Quick answer
The best floorball penalty shot is one you have decided before you start the run-up, but can still change if the goalkeeper moves early. Pick a plan (shoot, fake and shoot, or fake and drag), keep your speed calm, watch the goalkeeper's weight and stick, and finish low into a corner. Practise the same three moves 20 times each, and you will have a reliable penalty for the moment it matters.
Key takeaways
- A penalty shot is a one-on-one against the goalkeeper, so a calm routine beats a fancy trick.
- Decide on a main plan before you start, then react to what the goalkeeper does.
- Read the goalkeeper: weight on the heels or toes, how far from the line, which side is open.
- Low shots near the posts are the hardest for goalkeepers to save, so aim there.
- A fake works when it is believable. Slow your hands, change pace and move the shoulders.
- Keep the stick below waist height in every shot, even in a pressured moment.
What makes a good penalty shot in floorball?
Most players I coach think a penalty is about luck or about trickery. It is neither. A good penalty is a short, well-practised routine with three parts: a run-up that matches your plan, a read of the goalkeeper's position, and a clean finish. If the goalkeeper stays in the middle of the goal, there is space on both sides. If he moves out of the goal or to one side, the opposite corner opens.
The goal is 160 x 115 cm, and the goalkeeper is wearing protective gear but plays without a stick. That means the lower corners and the gaps beside his body are your main targets. You do not need a fast shot; you need a well-placed shot with a short release, and the goalkeeper to commit early.
Which penalty moves should you learn?
| Move | How it works | Works best against |
|---|---|---|
| Direct wrist shot | Straight run-up, quick wrist shot low to a corner | A goalkeeper who stands deep or moves late |
| Fake shot, shoot far side | Show the shot, drag the ball one step sideways, shoot to the other corner | A goalkeeper who reacts to the first movement |
| Fake and drag round | Pull the ball across the goalkeeper's body and finish into the open side | A goalkeeper who goes down early |
| Slow-then-fast | Walk in slowly, accelerate for the last two steps and shoot | A goalkeeper who waits and watches the ball |
| Backhand finish | Move the ball to the backhand side and flick it low into the corner | A goalkeeper who expects a forehand shot |
You only need two or three of these. Choose one that is your main plan and one backup that looks like the main plan for the first half of the run-up. If you want to learn the shots in detail, see the wrist shot step by step and the backhand shot.
How do you read a floorball goalkeeper?
Look at four things on your way in, in this order:
- Position. Is the goalkeeper on the line, out in front of the goal, or off to one side? A goalkeeper who has come out leaves the corners wider.
- Weight. On the heels means the goalkeeper is passive and likely to go down late. On the toes means he will meet you and probably go down early.
- Hands and body. Open arms cover more, tight arms leave gaps beside the body.
- Eyes. A goalkeeper who watches the ball only has lost the picture of the stick. A goalkeeper who watches your blade reads the shot early.
All of that takes two seconds. Do not try to analyse it at match speed for the first time. Practise it during training: take a look, say it out loud ("heels", "toes", "left side open") and then shoot.
Step by step: a reliable penalty routine
Before the shot
Breathe out, decide your plan and hold the ball at the stick's blade with a relaxed grip. The ball should be about 20–30 cm ahead of your front foot so you do not have to reach for it.
The run-up
Move toward the goal at a speed you can control. A slow start followed by a short acceleration is hard for a goalkeeper to read. Keep your head up at three or four metres from the goal and read his weight.
The decision point
About two metres from the goalkeeper, you choose: shoot now, or fake and move. If the goalkeeper has already committed to one side, go the other way. If he has not moved, shoot low to a corner.
The finish
Keep the stick low and the follow-through pointing at the target. A rushed lifted shot goes high and is easy to save, and a high backswing breaks the rules.
Coach Erik's tip: Do not try a new trick in a match. Choose your penalty plan in training, take 20 shots with it and write down the result. A move you have done 100 times is more useful than a clever one you saw yesterday.
How can you practise penalties at home?
For a realistic practice you need a full-size goal, something that looks like a goalkeeper, a smooth surface and a pile of balls. The Extreme Floorball Goalie (€129.95) is a goalie target that turns a full-size goal into a realistic training partner, and it never gets tired. The Extreme Floorball Goal (€149) gives you the correct 160 x 115 cm size. Put a Shooting Pad 120x60 cm (€59) or some Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79) in front for the run-up. The Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (€34) mark the corners you aim for. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand, and everything is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
The tiles and the 3-target set are Made in Europe. See the Extreme Floorball Goalie for details, and the shooting collection for the rest of the shooting zone.
Four penalty drills
- Corner penalty (8 minutes). Walk in from 6 m and shoot low to a marked corner. 20 shots, 10 to each side. Cue: eyes on the corner, not the ball.
- Fake-and-shoot (10 minutes). Show a shot with the shoulders, pull the ball one step across and shoot into the far corner. 4 sets of 5. Watch for: a fake that is too fast, which tells the goalkeeper nothing.
- Read-and-react (10 minutes, with a partner). A partner stands as goalkeeper and changes position or weight each time. You call "left" or "right" before you choose. 15 shots.
- Pressure round (6 minutes). 10 penalties in a row, and you must score at least 5 to finish. If not, repeat. This copies the nerves of the real moment.
Common mistakes
- Running too fast. You cannot stop or change direction. Fix: slow the run-up and accelerate in the last two steps.
- Shooting at the goalkeeper's middle. It is the easiest save. Fix: pick a corner before you start.
- A fake that is too small. The goalkeeper does not move. Fix: show the shot with your hips and shoulders, not only the stick.
- Trying a trick for the first time in a match. It usually fails. Fix: stick to the plan you have practised.
- Lifting the ball. A high shot is easier to save. Fix: keep the blade low and the shot along the floor.
FAQ
What is the best way to take a floorball penalty shot?
Decide your plan before the run-up, move at a controlled speed, read the goalkeeper's position and weight, and finish low into a corner. A believable fake followed by a shot to the open side works well against goalkeepers who commit early.
Where should I aim on a penalty shot?
The lower corners near the posts are the hardest to save. Choose the corner before you start and change only if the goalkeeper moves to cover it.
How do I fake out a goalkeeper?
Slow your hands, show the shot with your hips and shoulders, and drag the ball one step to the side before the real shot. A fake only works if it looks like a shot, so make it realistic.
Is it better to shoot hard or fake?
Neither is always better. Against a goalkeeper who stands still, a quick, low shot is enough. Against one who moves early, a fake gives a clear opening. Practise both so you can choose.
How can I practise penalty shots at home?
Set up a full-size goal, a smooth surface for the run-up, a goalie target and corner targets. Take 20–30 penalties per session, track your goals and try different moves.
How do I handle nerves on a penalty?
Use a routine: breathe out, pick your corner, take the same first steps each time. Practise under pressure, for example by setting a goal target in training, so the situation feels familiar.
Summary
A good floorball penalty shot combines a plan, a calm run-up and a read of the goalkeeper, finishing low into a corner. Learn two or three moves, practise them under pressure and keep your stick below waist height. Find more shooting guides in the Floorball Shooting hub, and follow us on Instagram @better_floorball.
