Quick answer
The drag shot is a wrist shot with a built-in dribble: you pull the ball sideways or forward across your body and shoot in the same motion, so the goalkeeper and defender cannot tell when the shot is coming. Keep the ball on the blade, move your weight from the back foot to the front foot while you drag, and snap your wrists as the ball passes your front foot. Keep the stick below waist height throughout.
Key takeaways
- The drag shot combines a change of direction and a shot in one movement, which makes it hard to read.
- The drag and the release are one continuous motion. A pause in the middle gives the defender time to react.
- Start with the ball 0.5–1 m to the side of your shooting position and pull it into the shot.
- Weight goes from back foot to front foot, and the wrists snap last.
- Practise to both sides, with the ball on the forehand and backhand side of the blade, so defenders cannot predict you.
- Keep your head up: look at the goalkeeper's position before and after the drag.
Why is the drag shot so important?
In a game you rarely get a free, standing shot. Defenders close down quickly, and the goalkeeper moves to cover the angle. The drag shot solves both problems. A short pull sideways moves the ball away from the defender's stick and, at the same time, opens a new angle to the goal. You then shoot before anyone has adjusted.
Most players I coach learn the standing wrist shot first and then wait too long to add the drag. My advice is to add it early. Once the drag becomes natural, every dribble in the zone becomes a possible shot.
How do you hit a drag shot step by step?
1. Start position
Receive or carry the ball with your knees bent and the blade over the ball. Your hands are 30–40 cm apart. Look at the goal, then at the ball once, then back at the goal.
2. The drag
Pull the ball with the blade, sideways across your body or diagonally forward, for about 50–100 cm. Keep the ball on the blade, close to your feet. This pull is the loading phase: your shaft starts to bend as you press the blade into the floor.
3. Weight transfer
As the ball approaches your front foot, shift your weight from back to front. Your hips open toward the goal and your top hand pulls back to your hip.
4. Release
Snap your wrists as the ball reaches the front foot. The shot leaves the blade low and fast. Do not stop between the drag and the release; they are the same movement.
5. Follow-through
Finish with the blade pointing at your target and below waist height. Hold the position for a second. If you fall off balance, the drag was probably too long or too fast.
How far should you drag?
That depends on the situation. A longer drag gives more power and moves the ball further from the defender, but it takes more time. A short drag is quicker but gives less angle. Use this as a starting point.
| Situation | Drag length | Aim | Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defender within 1 m | 30–50 cm | Away from the defender's stick, low corner | Short and quick |
| Open space in front of the goal | 70–100 cm | Far corner, with power | Long pull, full weight transfer |
| Goalkeeper moving to one side | 50–70 cm | Opposite side | Drag toward the goalkeeper, shoot away |
| Practice only | 1 m | Whole goal | Feel the smooth transfer |
What gear helps you learn the drag shot?
The drag shot is all about the ball sliding smoothly on the floor, so the surface matters. Rough concrete or carpet makes the ball jump and teaches the wrong feel. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand with its own products and no middlemen. The gear is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
| Product | Price | Use for the drag shot |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Floorball Tiles 30-Pack (3.2 m²) | €254 | Large surface for a long drag and run-up |
| Extreme Floorball Tiles 15-Pack (1.6 m²) | €139 | Enough space for a 1 m drag and shot |
| Extreme Floorball Shooting Pad 120x60 cm | €59 | Portable for short drags |
| Extreme Floorball Goal | €149 | Full-size goal |
| Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (set of 3) | €34 | Targets for corner placement |
| Extreme Floorball Goalie | €129.95 | A goalie target for a realistic obstacle |
The tiles and the 3-target set are Made in Europe. For a kit with goal and tiles, see the Extreme Floorball Shooting Kit Tiles (€209), or browse the floorball tiles collection.
Coach Erik's tip: Put a cone or a water bottle 50 cm in front of your blade, about where a defender's stick would be. Drag the ball around it and shoot. Practising against an object makes the drag purposeful instead of just a nice move.
Which drills build a reliable drag shot?
- Drag without a shot (5 minutes). Pull the ball sideways 70 cm and back, 3 sets of 20 reps. Cue: ball on the blade, close to your feet.
- Drag and shoot, standing start (8 minutes). From 5 m, 4 sets of 6 shots per side. Cue: drag and release in one motion. Watch for: a pause in the middle.
- Cone drag (8 minutes). Place a cone 50 cm from the ball. Drag around it and shoot. 3 sets of 8 per side.
- Corner drag (8 minutes). Hang targets in both top corners and shoot after the drag. Count hits out of 20. Cue: pick the corner before the drag, not after.
- Drag after receiving (6 minutes). A partner or a wall passes to you, you receive, drag once and shoot. 4 sets of 5.
Combine this with a faster release in quick release: shoot before the goalie is set, and sharpen the starting technique in the wrist shot step by step.
Common mistakes
- Stopping between the drag and the shot. It lets the defender react. Fix: think of the drag and the shot as one stroke.
- Dragging too far. The ball gets away from your body. Fix: keep it within 1 m and close to your feet.
- Shooting off the back foot. The ball floats. Fix: finish with your weight on the front foot.
- Dragging to the same side every time. Fix: practise both directions, and mix them in every set.
- Looking at the ball the whole time. Fix: look at the goal before and after the drag.
- Lifting the blade high at the end. Fix: keep the follow-through below waist height.
FAQ
What is a drag shot in floorball?
A drag shot is a wrist shot where you first pull the ball sideways or diagonally with the blade and then shoot in the same motion. The pull moves the ball away from the defender and opens a new angle to the goal.
What is the difference between a wrist shot and a drag shot?
A wrist shot is taken from a ball that is already beside your back foot. In a drag shot you move the ball first, usually 50–100 cm, and shoot as it passes the front foot. The drag adds deception and often a better angle.
How far should I drag the ball before shooting?
Between 30 cm and 1 m depending on the situation. Use a short drag when a defender is close and a longer one in open space. Keep the ball on the blade and close to your feet.
Why does my drag shot lose power?
Usually because you stop between the drag and the release, or because your weight stays on the back foot. Make the movement continuous and finish with weight on the front foot.
Can I practise the drag shot in a small space?
Yes. A drag of 50–70 cm needs only about 1.5 x 1.5 m of smooth surface. Tiles or a pad on a garage floor, a hallway or a patio are enough, and a net or wall behind the goal stops stray shots.
Should I practise the drag shot to both sides?
Yes. If you only drag to your strong side, defenders and goalkeepers learn to predict you. Mix both directions in every set until both feel natural.
Summary
The drag shot makes a good shooter hard to stop. Pull the ball into a new angle, move your weight forward, snap your wrists and keep everything in one smooth motion. A smooth surface and a few targets make practice easier at home. Find more shot guides in the Floorball Shooting hub.
