Quick answer
A free hit is a restart where your team plays the ball while the opponents must stand at least 3 m away. Good free hit plays use that space: a quick restart before the defence sets up, or a simple prepared pattern with a decoy, a pass and a shot. Train two or three plays until they run automatically, and always give the player on the ball a safe option.
Key takeaways
- The opponent must be 3 m away, which gives you time and room. Use it before the defence organises.
- The fastest free hit is often the best: a quick pass to a free teammate beats a long set-up.
- Prepared plays need roles: a hitter, a decoy, a receiver and a shooter.
- Simple patterns (pass, screen, shot) beat complicated ones under pressure.
- Practise the same plays from different positions on the floor.
- Defending free hits matters too: keep your 3 m and stay compact.
What is a free hit in floorball?
When a foul or an infringement occurs, play restarts with a free hit. The team awarded the free hit puts the ball on the floor at the spot where the infringement happened, and the opponents must stand 3 m from the ball. A hit-in after the ball goes over the boards follows the same 3 m idea. Check your national association's rule book for the details about how and where the ball can be played; this article focuses on how to use the situation.
Most players I coach treat the free hit as a pause. Good teams treat it as a chance. You have a moment where the opponent is not allowed to press, and that moment is worth planning for.
When should you play quickly, and when should you set up a play?
| Situation | Recommended approach | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Defence still moving back, free teammate visible | Quick restart | Catches the opponent unorganised |
| Defence already set, everyone marked | Prepared play | Use the roles and decoys you practised |
| Free hit in your defensive third | Safe pass to a free teammate, often to the side | Avoid turnovers near your own goal |
| Free hit in the middle | Quick pass forward or switch the play wide | Build the attack with tempo |
| Free hit near the opponent's goal | Prepared shot play | Highest chance to score |
Which free hit plays are worth learning?
1. The Quick Switch
The hitter passes to a nearby teammate, who immediately passes to a third player on the other side. The defence has moved toward the ball and is now out of position. Cue: "Two touches, then shoot or advance."
2. The Decoy and Shot
Two players stand close to the ball. One runs across as if to receive, taking a defender with him. The other receives the pass and shoots, or passes onward. Watch for: a decoy that stops running too early.
3. The Screen Play
Near the goal, one attacker stands in front of the goalkeeper to block the view. The hitter passes to a shooter in the slot. The screen player then looks for rebounds.
4. The Third Man
The hitter passes to a short option, who returns the ball to the hitter or to a runner coming from behind. The runner receives with space and shoots. It trains timing and movement.
5. The Long Option
A hard, flat pass to a player who runs behind the defence. Use only if the lane is open and your passer has the accuracy. A great way to catch teams that retreat too far.
Coach Erik's tip: Give each play a one-word name, like "Switch" or "Screen". The hitter calls the name, and everyone knows their job. Players love having code words, and you avoid arguments on the floor.
How do you practise free hits?
- Walk-through (5 minutes). Run each play with no defenders. Each player says their role aloud.
- Passive defence (6 minutes). Defenders stand 3 m away and follow the rules but do not tackle. Rep each play three times from each side.
- Live defence (6 minutes). Defenders react to the play. Count shots and goals for each play.
- Random free hits in a game (8 minutes). Play 4 against 4. Whenever you whistle, one team gets a free hit and must choose a play. Cue: "Quick or prepared?"
- Defend the free hit (5 minutes). Swap roles. Defenders practise keeping their 3 m and covering the free players.
Place the free hit block at the end of your session as part of a plan, as in our practice plan template.
What skills and equipment help?
Free hit plays depend on accurate, hard passes and shots from a standing ball. Players can practise these at home. The Extreme Floorball Passer Pro (€149) has two slots, ideal for crisp straight passes and one-time volleys. The Extreme Floorball Passer (€129) is a simpler version for passing and receiving. For shooting practice from a standing ball, the Extreme Floorball Shooting Pad 120x60 cm (€59) gives a smooth surface, and the Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (€34) mark the corners of a full-size goal. The passers and targets are Made in Europe, and Better Floorball designs and tests everything in Sweden for maximum durability.
See also our guides to the one-timer and one-touch passing.
How do you build a free hit playbook for your team?
Teams that win free hits do not invent a new play each time. They keep two or three simple plays they can run without discussion. Build a playbook in three steps and practise it every week for five minutes at the start of practice.
| Play type | When to use it | Signal | Practice reps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick free hit | The defence is not set and the opponent is more than 3 m away | Eye contact with the open player | 10 per side |
| Short option | The opponents are close, so you need a safe pass | Hand up from the receiver | 10 per side |
| Set play with a screen | You need a shot from a particular spot | A short call, such as "red" | 8 per side |
Keep the signals so short that players can remember them under stress. Practise each play in three stages: without defenders, with passive defenders standing 3 m away, and then against a team that tries to win the ball. Opponents must stay 3 m from the ball at a free hit, so use tape or cones to mark the distance in practice. Cue: "Same call, same place, every time." Watch for: changing the play after the first failure. Run a play at least five times before you decide if it works, because one failed attempt often comes from one late player, not from a bad idea.
Common mistakes
- Waiting too long. Fix: if a teammate is free, restart quickly; do not give the defence time.
- Too many plays. Fix: learn two or three and make them automatic.
- Weak passes from the hitter. Fix: practise firm, accurate passes to the stick.
- Decoys that do not move. Fix: demand full-speed runs even when the ball is not coming.
- No second option. Fix: always have a safe pass if the play is blocked.
- Forgetting the defensive side. Fix: practise keeping 3 m and covering free players.
FAQ
How far must opponents stand at a free hit?
Opponents must stand at least 3 m from the ball. The same distance applies to hit-ins.
Should we always run a prepared play?
No. If a teammate is free and the defence is out of position, a quick restart is often best. Prepared plays are for when the defence is set.
How many free hit plays should a team know?
Two or three are enough. More plays lead to confusion, and the simplest plays are often the most effective.
How do I teach free hits to youth players?
Start with a simple rule: pass to a free player and move. Add a second pass or a decoy only when the first step works.
What is the best way to defend a free hit?
Keep the 3 m, stay compact, and mark the free players and the shooting lanes. Watch for quick restarts when you are still setting up.
Where can players practise free hit passes alone?
At home with a rebounder, a smooth surface and a target. Repetition builds the accuracy a free hit needs.
Summary
Free hits give your team time and space. Play quickly when the defence is unready, and use two or three simple plays when it is set. Practise the roles, the passes and the defence of the 3 m rule. Find more tactical ideas in the coaches hub.
