Quick answer
Choose a floorball stick in this order: grip side first (which side of your body the blade is on), then length, then shaft flex, then blade curve. For length, stand in your normal indoor shoes with the stick upright; the top of the shaft should reach roughly your navel, or a few centimetres below it. The stick may be at most 114 cm long. Younger, lighter players need a softer shaft, which is a higher flex number in mm. Better Floorball does not sell sticks, so this guide gives you the rules to use in any shop, with no brands attached.
Key takeaways
- Decide the grip side first. "Blade on your left side" or "blade on your right side" is the only definition that avoids confusion between left- and right-handed.
- Length: top of the stick at about the navel when you stand in shoes, or a few centimetres below. The IFF maximum is 114 cm in total.
- Flex is given in mm. A lower number means a stiffer shaft. Lighter and younger players should use softer flex than strong adults.
- The blade hook is limited to 30 mm, so a very curved blade is a matter of taste within that limit, not a way to cheat the rules.
- Do not buy a stick for a child to "grow into". A stick that is too long ruins technique from the first week.
- Test the stick for at least 10 minutes of stickhandling and shooting before you decide, and ask your coach for a second opinion.
Which side of the body should the blade be on?
This is the first decision, and it is the one beginners get wrong most often. Floorball players do not talk about "right-handed" and "left-handed" sticks in the same way as in other sports, because it confuses people. Instead we describe where the blade is relative to your body.
- Blade on your left side. Your right hand is the top hand at the end of the shaft, your left hand is lower down. The ball travels along your left side.
- Blade on your right side. The opposite.
How do you know which is right? Take a broom or a stick with no blade, and pick up a ball. Make the movement of a shot or a sweep across the floor. Most people instinctively place the blade on one side. Do it ten times. If you hesitate, ask a coach to look at it. Players who start on the wrong side often feel off balance and uncomfortable on the backhand.
A short test is also to watch which hand is used on the top of the shaft when you pick up any long tool, such as a rake. For a child's first stick, keep the price modest and revisit the decision after a month or two of play. There is more about holding the stick in floorball grip and stance.
How long should a floorball stick be?
Length decides your posture, your reach and your control. The rule of thumb that coaches use all over Europe is simple.
- Put on your normal indoor shoes.
- Stand up straight and place the stick upright next to you, with the blade on the floor.
- Look at where the top end of the shaft touches your body. It should reach roughly your navel, or a few centimetres below.
The IFF rules limit the stick to 114 cm in total length, so a tall adult who needs more than that cannot go beyond it. Here is how length changes the feel of the game.
| Stick length | What you get | What you lose | Typical choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| A few cm below the navel | More control, ball close to the body, lower stance | Less reach for passes and far balls | Technical players, forwards, many youth players |
| At the navel | A balanced mix of control and reach | Nothing in particular, this is the starting point | Most players |
| Above the navel | More reach, more upright posture | Control suffers, back and arms work harder | Rarely a good idea except for very tall players at the 114 cm limit |
A good practical test is to stand in your ready position (knees bent, back straight) with the stick on the floor. If you have to bend your back to reach the ball, the stick is too short. If the stick pushes into your stomach or you have to lift your arms, it is too long. For children, I strongly recommend our guide to the floorball stick size chart for kids.
What about shortening a stick?
Many sticks are sold long and cut down to size. If you cut the shaft, you also change the flex: a shorter shaft is stiffer. So if you plan to shorten a long stick, choose a softer flex than you would for the finished length. Ask the shop to do the cutting, and measure twice before you start.
What does shaft flex mean?
Flex is how much the shaft bends under load. It is given in mm, and the rule to remember is: a lower number means a stiffer shaft. A stiffer shaft needs more power from the player to bend it, and it gives a harder, more direct shot for those who can load it. A softer shaft bends easily, which suits lighter players and those who shoot with a lot of wrist.
| Player | Flex direction | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Young child, beginner | Softest available | They cannot bend a stiff shaft, so the stick feels like a plank |
| Teenager, growing fast | Medium to soft | Strength changes each season; do not buy the stiffest |
| Adult recreational player | Medium | Good balance of feel and power |
| Strong adult with a hard shot | Stiffer (lower number) | Can load the shaft and wants a precise release |
I will not give you a magic number for each weight, because it depends on the stick and on your shooting style. What I do give you is a test. Take 10 wrist shots and 10 drag shots with the stick in the shop or at practice. If the stick feels dead and you have to push every shot, it is too stiff. If the blade feels whippy and your shots go to different places each time, it is too soft. The right flex lets you feel the shaft load and release with every shot.
What does blade curve do?
The blade is not flat. It has a curve, called the hook, and the IFF limits it to 30 mm. A small curve is easier to use for passing and receiving. A bigger curve helps the ball stay on the blade while you do tight dangles and lift the ball in shots. A very curved blade can make backhand play and flat passes harder.
- Small to medium curve: the best start for youth players and beginners; easier to learn all-round technique.
- Bigger curve: for experienced players who do a lot of stickhandling and shots from close range.
Whatever you buy, practise the backhand as well. I have seen players choose a heavily curved blade and then not trust their backhand for a whole season. If you are unsure, take the moderate option. More ideas for your technique are in floorball backhand control.
