Quick answer
A child can become a floorball goalkeeper by learning five basics: a balanced ready stance, reading the shooter, moving with side steps, making the first save with the body, and calmly getting rid of the ball afterwards. The goalkeeper plays without a stick, so the job is about positioning, courage and quick reactions rather than blade skills. Start with soft, slow shots at a regulation goal (160 x 115 cm), add proper protective gear, and keep sessions short and fun.
Key takeaways
- The goalkeeper has no stick, so training is about stance, footwork, hands and reading the game.
- Courage comes from success: begin with slow, predictable shots and build speed over several weeks.
- Good protective gear is not optional. A child who is afraid of the ball will never relax enough to improve.
- Short sessions of 10–15 minutes of focused goalie work are enough for beginners.
- Let kids try the position in a rotation. Some of the best goalkeepers I have coached started as outfield players who volunteered once.
- Praise good positioning and effort, not only saves.
Is floorball goalkeeper a good position for my child?
Goalkeeper suits children who like being involved in every attack, enjoy the one-against-one duel with a shooter, and do not mind that the position is different from everyone else on the plan. It is not a punishment position, and it should never be given to the player who is "not good enough" in the field. In a team of five outfield players and one goalkeeper, the keeper sees the whole game and talks to the defenders, which is great for game understanding.
Most kids I coach are curious about goalkeeping for about ten minutes and then want to shoot again. That is fine. Offer it as a rotating role in small-sided games, and the children who truly want it will keep coming back. Once your child says "can I go in goal again?", you have your answer.
What gear does a young goalkeeper need?
Protection is what makes a child confident. Check with your club or league what is required for your age group, because rules for helmets and padding vary between countries and age levels. As a general guide:
| Item | Purpose | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper mask or helmet | Protects face and head from shots | Approved by your federation, snug fit, does not slide when the head moves |
| Padded goalkeeper trousers and top | Protects hips, thighs, ribs and arms | Room to move; not so big that the child cannot get up quickly |
| Knee protection | Used when going down on the floor | Stays in place when sliding |
| Indoor shoes with good grip | Stable side steps on hall floors | Flat, grippy sole |
| Gloves (optional for beginners) | Comfort when catching | Do not restrict finger movement |
The goalkeeper is the only player without a stick, so the hands, arms and body all do the work. That is why the first lessons should be slow and gentle. I would rather see a child stop ten easy shots with a big smile than face one hard shot and never come back.
What are the five basics every young goalkeeper should learn?
1. The ready stance
Feet about shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, weight on the balls of the feet, hands in front of the body at hip height, eyes on the ball. Imagine you are about to jump. A goalkeeper standing tall and flat-footed is slow in every direction.
2. Positioning in the goal
The goal is 160 cm wide and 115 cm high, which is big for a small child. Teach them to stand in the middle of the goal mouth and move slightly toward the ball side as the shooter gets closer. A good simple cue: "Keep your nose in line with the ball." You can mark the centre of the goal with a piece of tape on the floor.
3. Side steps, not crossing feet
Moving sideways with small, quick steps keeps the body square to the shooter. Crossing the feet makes the child unbalanced and slow. Practise by shuffling between two cones placed a goal-width apart.
4. Making the save
Beginners should aim to get the body behind the ball. Hands and arms help, but a save with the chest or legs counts just as much. The classic mistake is flinching and turning the head away. Slow shots help the child learn to keep their eyes open.
5. After the save
Many goals are scored on the rebound, so the next job is to control the ball or direct it to the side, away from the danger area. Then the goalkeeper looks up and passes or throws to a free teammate. A quick, calm restart is a real weapon for counter-attacks.
Coach Erik's tip: Do not start with shots at the child. Start with the child rolling the ball to you, then to a teammate, then receiving a soft shot. Each step gives a small win, and confidence is what a young goalkeeper needs more than anything.
Which drills build a goalkeeper step by step?
- Mirror footwork (3 minutes). Stand 2 m in front of your child. Move left and right slowly; the child copies with side steps. Increase speed when the form is clean. Cue: "Small steps, knees bent."
