, and change only the content, not the structure.
- Plan recovery on purpose. Easy weeks every fourth or fifth week prevent injuries and burnout.
- Build in review points every 4–6 weeks to ask what is working, what is not, and what to change.
- Give players individual home tasks so team sessions can focus on playing together.
Where do you start when planning a season?
Start with what you cannot move: league fixtures, cup dates, tournaments and school holidays. In Sweden and other leading floorball nations, the main season runs from autumn to spring, with playoffs towards the end. Your own league may differ, so check your federation's calendar and write the key dates on one page.
Next, define two or three goals for the season that are about the team and not only the table. Examples: "every player can receive and turn under pressure", "we play with a clear structure in our own zone", or "we keep all our players". These goals decide what you spend time on in training. Then decide how many sessions you have per week, how long they last, and what extra time the players give you at home or in the gym.
The table below shows a typical four-phase structure. The weeks are only a guide, because every league and club is different.
| Phase | Typical length | Main focus | Match load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-season | 6–8 weeks | Fitness base, ball skills, team habits, friendly games | Low, friendlies only |
| Early season | 6–8 weeks | Game plan, set plays, roles, consistency | Rising |
| Mid-season | Variable | Maintain fitness, fix weaknesses, rotate load | Highest |
| Late season / playoffs | 4–8 weeks | Sharpness, special teams, recovery, mental freshness | High, high stakes |
For the first phase, see the floorball pre-season training article for more detail on building the base.
What does a good weekly template look like?
A weekly template gives the season a heartbeat. The players learn when to expect hard work, when to expect game practice and when to recover. Here is a sample for a team that trains three times a week and plays one match.
| Day | Focus | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Fitness and ball skills | 75 min | Higher physical load, stickhandling and passing circuits |
| Tuesday | Rest or individual home work | 15–20 min | Optional short skills routine at home |
| Wednesday | Tactics and small-sided games | 75 min | Game plan, positional play, set plays |
| Thursday | Light session | 45–60 min | Special situations, shooting, short sharp work |
| Friday | Rest | 0 | Travel or free evening |
| Saturday | Match | Match day | Warm-up and cool-down |
| Sunday | Recovery | Optional | Walk, mobility, sleep |
Adjust the template to the age group. A youth team might train twice a week for 60 minutes and play a match or small tournament at the weekend. You can see how individual sessions fit together in the practice plan template.
How do you plan the load and recovery?
The most common season-planning mistake is to start too hard and fade in the second half. Load should rise gradually, then level out, with deliberate lighter weeks. As a rule of thumb, I plan a lighter week after every three or four normal ones: fewer minutes, lower intensity, more fun games. Players notice the difference in energy and attitude.
- Match weeks: keep the day before the match short and sharp. Practise set plays and finish with a relaxed game.
- Tournament weekends: plan the next training day as light, with a focus on movement and mood.
- Exam periods and holidays: cut the length of sessions rather than cancelling them. Players value the routine.
- Injuries and fatigue: ask players how they feel each week. Use a simple 1–5 scale for energy and let it guide adjustments.
For ideas on recovery habits to share with players, see floorball recovery and sleep and injury prevention.
Coach Erik's tip: Write the season plan in pencil. Every team I have coached needed to change it at least twice: an injury, a bad weekend, a school exam period. The plan is a map, not a contract. Check it against reality every four to six weeks and adjust the focus.
How do you build in skill development all season?
Skills should not stop when matches start. Players who only play games stop improving their technique by the middle of the season. Reserve 10–15 minutes of every session for ball skills, and give players short home routines to add touches. A smooth surface and a few tools make this easy to do in a hallway or garage.
The Extreme Floorball Skills Kit (€569) combines a 45-pack of tiles, the Passer Pro and the Stickhandling Trainer, and suits a club that wants to lend equipment to players during the season. For a single player, the Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer (€69) with the Tiles 8-Pack (€79) is a cheaper start. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand and sells directly, which keeps prices low. The tiles, passer and trainer are Made in Europe. See the passing and stickhandling collection for more.
Use the weekly floorball training plan as a base for individual home work, and share the 20-minute daily routine with players who want a bit more.
What should you review during and after the season?
Hold a short review every 4–6 weeks. Look at three things: results against your goals, player well-being and attendance, and what you would change in the next phase. At the end of the season, write down five things that went well and five that need to change. Ask the players for their input too; you will often be surprised by what matters most to them.
- Check the goals (10 minutes). Which season goals are on track, and which are not?
- Ask the players (10 minutes). Each player names one thing they enjoy and one thing they would change.
- Choose three changes (5 minutes). For the next phase, pick only three actions so the group can remember them.
- Write it down (5 minutes). Put the changes on the one-page plan and share it with the team and parents.
Common mistakes
- Planning without the calendar. The plan falls apart at the first tournament. Fix: start from fixtures, school holidays and key dates.
- Going too hard too early. Players peak in October and struggle in February. Fix: build load gradually and schedule lighter weeks.
- Dropping skill work once games start. Technique stagnates. Fix: keep 10–15 minutes of ball skills in every session.
- Making the plan too detailed. You cannot follow it. Fix: one page, a weekly template and a list of phase goals.
- Never reviewing. The same problems repeat. Fix: set review dates every 4–6 weeks in the calendar.
- Ignoring the players' lives. School, work and family matter. Fix: ask about exam weeks and adjust the load.
FAQ
How long is a typical floorball season?
In Sweden and other leading floorball nations, the main season runs from autumn to spring, with playoffs towards the end. Exact dates depend on your league and age group. Check your federation's calendar and plan from there.
How many weeks should pre-season last?
Six to eight weeks is a common length, long enough to build a fitness base and team habits without losing motivation. Shorten it for youth teams who combine floorball with other sports. Keep the focus on ball skills, movement and fun.
How many sessions per week should a team have?
Adult and older youth teams often train two or three times a week plus a match. Younger children do well with one or two sessions of 60 minutes. More is not always better, so adjust to school, work and recovery needs.
How do I avoid burnout in a long season?
Plan lighter weeks, keep at least one full rest day, and include games and variety in every session. Listen to players, especially around exams and travel. A short break after a heavy tournament often pays off.
Should I plan the whole season in detail?
No. Plan the phases and key dates for the whole season, but only plan sessions in detail for the next 2–4 weeks. That gives you structure without losing flexibility when something changes.
How can players train between sessions?
Give them short, specific routines of 15–20 minutes, such as stickhandling and wall passing, that they can do at home. A smooth surface and a few simple tools make a big difference. Track progress with simple numbers like clean repetitions or successful passes.
Summary
A good season plan is simple: key dates first, four phases with clear focus, a weekly template, deliberate recovery and regular reviews. Keep skill work going all season and adjust the plan when reality changes. For more coaching resources visit the Floorball Coaches hub.
