What is Floorball

Floorball (also known as Innebandy, Salibandy or Unihockey) is an indoor team sport that originated during the 1970's in Sweden and Finland. Floorball is a fast-paced, low-contact type of floor hockey that has two teams of 3 to 5 players plus a goalie competing to score the most goals. There are more then 250,000 officially registered Floorball players (and millions more unofficial players) worldwide playing in over 30 countries.

The Australian Floorball scene has grown rapidly with the Australian Floorball Association (AFA) forming in 1996. The number of players in Australia continues to grow quickly with many schools adding Floorball to their physical education curriculum and recreation centres creating Floorball competitions. With Floorball now recognised by the International Olympic Committee the Australian National Teams are training hard as can be seen in the 2008 World Floorball Championships - Australia vs France (below).

Floorball is a sport suitable for everyone including people with disabilities as can be seen here at the 2007 Electric Wheelchair Hockey Tournament (video) held in Trutnov and the Czech Wheelchair Floorball League (video) which plays all year round.

Floorball is still growing rapidly around the world and new styles of play are being developed by the players, this has led to new competitions based on demonstrating skill alone as can be seen here at a Floorball 'Zorro' (video) competition and in advertisements by major equipment manufacturers such as UNIHOC and ZONE (video).

The History of Floorball

Floorball was created in the 1970s in Gothenburg, Sweden. It was developed from the game of ball hockey and started as something played for fun at schools. Soon floorball began to become popular in Scandinavian countries like Finland, Sweden and Norway. It was then developed into a sport. Soon many countries had national associations, and in 1986 the IFF was founded. 

There are many other names floorball is known as, such as salibandy (in Finland), unihockey (in Switzerland) and innebandy (in Sweden). Bandy is a sport similar to hockey, and the names ‘innebandy’ and ‘salibandy’ translate to ‘indoor bandy’.

In 1986, one of the world’s largest floorball leagues, Finland’s Salibandyliiga was formed. Floorball was recognised by 7 countries by 1990 and the first European Floorball Championships was held in 1994, when there were 14 countries recognising floorball. In 1996, the first men’s world championships were held, and 20 nations played floorball, 12 of which participated.

Now, in 2009, floorball is played in almost 80 countries. Of which, 49 have national floorball associations. There is at least one national association on each continent of the world, excluding Antarctica. Floorball was recognised by the IOC in 2009 and the IFF hopes that floorball will be included as a demonstration sport at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The IFF intends that floorball will be in the 2020 Summer Olympic games. 

Floorball in Australia

Floorball has been played in Australia since the early 1990's with the governing body for Floorball in Australia, the Australian Floorball Association (AFA) being formed in 1996. In September 2008 the AFA received official recognition by the Australian Sports Committee (ASC).

Australia is also a founding member of the Asia and Oceania Floorball Confederation (AOFC) which was established in 2005. The AOFC organises the men's and women's Asia Pacific Floorball Championships each year which sees Australia competing with India, Japan, Malaysia and other countries. Australia finished second in the 2009 championship behind Japan.

Floorball is now played in every Australian state and is rapidly growing in popularity. Each state has an organising body and the number of clubs and their members continues to grow every year. Floorball is also now being promoted by State government sport and health departments for inclusion in school sports curriculums as it has proven to be a fun and safe way to stay fit and active.

How to get involved in Floorball

Floorball is now represented in every state within Australia with each having its own association. There are many clubs and venues which cater for the junior, senior, social and competitive player. Refer to our venues page for a list and links for clubs and venues within Australia. We are constantly updating our list to include new clubs and venues to ensure everybody knows where to go.

Where to play Floorball

Australian Floorball Association:

http://www.floorball.org.au/index.php

ACT:

http://www.actfloorball.org.au/start.asp

New South Wales:

http://www.nswfloorball.org/main/

Queensland:

http://www.qldfloorball.org/

South Australia:

http://www.floorball.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=84&Itemid=112

Tasmania:

http://www.floorball.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=119

Victoria:

http://www.vicfloorball.org/index.php

Western Australia:

http://www.wafloorball.org/

New Zealand: 

www.floorball.org.nz

Choosing a Floorball Stick

With the large variety of choices available buying a Floorball stick can be a confusing exercise, especially if you are looking to get your first one. We hope to make your task a little easier by explaining the various options available and what they mean.