- Roll and stop (4 minutes). Roll 10 balls along the floor to each side of the goal. The child moves the feet first, then stops the ball with the hands or body. Watch for: eyes leaving the ball.
- Soft shot series (5 minutes). From 4 m, a teammate takes 10 gentle wrist shots from the centre, then 10 from the left, then 10 from the right. Count saves, but also reward the child for good stance and positioning.
- Rebound reaction (4 minutes). After each save the shooter takes a second shot at an open corner. The goalkeeper recovers to the ready stance quickly.
- Restart game (5 minutes). After a save the goalkeeper passes to one of two marked teammates. The goalkeeper decides who is free. This teaches heads-up play.
How fast should the progression be?
| Stage | Distance | Shot type | Goal for the child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 4–5 m | Rolled balls and very soft shots | Stance, footwork, eyes on the ball |
| Weeks 3–4 | 4 m | Soft wrist shots to both sides | Body behind the ball, calm rebound |
| Weeks 5–6 | 3–4 m | Shots from different angles | Positioning when the shooter moves |
| Week 7 onward | Various | Small-sided games, medium-speed shots | Communication and decision-making |
This is a guide, not a rule. Some children progress in two weeks and some need three months. If your child shows fear, go one stage back and make it a game again.
How can you train goalkeeping at home?
Parents often ask what is worth buying. You do not need much. A regulation goal is helpful, such as the Extreme Floorball Goal (€149), which is the official 115 x 160 cm size and folds for storage. Add a backstop net such as the Extreme Backstop Net 5x2,5 m (€129) so missed shots do not roam the street or break a window.
If an older sibling or friend wants to practise shooting, the Extreme Floorball Goalie (€129.95) is a goalie target for a full-size goal, so the shooter has something to aim around when no keeper is available. The Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (€34) are a set of three targets that fit full-size goals, which is a cheap way to make shooting practice more fun. The targets are Made in Europe, and all Better Floorball products are designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand that sells without middlemen, which helps keep prices low.
Check our guide to getting started with floorball for kids and the coach's version, goalkeeper drills, when you want to go further.
Common mistakes
- Putting the weakest player in goal. Fix: let everyone try the position in rotation and let volunteers keep it.
- Starting with hard shots. Fix: begin with rolled balls and build speed over weeks.
- Standing upright and passive. Fix: practise the ready stance until it is automatic, with the weight forward.
- Looking away on a shot. Fix: use slow shots and a cue like "watch the ball into your body".
- Ignoring the rebound. Fix: add a second shot to every drill so the keeper learns to recover.
- Criticising goals conceded. Fix: talk about positioning and decisions. Goals happen to every goalkeeper.
FAQ
Does a floorball goalkeeper use a stick?
No. The goalkeeper plays without a stick and uses hands, arms and body to stop the ball. Only outfield players carry sticks.
At what age can a child start as goalkeeper?
Many children try goalkeeping in their first years of club floorball, often in a rotation during games. There is no magic age; what matters is that the child wants to try it and has gear that fits and is approved for their league.
How do I help my child overcome fear of the ball?
Go back to rolled balls and very soft shots, make sure the protective gear fits well, and celebrate small wins like keeping eyes open. Fear usually fades when the child sees they can handle slow shots first.
How big is the goal?
The official goal is 160 cm wide and 115 cm high. Younger age groups may use other sizes in club play, so ask your coach what is used for your child's age group.
How long should a goalkeeper session be?
For beginners, 10–15 minutes of focused goalie work inside a normal practice is enough. Short and fun beats long and tiring.
Should my child specialise as a goalkeeper early?
I would let children play both goalkeeper and outfield roles for as long as possible. Outfield play builds general ball skills and game understanding that make better goalkeepers later.
Summary
Goalkeeping is a position for brave, curious kids, and the way to build that courage is progression: stance, footwork, soft shots, then game situations. Provide good gear, keep it playful and praise effort. For more advice for young players and parents, browse our youth floorball hub. Follow us on Instagram @better_floorball for more training ideas.
