Quick answer
The best way to support your child in floorball is to be a calm, positive presence: bring them to training on time, cheer for effort rather than results, leave the coaching to the coach, and ask open questions after matches such as "What was the best part today?". Encourage short, playful practice at home, protect sleep and school time, and let your child set the pace. Children who feel supported, not pressured, stay in the sport longer and enjoy it more.
Key takeaways
- Your child wants a parent, not a second coach. Cheer, listen and keep instructions to the club.
- Praise effort, teamwork and brave attempts. Goals are a small part of the story.
- Keep the car ride home short and kind. Start with a question about fun, not about mistakes.
- Offer ten minutes of home practice, never force it. A small, playful challenge works better than a schedule.
- Sleep, food and school come first. Tired children play badly and enjoy less.
- Think in seasons, not matches. Progress is rarely a straight line.
What does a child really need from a floorball parent?
Ask children what they want from their parents at a match and most give a similar answer: "Be there, be happy, and don't shout at me". They want to know that you enjoy watching them, win or lose. They do not need a running commentary or a review of every mistake.
It helps to think of three roles. The coach teaches the sport. The referee enforces the rules. The parent supports the child as a person. When parents slip into the coach's role, children get mixed messages, and when they criticise the referee, children learn that excuses are normal. If you stay in your own role, you become the most valuable person in your child's sporting life.
The table below compares common sideline behaviours and the effect they tend to have. It is based on what I have seen over many seasons with youth teams.
| What you do | What your child hears | Better alternative |
|---|---|---|
| "Shoot!" from the sideline | "You are making the wrong choice" | "Great effort!" after the play |
| Arguing with the referee | "Mistakes are someone else's fault" | Quiet respect, applaud good play from both teams |
| Replaying every mistake in the car | "I disappointed you" | "What was the best part of today?" |
| Comparing to teammates | "You are not good enough" | Compare to your child's own progress |
| Cheering for both effort and goals | "You matter even when it goes wrong" | Keep doing this |
What should you say before and after a match?
Before a match, keep it simple: "Have fun, try your best and enjoy the game." Avoid adding goals like "You must score today". After the match, give your child time. Many children need ten minutes to calm down, eat something and talk to teammates. Then try one of these openers.
- "What was the best part of the game?"
- "What did you try today that you are proud of?"
- "Is there anything you would like to practise before next time?"
If your child is upset, listen first and say "That sounds tough". Only then ask if they want to talk about it. After a loss, a hug and a snack usually do more than analysis. Later in the week, you might ask "Do you want to try a few passes in the hallway?" and let the child decide. We go deeper on this in what to say after a floorball game.
Coach Erik's tip: Try the 24-hour rule. Do not give any technical feedback within 24 hours of a match. After the first day, the child is calmer and more open, and you can ask whether they want ideas. Most players I coach say this is when they actually listen.
How can you help your child practise at home?
Home practice makes the biggest difference when it is short, playful and the child's idea. The aim is not to produce a star, but to give your child extra ball touches so they feel more confident at team sessions. Confidence leads to more involvement, which leads to more fun.
A space of 1 m² is enough for stickhandling. A hallway, garage corner, balcony or basement works. A smooth surface lets the ball roll true. The Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79) covers about 0.9 m², and the Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer (€69) turns it into an obstacle course your child can change every day. Both are Made in Europe, and Better Floorball is a Swedish brand with products designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
If your child wants to practise passing alone, a rebounder such as the Extreme Floorball Passer (€129) works as a patient passing partner. When they ask to shoot, add a Extreme Floorball Goal (€149) and a Backstop Net (€129) so shots stay in your garden and off the neighbours' windows. See our parent's guide to home setups for layouts. You do not need to buy everything at once. Start small and add items as your child asks for them.
Five ten-minute home challenges
- Touch count (10 minutes). How many touches can you do in 60 seconds with the ball moving side to side? Repeat 5 times and write the best score on a sheet. Cue: head up every few touches.
