Floorball facts for kids
Floorball is an exciting indoor team sport. It's a lot like hockey, but it's played indoors with light plastic balls and special sticks. You usually play floorball in a gym.
In a floorball game, each team has five players with sticks and one goalkeeper. The goalkeeper doesn't use a stick. They wear a special jersey and a helmet for safety. Floorball is very popular today. It was even planned to be part of the Summer Olympic Games in 2020.
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Where Did Floorball Start?
Floorball was first invented in the USA. However, it became most popular in Sweden during the 1970s. From Sweden, its popularity quickly spread to Finland and Switzerland. But, the rules were a bit different in each country. For example, in Switzerland, goalkeepers were allowed to use a stick.
To make the rules the same everywhere, the International Floorball Federation (IFF) was created in 1986. Now, all official floorball games follow the same rules.
How is Floorball Played?
Floorball games happen in a gym on a playing area that is 40 meters long and 20 meters wide. The playing area is surrounded by boards that are 50 centimeters high.
The way teams set up their players is very similar to ice hockey. Each team plays with three attackers, two defenders, and a goalkeeper. Players can switch in and out of the game whenever they want.
A men's floorball game usually has three periods, each lasting 20 minutes. There are 15-minute breaks between the periods. For junior matches, the game times might be different.
Rules and Fouls
Floorball is a contact sport, which means players can use their bodies to play. However, there are limits to this contact. Players are not allowed to hit the ball with their hands or head. They also cannot jump to hit the ball.
The goalkeeper has special rules. They can hit the ball with any part of their body. They can also hold the ball for up to 3 seconds.
If a player breaks the rules, they can be sent off the field for 2 minutes. This is called a 2-minute penalty.
Top Floorball Countries
The country with the most registered floorball players is Sweden. Finland comes in second place, and the Czech Republic is third. These countries have very strong floorball teams.
World Championships
The International Floorball Federation (IFF) organizes world championships for floorball. These exciting tournaments happen every year in a different country.
Images for kids
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Mika Kohonen, a Finnish floorball player, has won the world championship four times. He was voted the best floorball player in the world in 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.
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A floorball stick blade, designed for a player who uses their left side.
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See also
In Spanish: Floorball para niños
