Quick answer
These 15 floorball stickhandling drills go from basic ball control to game-speed moves with a defender. Start with drills 1–5 (control), move to 6–10 (change of direction and speed) and finish with 11–15 (head up and pressure). Do 15–20 minutes, four times a week, on a smooth surface, and move to the next level only when you can repeat a drill cleanly five times in a row.
Key takeaways
- Fifteen drills in three levels: control, speed and direction change, and pressure.
- Every drill has a clear number of reps or minutes, so you can track progress.
- Soft hands and a loose grip matter more than speed.
- Use both the forehand and the backhand side of the blade.
- A tile surface and a stickhandling trainer turn a small space into a skill gym.
- Keep your stick below waist height and the ball low at all times.
How should you organise the drills?
Most players I coach jump straight to the tricky moves. It is more useful to build a solid base first. I split the 15 drills into three levels, and the table shows how to use them. Pick two drills from the level you are on, and add one from the level above when you feel confident.
| Level | Drills | Focus | Move up when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Control | 1–5 | Soft hands, ball in front, both sides | You can do each drill clean 5 times in a row |
| 2. Speed and direction | 6–10 | Quick touches, change of direction, backhand | You finish the drills in the target time without losing the ball |
| 3. Head up and pressure | 11–15 | Scanning, 1 vs 1, game-like decisions | You succeed in 5 of 6 rounds with a passive defender |
Level 1: Control (drills 1–5)
- Left-right touches (2 minutes). Move the ball from side to side in front of you with the blade. Cue: the ball stays in front of your hips. Count 100 touches.
- Forward-backward pulls (2 minutes). Pull the ball toward you and push it forward in a straight line. 3 sets of 30 seconds. Watch for: arms that swing, not wrists that turn.
- Circle the ball (2 minutes). Move the ball in a small circle with the blade, 10 rounds in each direction. Cue: keep the circle small and the ball close.
- Square drill (3 minutes). Four cones in a 1 x 1 m square. Move the ball from corner to corner, using only the blade. 5 laps each direction.
- Backhand carry (3 minutes). Carry the ball on the backhand over 5 m, 6 times. Cue: use the back side of the blade and keep your knees bent.
Level 2: Speed and direction (drills 6–10)
- Figure eight (4 minutes). Two cones 1.5 m apart. Weave an 8 around them. 10 laps each way. Cue: turn the wrists and keep the ball close.
- Slalom (4 minutes). Five cones in a line, 1 m apart. Weave through with the ball. 6 rounds. Watch for: a ball that drifts away on the turn.
- Speed-change lane (5 minutes). Over 20 m: walk 5 m, sprint 5 m, slow 5 m, sprint 5 m. 6 rounds. Cue: change pace without losing the ball.
- Inside-outside (4 minutes). Move the ball across the body (inside) and back (outside) while moving forward. 6 lanes of 8 m.
- Stop and turn (4 minutes). Run with the ball, stop on a cone, pull the ball back and turn 180 degrees. 10 turns on each side. Cue: low hips, ball close to the blade.
Level 3: Head up and pressure (drills 11–15)
- Finger count (4 minutes). A partner holds up fingers behind you. Call the number while you stickhandle. 5 rounds of 30 seconds.
- Colour call (4 minutes). Cones in four colours, and a partner calls a colour. You go to that cone with the ball. 10 calls.
- 1 vs 1 in a box (5 minutes). A 4 x 4 m box with a passive defender. Keep the ball for 10 seconds. 6 rounds. Watch for: turning your back too soon.
- Gate game (6 minutes). Set up several gates (2 cones, 1 m apart). Carry the ball through as many gates as possible in 60 seconds. 4 rounds. Beat your record.
- Carry and finish (5 minutes). Dribble around three cones, then shoot at the goal. 10 reps. Cue: head up before the shot.
The drills 1–15 add up to about 60 minutes. Never do them all in one day: choose a mix of 4–6 drills for a 20-minute session.
Coach Erik's tip: Set a timer. Many players practise "until it feels good", which means about three minutes. A timer of 30 or 60 seconds per drill forces you to keep going, and the last 15 seconds are where you learn the most.
What gear do you need?
You can start with cones and a smooth floor. But a few tools make the drills better and the session more varied. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand with its own products and no middlemen, and everything is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
| Product | Price | How it helps with these drills |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer | €69 | Replaces cones; adjustable shape for many moves; folds for transport |
| Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack | €79 | 0.9 m² smooth surface for drills 1–5 |
| Extreme Floorball Tiles 15-Pack | €139 | 1.6 m² for figure eights and turns |
| Extreme Floorball Tiles 30-Pack | €254 | Longer lane for drills 8 and 9 |
| Extreme Floorball Passing Kit Tiles | €239 | Passer plus 15 tiles for stickhandling and passing |
The tiles, the passer and the trainer are Made in Europe. See the passing and stickhandling collection and the floorball tiles collection for everything.
How do you build a weekly plan?
| Day | Drills | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 1, 2, 4, 6 | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 5, 7, 8, 11 | 18 min |
| Friday | 9, 10, 12, 14 | 20 min |
| Saturday | 13, 15 and free play | 20 min |
After four weeks, repeat the plan with harder targets: fewer seconds, tighter turns and a more active defender. For a full guide to the topic, read how to improve your floorball stickhandling, and for quiet drills in small spaces see stickhandling at home.
Common mistakes
- Skipping Level 1. You get sloppy habits. Fix: spend at least a week on control drills.
- Looking at the ball all the time. You miss the game. Fix: add the finger count or colour call early.
- A tight grip. The ball bounces. Fix: relax your hands.
- Only forehand. Defenders read you. Fix: put at least a third of the touches on the backhand.
- A stick above waist height. It breaks the rules. Fix: keep the blade low.
FAQ
What are the best floorball stickhandling drills?
Start with left-right touches, forward-backward pulls and the figure eight for control. Add slalom, speed changes and the finger count for game-like skills.
How long should a stickhandling session be?
15–20 minutes, four times a week, works well. Shorter and more frequent sessions beat one long session.
Do I need cones?
Cones are enough, but a stickhandling trainer replaces many cones and can be reshaped to practise different moves.
How do I know when I can move to the next level?
When you can do a drill cleanly five times in a row, with the ball always under control, move up.
Can I do these drills indoors?
Yes. A smooth surface such as snap-together tiles, a hallway or a garage works. Stickhandling is quiet compared with shooting.
How can kids use these drills?
Shorten the time per drill to 30 seconds, use more games (gates, colour calls) and cheer on small improvements. Kids learn through play.
Summary
Fifteen drills in three levels will take your stickhandling from basic control to game-ready skills. Use a timer, track your reps and keep the stick below waist height. Set up a small surface at home and you can practise whenever you have 15 minutes. Find more guides in the Stickhandling hub, and follow us on Instagram @better_floorball.