- Target practice (10 minutes). Stand 2 m from a wall, mark a target with tape and hit it 10 times with a pass. Move back 25 cm after each success.
- Obstacle course (10 minutes). Use cones, shoes or cushions as gates. Time each lap, aim to beat your best by one second.
- Trick of the week (10 minutes). Pick one move from a video or from your teammates, and practise it for 10 minutes every day this week.
- Parent vs child (10 minutes). Play a short game of passing between you, for example 20 passes without a miss. Let your child win sometimes.
How do you handle nerves, mistakes and bad days?
Every child has days when nothing works. Some get nervous before matches. Others hate making mistakes and stop trying new things. Here is what helps.
- Normalise mistakes. Tell stories about times you failed and tried again. Mistakes are how everyone learns.
- Break goals into small steps. "Make one good pass" is easier than "play well".
- Breathe and move. A few slow breaths and a short walk before a match calm many children.
- Talk to the coach. If your child is anxious or unhappy, a quiet word before training often helps.
For more on this theme read building floorball confidence in kids and keeping kids motivated.
How do you balance floorball with school and rest?
Sleep and school are the foundation. A tired child cannot learn skills well or enjoy training. As a rough rule, protect the evening before a match and the evening after hard sessions, and avoid late nights on school days. Check training times with school work in mind, and talk to the coach if exams are coming. Our article on balancing school and floorball offers a weekly planner.
Food and water matter too. Pack a water bottle for every session and a simple snack such as fruit or a sandwich. Avoid trying new foods on match days. Small habits like these make children feel looked after.
When should you step in, and when should you step back?
Step in when your child is hurt, scared, bullied or clearly unhappy for several sessions in a row. Talk to the coach first, calmly and privately, not in front of the group. Step back when the problem is a normal part of sport: losing a game, not playing the position they wanted, or a bad day. Give the coach time to explain their choices and try to trust the process.
Common mistakes
- Coaching during the game. It confuses children. Fix: cheer the effort and teamwork, and save feedback for later.
- Overanalysing the result. Fix: ask about fun first, then wait for your child to bring up details.
- Pushing too much home practice. It becomes a chore. Fix: offer short challenges and let your child choose.
- Criticising the referee or coach. Fix: model respect, and discuss concerns privately.
- Comparing siblings or teammates. Fix: compare your child only to their past self.
- Ignoring rest. Fix: protect sleep and at least one free day each week.
FAQ
How can I support my child if they are nervous before matches?
Keep the pre-match routine calm and predictable: same snack, same time to leave, a few slow breaths. Tell them to enjoy the game rather than to win. Small, specific goals like "make one good pass" also reduce pressure.
Should I give my child technical advice?
Leave technical advice to the coach during matches and training. At home, ask if your child wants help, and only then share a simple tip. Waiting 24 hours after a match often makes children more open.
How much should my child practise at home?
Ten to twenty minutes, three or four times a week, is plenty for most children. Make it playful and let your child choose the activity. Quality and enjoyment matter more than minutes.
What if my child wants to quit?
Listen first and find out why. It might be a conflict, boredom, nerves or too many commitments. Talk to the coach, try changes like a different position or fewer sessions, and give it a few weeks. If your child still wants to stop, respect it and keep the door open.
How do I handle a bad coach or referee decision?
Stay calm and do not react from the sideline. Talk to the coach privately a day later and ask for their reasoning. Children copy how adults handle disappointment, so a calm response teaches a lot.
What equipment helps with home practice?
A smooth surface such as tiles, a stickhandling trainer and a few balls are the best starting kit. Add a passer and a goal with a backstop net as interest grows. Start small and let your child ask for more.
Summary
Supporting your child in floorball is about being present, positive and patient. Cheer effort, keep feedback gentle, make home practice playful and protect sleep and school time. Do this and you build a child who enjoys the sport, handles setbacks and keeps playing. For more parent resources visit the Floorball Parents hub.