1. Shooting Direction or Handedness

   Floorball Sticks and Blades come in either left or right handed styles, which one is right for you is a matter of personal preference. If you have not tried holding a floorball stick before we suggest borrowing one or holding a stick or bat of some other kind (hockey, cricket, baseball) in a manner that is comfortable to you. Now, if your left hand is lower or closer to the far end of the stick or bat you will want a left handed stick or blade. If your right hand is lower or closer to the far end of the stick or bat you will want a right handed stick or blade.

   You should be aware that the generally accepted rule is to have your strongest or dominant hand at the top of the floorball stick as this will likely give you greater control and power. If you are just starting out and have no existing preference (as in our suggestion above) we recommend you follow this rule. If you have played other sports like cricket or field hockey the opposite is often taught and you will probably be most comfortable with your non-dominant hand at the top of the stick.

2. Stick Length

   The general rule for choosing the correct stick length is that the top of a floorball stick, when standing vertically on a flat surface, should reach about one to two centimeters above your belly button. The most common length we find is 95-96cm which most people should feel comfortable with. Please note that the published stick length on our site is typically for the shaft only, add 10cm for approximate length of shaft + blade, i.e. 95cm stick = ~105cm total length. So if you measured about 105cm using the method above, a 95cm stick would be appropriate.

   Most floorball sticks can be shortened by removing the grip and sawing off a portion of the shaft from the top (please note that some sticks have a sleaved grip instead of a wrap-on which might make this very difficult - ask us if uncertain).

3. Shaft Flex (Rigidity or Stiffness)

   The shaft flex for a floorball stick is normally measured in millimetres and refers to how much the shaft bends under a load of 300 Newtons. The lower the number the less flex the shaft has so it is more rigid or stiffer. Floorball sticks that are approved by the International governing body (IFF) must have a flex of at least 23mm (so this is the stiffest stick you will normally find) and be able to tolerate a flex of up to 60mm without cracking or fracturing.

   Which shaft flex is right for you depends on how you play. Experienced players generally prefer a stiffer stick that lets them hit harder (by bending the stick against the floor) and shoot more accurately. A more flexible stick may be preferred in defensive positions, for casual play or for those less experienced where a softer shaft can allow you to still hit hard and accurately while developing your technique.

   In addition to the above, various shaft technologies have been developed by the leading floorball manufacturers, like Unihoc and Zone, which further influence how a stick feels. These are explained here. 

4. Blade Type

   Floorball Stick Blades come in a wide variety and each particular stick within a product range normally comes with its own unique type of Blade. The Blades vary in size, shape, colour and firmness. A firmer blade (often referred to as 'hard' or 'super-hard') will help increase the power behind your shot, while a softer blade ('soft' or 'medium') will help with your ball control.

   Blades also often feature a concave area called a 'ball pocket' designed to help you better control the ball. While a larger or deeper ball pocket provides greater dribbling control of the ball and allows you to more easily perform trick (Airhooking or Zorro) moves this may come at the expense of shooting accuracy.

   There are also blades specially designed for 'Zorro'. Zorro is the name given to the art of performing tricks with your stick and ball. Blades designed for this purpose feature a curve or hook in the blade design to make performing zorro moves easier. You can also bend any blade by first heating it up and then applying pressure to shape it, this is often done to fine tune a blade to your style. While this is not difficult care should be taken as you will be voiding any warranty and potentially damage the blade or yourself!

   You will find that some people have changed the blade that came with their stick. While a blade from the same manufacturer will normally fit any one of their shafts, the same is not true if mixing blades and shafts from different manufacturers. Also, by changing the blade to a different type than what the stick was certified with you may be breaking the International rules. Depending on where you play this may mean you cannot use the stick in any competitions.

Floorball Stick Shaft Technologies

Floorball Stick manufacturers continue to innovate with new styles of stick shaft to provide the player with greater accuracy, ball control, speed and power. These technologies are outlined below;

• Aero Hole Technology (AHT) - This floorball stick shaft features a number of ellipse-shaped 'holes' placed along the shaft between the grip and the blade. These holes are designed to perform two functions; Reduce air resistance and make the stick torsion stiffer and more balanced. These functions combine to make your swing faster and give you greater shooting and passing precision.

• Bow - This style of floorball stick shaft is curved from the bottom of the grip to the blade and has a profile not unlike an arrow bow. Similar in concept to the 'Curve', the Bow is said to provide even more power to your shots.

• Bubble - A 'bubble' is placed towards the grip of the shaft which moves the sticks flex closer to the blade and provides more power and a greater kick to your shots.

