Quick answer
For 10–13 year olds, floorball training should combine technique with game understanding: 60–75 minutes at a club or 30–40 minutes at home, built around ball control under pressure, passing on the move, shooting with a purpose and small-sided games. Add scanning, one-touch play and simple team principles, but keep sessions playful. Players in this age group improve fastest with plenty of touches, clear goals and two or three short home sessions each week.
Key takeaways
- At 10–13 players can handle more detail: use two cues per drill, not one, and explain the why.
- Keep ball touches high. Even in team sessions, aim for small groups and stations rather than long queues.
- Introduce decision-making through constraints: limited touches, limited space, a time limit.
- Passing on the move, receiving with a purpose and the first look-up habit (scanning) are the big wins of this age.
- Growth spurts can temporarily affect coordination. Be patient, and check the stick length again.
- Home practice of 2–3 sessions a week of 30–40 minutes compounds quickly.
What changes between under-10s and 10–13 year olds?
Players in this group can concentrate for 10 minutes or more on one activity, understand simple tactical ideas and enjoy competition. In my groups, this is when you can start asking "why did you pass there?" and get a real answer. They are also more sensitive to comparison with others, so keep feedback specific and positive. The table summarises how I adjust a session compared with the youngest group.
| Area | Under-10s | 10–13 year olds |
|---|---|---|
| Block length | 3–5 min | 8–12 min |
| Cues per drill | One | Two, with a reason |
| Games | 2v2, 3v3, small goals | 3v3, 4v4, plus rules that shape decisions |
| Passing | Short, stationary | On the move, receiving and turning |
| Shooting | Target practice from short range | Shooting after receiving, from different angles |
| Home sessions | 15–20 min | 30–40 min |
A 75-minute session plan for 10–13 year olds
| Block | Time | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-up with the ball | 10 min | Dynamic movement, dribbling patterns, quick feet |
| Ball control under pressure | 10 min | 1v1 in small squares, protect the ball |
| Passing and receiving | 15 min | Triangle passing, give-and-go, receive and turn |
| Shooting | 15 min | Receive and shoot, targets, shots from angles |
| Small-sided games | 20 min | 3v3 and 4v4 with conditions |
| Cool-down and review | 5 min | Stretch, one thing learned, one goal for next time |
Five drills that suit this age
- 1v1 in a square (6 minutes). A 4 x 4 m square, one attacker with the ball, one defender. The attacker scores a point by dribbling over any line under control. Rotate every 30 seconds. Cue: "Shield the ball with your body" and "change pace after the first touch". Watch for: sticks lifted above the waist while defending.
- Give-and-go triangle (8 minutes). Three players, three cones in a triangle 5 m apart. Pass to the next player, run to their cone and receive the ball back. Count the passes in 90 seconds. Cue: "Pass and move" and "open the blade to receive".
- Receive, turn and shoot (10 minutes). A player passes to a rebounder or partner, receives the return on the backhand side, turns and shoots at a target from 4 m. 3 sets of 8. Cue: "First touch toward the goal."
- Two-touch game (10 minutes). 4v4 in 15 x 10 m, with players allowed a maximum of two touches. This forces quick decisions and scanning. Cue: "Look before the ball arrives."
- Scan and pass (6 minutes). Players dribble in a 10 x 10 m area. A coach holds up fingers behind them; when the coach calls "now", the player shows the number and passes to a partner. It trains looking up without losing control.
For related ideas, see passing and scanning, receive and shoot and game understanding.
Which home equipment fits 10–13 year olds?
At this age players can use the full-size goal (160 x 115 cm) and need more demanding tools. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand that sells its own products without middlemen, which keeps prices low. Everything is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability, and the tiles, passers, stickhandling trainer and shooting targets are Made in Europe.
| Skill | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Passing, receiving, one-timers | Extreme Floorball Passer Pro (two passing slots) | €149 |
| Ball control | Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer | €69 |
| Smooth surface | Extreme Floorball Tiles 30-Pack (3.2 m²) | €254 |
| Shooting aims | Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets | €34 |
| Goal and safety | Extreme Floorball Goal and Backstop Net 5x2,5 m | €149 and €129 |
The Passer Pro allows both straight passes and volley passes, which helps with one-timers (hitting the ball without stopping it). Browse the passing and stickhandling collection for more options.
Coach Erik's tip: Give every home session a number to beat: passes in a row, targets hit, seconds without losing the ball. Players of this age love a personal record, and a log in a notebook shows real progress over weeks.
How do you handle growth spurts and different levels?
In a group of 10–13 year olds, some players are a head taller than others. Coordination can dip temporarily during rapid growth, so be patient and keep the focus on touches and technique instead of power. Check the stick length every season. In shoes, the end should reach roughly to the navel or a few centimetres below, and a growing child may need a longer stick. Mixed-level groups work well with games that have handicaps for stronger players, such as only the weaker side or a limit on touches. See the kids' stick size chart for guidance.
How do you build motivation and fitness at this age?
Players aged 10–13 respond well to variety, friendship and visible progress. Mix serious technical work with games and let players help choose the final game. For fitness, bodyweight movements and agility games are enough, and you can read more in strength training for young floorball players. For parents, keeping kids motivated has practical advice.
Common mistakes
- Copying senior training. Fix: keep sessions playful, with plenty of touches and small games.
- Too much tactical talk. Fix: explain a principle in 30 seconds and let players try it in a game.
- Forcing power shots. Fix: keep the focus on accuracy and clean technique. Power follows.
- Ignoring the weaker side. Fix: include a weaker-side round in every drill.
- Comparing players. Fix: set personal goals and review each player's progress against their own numbers.
- Skipping rest. Fix: leave at least one full rest day per week, and take it seriously if wrists or knees hurt.
FAQ
How long should floorball training be for 10–13 year olds?
Club sessions of 60–75 minutes work well, split into blocks of 8–15 minutes. At home, 30–40 minutes two or three times per week is plenty. Include a rest day every week.
What skills should 10–13 year olds focus on?
Ball control under pressure, passing and receiving on the move, shooting after receiving and basic game understanding such as scanning and positioning. Technique and touches matter more than tactics at this age.
Should 10–13 year olds do strength training?
Bodyweight exercises such as squats, lunges, planks and balance work are suitable when well supervised and technically correct. Avoid heavy loads and focus on movement quality. If unsure, ask a qualified coach or your club.
How can my child get more ball touches at home?
Use a smooth surface, a stickhandling trainer, a passer and targets. A 30-minute home session can easily give several hundred touches. Count reps to track improvement.
What size goal should a 10–13 year old shoot at?
Many players in this age group train on the full-size goal, which is 160 x 115 cm. Use targets to make the goal feel smaller and to focus on aim. Ask your club which goal size it uses for your age group's matches.
How do I keep a 12-year-old motivated?
Offer variety, personal challenges and time with friends. Let players help plan sessions, celebrate effort and avoid constant comparison. Short, fun home challenges also help.
Summary
Players aged 10–13 are ready for more detail but still need play. Combine technical blocks with small-sided games, use two cues per drill, add scanning and quick decisions and support it all with 2–3 home sessions per week. When they grow older, move on to training for teenagers, and explore the Youth Floorball hub. Follow us on Instagram @better_floorball.
