nd 2 Term: Unit 4 UNIT 4 - FLOORBALL 1.- THE ROOTS OF FLOORBALL: Floorball was originally developed in Sweden where the game has been played since the mid 70s. This new game has its roots all over the world because similar th games to floorball have been played throughout the 19 century. For example, in Northern America and England floor hockey was created from ice hockey and in Australia popular field hockey turned into indoor hockey. The roots of floorball can be found in many different forms of games, but it wasn’t until the th Swedes established the first official national Floorball federation on the 7 of November 1981 in Sala, Sweden. When the first official rulebook saw daylight in September 1983, and defined that a special rink surrounding the game area was to be used, modern floorball took its first steps towards becoming an organized sport. Back then, floorball was very different to what we now know, but it laid the foundations for the intercontinental growth of a new and exciting team sport that fascinates people throughout all cultures. The official version of the game is as an indoor team sport. 2.- FIELD: Floorball can be played almost anywhere, but wooden and plastic matting surfaces suit the game best. The field is as big as the fields used to play handball and futsal. Recommended size of the field is 20 metres wide by 40 metres long and it has to be surrounded by a barrier called rink, with rounded corners. Floorball can be played with minor modifications to these rules. 3.- TEAM: The game is played with 5 field players and a goalie or goalkeeper on each of the opposing teams, depending on the court size. During the match, each team shall have at least 4 players and a properly equipped goalkeeper. The amount of the players on the field can vary during the game because of penalties. A team can consist of up to 20 field players and a couple of goalies. Floorball is a great game for mixed teams and children, though when played at the international level the game can become very physical and more tactical. nd 2 Term: Unit 4 4.- EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES: Floorball is easy to start because it doesn't require much equipment. You only need a stick, ball, and shoes; and of course clothes fit for exercise. 4.1. GOALS AND RINK: The goal is sized 115cm (h) x 160cm (w) x 60cm (d). It is made from pipe shaped material and painted red. The goal is also furnished with a net. The rink shall be 40m by 20m, made of plastic or wooden materials and enclosed by boards, 50cm in height with rounded corners. 4.2. THE STICK AND THE BALL: are light and easy to handle which makes it easy to learn. The stick parts are the handle and the blade. 4.3. GOALIE EQUIPMENT: Goalie equipment consists of long pants, long-sleeved shirt, a mask/helmet, gloves and shoes. It is also recommended to use special protective padding on your knees and groin area. The goalkeeper is not allowed to use a stick. 5.- GAME FOR SKILLED PLAYERS: Like other team games, floorball requires the use of various skills and abilities. Important abilities are all the physical ones, motor skills, mental capacity, game understanding and social skills. The main physical ability is speed with different forms of motor skills combining to produce stick handling skills. In order to understand team play, the player needs to have a good understanding about team tactics and the difference in roles. The qualities of a good player are: Motor skill. Agility. Speed. Ball control. Endurance. Passing skills. Strength. Mental capacity. nd 2 Term: Unit 4 The different roles in game play are: Playing with a ball. Defending a player with a ball. Supporting a team member with a ball. Defending a player without a ball. 6.- BASIC SKILLS TO FLOORBALL: Here is some information about the basic skills and techniques of floorball. Little by little these skills become an integral part of the basic skills if trained properly and sufficiently. PASSING - Keep the ball close to the blade. - After the pass the blade should point to the direction of the pass. - Keep a balanced stance. - Keep your head up all the time to see the field. - With a straight blade the passing is easier and more precise. RECEIVING THE PASS - Blade on the floor - Balanced stance - Keep your head up all the time to see the field - Try to touch the ball as smoothly as you can with soft and flexible hands. SHOOTING - Wrist shot: the ball touches the blade all the time. - Slap shot: the blade touches the floor just before it hits the ball. - Keep your head up. PROTECTING THE BALL - Player has a balanced stance. - Use the body, feet and hands to protect the ball. - The blade should cover the opponents’ side of the ball. - Good control of the ball. RUNNING WITH A BALL - The ball touches the blade all the time. - Light touch, not hitting. - Be ready to pass from backhand and forehand. - Protect the ball. nd 2 Term: Unit 4 FAKING - Develop ball handling skills as well as you can. - Develop speed and body control. - Do the fake in time. - Try to move the defender in the direction you want. 7.- FIXED SITUATIONS: When play has been interrupted, it shall be resumed with fixed situation, according to what caused the interruption. These situations are: Face-off: A face-off can go directly into goal and it will occur in the following situations: o At the start of a new period and to confirm a correctly scored goal. o The ball is unintentionally stuck or damaged or cannot be played correctly. o A serious injury occurs. o Any injury that directly affects play occurs. o The referee is unable to determine which team committed a foul in a face-off or free play, or an illegal action is simultaneously committed by both players involved. Opening face-off: To start the game, the ball is placed on the point in the center point of the field. At the referee’s signal, one player from each team tries to get the ball. Each player starts facing the other team’s side of the playing field, placing their feet perpendicular to the central line at the same distance. The sticks will be held with a normal grip and the blades will be placed on each side of the ball (without touching it) and perpendicular to the center line. The player from the visiting team decides on which side of the ball to place the stick. The face-off can go directly to the goal. Each team will remain on its own side of the field. All players, except the two participating directly in the face-off, will stand at a distance of no less than 3 meters from the center line, sticks included. Hit-in: It is played when the ball leaves the rink and it shall be awarded to the non-offending team. A hit-in shall be taken from where the ball leaves the rink, 1.5 m. from the board. A hit-in may go directly into goal. Free-hit: When an offence leads to a free-hit, it shall be awarded to the non-offending team. The free- hit shall be taken where the offence was committed. A free-hit may go directly into goal. It is given when: a field player is in the goalkeeper area, playing the ball with hand or nd 2 Term: Unit 4 head, hits, blocks, lifts, kicks an opponent’s stick, when a field player is in the goalkeeper area, wrong distance in free shot, when a goalkeeper receives a pass, or takes the ball, from a field player in the same team Penalty shot: The penalty shot shall be taken from the center spot. A penalty shot is given if the foul is committed when the other player is trying to score from close to the goal beforehand, the player has a better starting point for success in the same kind of situation in game lay. 8.- RULES OF FLOORBALL AND FOULS: 1) Teams consist of a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 20 players. 2) Game is played with effective game time 3 periods of 20 min, with two 10’ intermissions. It is possible an exemption for shorter game time (2 x 15’). 3) The goal size is 115cm by 160cm and in front of there is a crease (2.5m by 1m) where only the goalie can be, an exception is can be the ball being played from there by a field player with a stick. 4) The goalie area is 4m by 5m and this is the area the goalie normally plays. 5) The goalie must not hold the ball for more than 3 seconds and when throwing the ball, it must hit the floor before passing the center line. 6) If the ball goes out of the rink the other team can continue play 1.5 m. away from the spot the ball went out. If the ball goes out from the end the other team continues from the corner spot (hit-in). 7) When given a free hit the opponent must be at least 3 meters away from the ball including sticks. 8) You can hit or direct the ball with both sides of the stick. 9) The ball may be kicked, but not more than once and not to a teammate. 10) The ball must not be played with the hands or head.