• Curve - A 'curve' is added to the bottom of the shaft to create an increased angle towards the blade which has the effect of adding power to your shots. Curve styled floorball sticks are generally available with either a 1.5 or 3.0 degree curve. The greater the curve the more power will be added to your shooting.

• Double Bubble - Similar to the 'Bubble' style of stick shaft, a second smaller bubble is placed below the first. The second bubble effectively moves the sticks flex point even closer to the blade providing even more power and adding an even greater kick to your shot.

• Pistol - This type of floorball stick features a 'pistol' shaped grip at the top of the shaft. This providesa slightly angled grip, creating the feeling of holding a handgun. This is aimed at providing greater feel and control when using the floorball stick single handed.

• Two Way System (TWS) - Features 'waves' along the lower part of the shaft which gives a harder flex on the forehand side than on the backhand side. Effectively two shafts in one, you get the shooting benefit of a stiffer shaft and the ball control of a softer one from the one floorball stick.

How to Change the Blade on a Floorball Stick

Following the instructions below will explain how to change the blade on a floorball stick;

1. First read the warning statement below!
2. Remove the screws from the blade using the appropriate screwdriver.
3. Heat the blade where it joins the shaft with a heat gun, hair dryer or hot water. Be very careful not to overheat the plastic as it may melt the blade!
4. Remove the blade carefully without twisting as the blade and shaft are 'keyed' so twisting will damage the shaft! If you cannot remove it then you probably haven't heated the blade enough.
5. Heat the new blade at the shaft joint as you did in step 2. Make sure to completely insert the shaft into the new blade making sure that the wedges at the bottom of the blade joint fit the slots on the shaft. Do not twist!
6. Make sure the screw holes in the blade and the shaft are aligned then fasten the new blade using either the original screws or new screws if they came with the new blade.

A few additional points to note;

• Generally, only blades from the original stick manufacturer will fit their shafts.
• Any Zone blade will normally fit any Zone stick shaft.
• Any Unihoc blade will normally fit any Unihoc stick shaft.
• If you bought a new blade from us but for some reason cannot get it to fit, return it to us undamaged and we will replace or refund at your request.

WARNING

• If you follow this procedure as explained then you should have no problems changing the blade on your floorball stick. However, even if you follow these steps exactly and somehow manage to damage the blade, the stick shaft, yourself, someone else, your house or other property Floorball Nation accepts no responsibility or liability. We also cannot provide you with replacement parts under warranty if something goes wrong.

How to Curve or Hook a Blade

Following the instructions below will explain how to Curve a Floorball Stick Blade;

1. First read the warning below!
2. Fill the sink or a bucket with some cold water from the tap (for later).
3. Now heat the blade using a heat gun, hair dryer or hot water. Be very careful not to overheat the plastic and melt the blade!
4. Heat the blade evenly, making sure not to concentrate on any one area of the blade.
5. When the blade is warm enough you will be able to shape the blade in the way you like.
6. Once you have the shape you want cool the blade in cold water.

A few extra points to note;

• If playing in competitions there are limits to how curved a blade can be. When the blade is placed face down on a flat surface the blade should be curved no more than 3cm at it highest inner surface point.

• Blades are often curved in order to increase the 'hook' at the upper tip of the blade in order to make it easier to perform air-hooking and zorro moves.

WARNING

• If you follow this procedure as explained then you should have no problems curving the blade on your floorball stick. However, even if you follow these steps exactly and somehow manage to damage the blade, the stick shaft, yourself, someone else, your house or other property Floorball Nation accepts no responsibility or liability. We also cannot provide you with replacement parts under warranty if something goes wrong.

Floorball equipment

Stick information:

Most venues and clubs will supply all equipment to get you going such as a place to play, stick, ball, goals etc with you only needing a good pair of indoor running shoes. Your own stick will help you play better as you adjust to its length, weight and blade style. A general rule is that your strongest hand should be on top and never leaves the stick, for instance; 

 Goalie information:

The goalie wears a specially designed helmet, padded sweater, padded pants, kneepads, shinguards, gloves and just in case a jock strap.

The ball weighs only 23grams but has been clocked at over 170km/hr by experienced players!!

For all your equipment needs just go back to our catalog page or contact the Floorball Nation Team where we can supply everything from sticks to entire rinks.

Where to buy Floorball gear

Floorball Nation, where else!?