Weight, grip and feel
Beyond length and flex, two other things matter: weight and the grip tape on the shaft. A lighter stick is easier to swing and tires the arms less. A heavier stick feels solid, but it slows quick hands. For young players, I always choose the lighter one. The grip tape sits at the top of the shaft where your hands go; it should feel dry and secure even when your hands sweat. You can replace grip tape cheaply, so do not let a worn grip decide the purchase.
Coach Erik's tip: Never buy a stick on the product page alone. Hold three different sticks of the same length for 5 minutes each and do ten figure-eights with a ball. Your hands will tell you which one fits. Then ask your coach to watch you do five shots with the winner.
A step-by-step way to choose your stick
- Decide the grip side (5 minutes). Use the broom test. Ask a coach if you are not sure.
- Measure the length (2 minutes). Stand in shoes, stick upright, the top at about the navel or a few cm lower. Check you are not above the 114 cm limit.
- Choose the flex (5 minutes). Pick the softer option if you are young, light or a beginner; stiffer (lower number) if you are strong and shoot hard.
- Pick a moderate blade curve (3 minutes). Under the 30 mm limit, start with a small to medium curve.
- Try before you buy (10 minutes). 30 seconds of figure-eights, 10 passes against a wall, 10 shots. Cue: keep your head up and watch the ball only with your eyes. Watch for: your wrist twisting or your back bending to compensate.
- Review after one month. Is it comfortable? Does it help your technique? If not, adjust.
How does practice change the stick you need?
The best stick is a stick you use every day. A decent stick plus 20 minutes of daily ball control beats an expensive stick that stays in the corner. To build touch, a small-space station is enough. The Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer (€69) folds, is easy to carry and lets you practise dangles in a hallway. It is Made in Europe, designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability. Put it on a smooth surface such as the Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79), 0.9 m² of tiles that are also Made in Europe, and you have a place to test any new stick at home. Players who want to practise passing and receiving alone can use the Extreme Floorball Passer (€129). It is used by some of the best floorball players in the world, and it is a very honest judge of whether your stick is working for you.
For ideas, read floorball stickhandling at home and floorball stickhandling drills. See our passing and stickhandling collection for the equipment.
Which stick for which age?
There is no official table with exact numbers for each age, because children of the same age differ a lot in height. Use the navel rule for every child and adjust flex by strength.
| Player | Length rule | Flex | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner child | Navel or a few cm below | Softest | Buy a simple, light stick; it will be replaced soon |
| Growing child | Re-measure each season | Soft to medium | Check length every autumn, and when the child has grown |
| Teenager | Navel or a few cm below | Medium | Ask the coach about preferences; play style starts to matter |
| Adult | Navel, max 114 cm | Medium to stiff | Choose by feel in a shop, not by price |
If you are a parent, see what age to start floorball, the floorball equipment list for kids and how much does floorball cost.
Common mistakes
- Buying a stick that is too long "to grow into". The child holds it badly and builds poor technique. Fix: measure in shoes and buy for now; replace when needed.
- Choosing the stiffest shaft because it sounds professional. A stiff shaft that you cannot load gives weak, uncontrolled shots. Fix: pick the flex you can bend, and move stiffer only when your shots demand it.
- Ignoring the grip side. Playing with the blade on the wrong side hurts balance and backhand. Fix: do the broom test and ask a coach.
- Going for the most curved blade. It looks good but can hurt passes and backhand. Fix: start with a moderate curve and stay within the 30 mm limit.
- Buying online without ever holding the stick. Fix: try three sticks of the same length first, or ask your coach to lend you one.
- Using a damaged stick. A cracked shaft or blade can break during a shot. Fix: replace any stick with visible cracks.
FAQ
How long should my floorball stick be?
Stand in your indoor shoes with the stick upright. The top of the shaft should reach roughly your navel, or a few centimetres below. The maximum allowed total length is 114 cm. A shorter stick gives more control, a longer one more reach but a more upright posture.
What does the flex number on a floorball stick mean?
Flex is given in mm and tells you how stiff the shaft is. A lower number means a stiffer shaft. Lighter and younger players, and beginners, should use softer flex, while strong adults with hard shots can use stiffer shafts.
How do I know which side the blade should be on?
Take a stick or broom and make a natural shooting or sweeping movement several times. Notice which side of your body the blade ends up on: left or right. If you are unsure, ask a coach to watch you for a few minutes before buying the first stick.
Should I buy a bigger stick for my child to grow into?
No. A stick that is too long makes the child hold it badly and lose control of the ball. Measure in shoes with the navel rule, buy the right size now and replace the stick when your child has grown.
How much curve should the blade have?
The blade hook is limited to 30 mm. Beginners and youth players do best with a small to medium curve, because it is easier for passing, receiving and backhand play. Bigger curves suit experienced players who do a lot of stickhandling and close shots.
Does Better Floorball sell sticks?
No. We focus on training equipment such as tiles, passers, stickhandling trainers, goals and nets. This guide is brand-free, so you can use the same rules in any shop. Once you have your stick, practise at home with the Stickhandling Trainer (€69) or the Passer (€129).
Summary
A good stick fits your body and your game: the right grip side, a length around the navel in shoes (and never above 114 cm), a flex that you can load and a moderate blade curve within 30 mm. Try before you buy, never buy a stick for a child to grow into and replace damaged sticks quickly. Then put the hours in. For more buying advice, visit the Equipment Guides hub, and follow us on Instagram @better_floorball.
