This is a set of simplified rules to get the game started. For detailed rules and regulations, please visit the International Floorball Federation.
Game time
The game time can vary depending on the age of players and the level of the match. The officialgame time is 3 x 20 minutes effective time. For recreational games and for younger playersother game times can be used, for example 2 x 15 minutes.
Gameplay rules
- Stick interference: Players cannot lift, slash, hold or otherwise impede an opposing player’s stick. This is an infraction that results in a free shotfor the other team.
- High Stick: Players cannot make contact with the ball using their stick above average knee level. Players cannot raise their sticks above waist level at any time, including on the backswing or follow-through of a shot. This is an infraction that results in a free shot for the other team.
- Hands: Players cannot use their hands to play or touch the ball, with the exception of the goalie within the goal crease. This is an infraction that results in a free shot for the other team.
- Feet: Players can use their feet once to either pass to another player or kick the ball onto their own stick.
- Head: Players cannot play the ball with their head. This is an infraction that results in a free shot for the other team.
- Jumping: Players cannot jump to play the ball. One foot must be on the ground when touching the ball. This is an infraction that results in a free shot for the other team.
- Playing from the ground: Players cannot go down on a knee to make plays or block shots; only goalies may play from their knees. This is an infraction that results in a free shot for the other team.
- Playing your stick between another player’s legs: Not allowed. This is an infraction that results in a free shot for the other team.
- Illegal distance: Defensive players (or their sticks) cannot be within 7 feet (2 meters) of the ball on a free shot.
- Body contact: Only incidental shoulder contact (like soccer) is allowed. Tackling is not allowed. Players cannot hold opposing players, or their jerseys, or interfere with their movement. Minor infraction results in a free hit. Major infraction, such as a dangerous play, or repeated infractions result in a 2-minute penalty.
- Infraction in a scoring position: Playing without a goalkeeper this results in a penalty shootout from the midpoint of the court in an open goal. Playing with a goalkeeper the penalty taker must move the ball forward or sideways, but not backwards, before making the final shot.
- Crease violation, if playing with a goal keeper: Defensive players (or their sticks) cannot be inside the goalie crease (the inner crease). Defensive player playing the ball in the crease (penalty shot), defensive players not touching the ball or offensive players in the crease (free shot)
Organizing a game
This video will help you understand what you need to quickly get going when playing floorball. It will help you organizing your first game and getting the kids to fall in love with floorball.
See Also
Floorball in a nutshell