Quick answer
Reaction training in floorball means getting faster at seeing a cue, deciding and moving. You improve it with drills that include an unpredictable signal: a dropped ball, a partner's call, a colour or a moving target. Keep each rep short and sharp, rest between reps, and mix skills (for example reacting then shooting). Outfield players and goalkeepers both benefit, 10–15 minutes at a time, two or three times a week.
Key takeaways
- Reaction speed is a mix of seeing, deciding and moving. You can train all three parts.
- Use unpredictable cues, such as a partner's call, a ball drop or a target that lights up.
- Short bursts of 5–10 seconds with full rest keep the quality high.
- Scanning (looking around before you receive) makes your reactions faster in games.
- Goalkeepers need their own drills, but outfield players can use the same ideas with a stick and ball.
- Fatigue slows reactions, so do these drills when you are fresh.
What is reaction training in floorball?
In a game, reactions are everywhere: a loose rebound in front of the goal, a pass that arrives faster than you expected, a defender who steps into your lane. The player who sees it a moment earlier and starts moving first often wins the ball. Most players I coach think reaction speed is a gift you are born with. It is partly genetic, but a large part is training and experience. You learn to spot the right cues, decide quickly and move without hesitating.
| Stage | Question the player answers | How to train it |
|---|---|---|
| See | What is happening around me? | Scan before receiving, watch the ball and the opponent's hips |
| Decide | What should I do? | Unpredictable cues with two or three possible responses |
| Move | How fast can I start? | Low ready stance, short first steps |
| Execute | Can I do the skill under time pressure? | React-then-shoot or react-then-pass sequences |
This also ties into game understanding. Read our guides on floorball game understanding and passing and scanning for the "see" part.
Which reaction drills work for outfield players?
You only need a ball, your stick and, ideally, a partner. Keep your stance low and your stick ready, and rest 20–30 seconds between reps.
- Ball drop catch. A partner holds a ball at shoulder height and drops it without warning. React and play it before it bounces twice, or catch it with your free hand. 3 sets of 8 drops. Cue: eyes on the partner's hand, not the floor. Watch for: leaning back.
- Colour call. Place two or three coloured markers 3 m away. A partner calls a colour at random; sprint, touch the marker and return. 6 reps. Cue: first step in the right direction.
- Mirror stickhandling. Face a partner and copy their stick moves with your own, from 2 m. 6 rounds of 20 seconds. Cue: watch their shoulders and hips.
- React and shoot. The partner rolls a ball into the zone at random timing; you step in and shoot it first time. 10 reps from each side. Cue: be ready, knees bent, blade on the floor.
- Rebound reaction. Pass the ball to a rebounder, then react to the angle it comes back at. 4 rounds of 30 seconds. The Extreme Floorball Passer Pro (€149) has two passing slots, so the ball returns from different angles, which creates unpredictable returns. It is Made in Europe, and the brand is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
How can smart targets help reaction training?
Technology can make reaction work easier to measure and more fun. The Xtreme Shooting Targets 4-Pack (€379.95) is a Swedish-designed smart target system for standard floorball goals. You attach the targets to a goal and connect them to the XDT Training App, which records your shots and gives feedback on accuracy, shot speed and reaction. That gives you a number to beat and a clear goal for each session. Start by learning the basics of shooting at a fixed target, then use the reaction features when your technique is stable. See smart floorball shooting targets for a closer look.
If you prefer a simpler, lower-cost option, the Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (€34) set of three attaches to a full-size goal in about 10 seconds. A partner can call "left", "right" or "top" at random, and you shoot at the called target as fast as you can. They are Made in Europe.
What can goalkeepers do to improve reactions?
Goalkeepers play without a stick, so their reactions rely on hands, feet and body. Try these:
- Two-ball catch. A partner throws two balls at different heights from 4–5 m. Catch or block both. 5 sets of 6 throws.
- Wall bounce. Throw a ball against a wall at an angle and react to the rebound. 4 rounds of 30 seconds.
- Shooter cue. Stand in the goal while a partner shoots from random positions. Focus on watching the ball and the blade. 3 rounds of 8 shots.
An Extreme Floorball Goalie (€129.95) target turns a full-size goal into a realistic partner for the shooter. Goalkeeper-specific ideas are in floorball goalkeeper drills.
Coach Erik's tip: Make the cue unpredictable. If your partner always drops the ball after a count of three, you learn to react to the count, not the ball. Vary the timing between 1 and 5 seconds, and use a clap or call from behind for extra challenge.
How should you structure a reaction training week?
| Level | Session length | Per week | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 10 min | 2 | Ball drop catch, colour call, 3 sets each |
| Intermediate | 12–15 min | 2–3 | Add mirror stickhandling and react-and-shoot |
| Advanced | 15 min | 3 | Add rebound reaction and target calls, then game-like pressure |
Finish with a small-sided game, for example 2 vs 2 in a small area, where quick reactions matter. See small-sided games for ideas.
Common mistakes
- Predictable cues. Fix: vary the timing and signal so that you react to the cue, not the rhythm.
- Training when tired. Fix: do reaction work early in the session with full rests.
- Standing upright. Fix: stay in a low, ready stance with your weight on the balls of your feet.
- Looking at the floor. Fix: keep your head up and watch the cue.
- Only repeating the same drill. Fix: rotate between ball, sound and visual cues to keep the brain challenged.
FAQ
How can I improve my reaction time in floorball?
Use drills with unpredictable cues such as ball drops, partner calls and random target calls, keep reps short and take full rests. Stay in a low ready stance and scan before the ball arrives.
Can reaction speed be trained?
Yes, to a large extent. Part of reaction speed is natural, but seeing the right cues, deciding quickly and starting to move without hesitation are all skills you can improve with practice.
What reaction drills can I do alone?
Throw a ball against a wall at an angle and react to the rebound, use a rebounder with two slots to vary the return angle, or use shooting targets that give random cues. A partner is still helpful for calls and ball drops.
How do goalkeepers train reactions in floorball?
With two-ball catches, wall bounces and shooters who vary position and timing. Goalkeepers should focus on watching the ball and the blade and keeping a low ready stance.
How often should I do reaction training?
Two or three sessions of 10–15 minutes per week are enough. Do them when you are fresh, with short reps and full rest between them.
What are the XDT smart targets?
The Xtreme Shooting Targets 4-Pack is a Swedish-designed smart target system that attaches to a standard floorball goal and connects to the XDT Training App. The app records your shots and gives feedback on accuracy, shot speed and reaction.
Summary
Reaction speed grows when you practise seeing, deciding and moving under unpredictable cues. Use ball drops, partner calls, rebounders and targets, keep reps short, and finish with small-sided games. See more in the Floorball Fitness hub and try the hand-eye coordination drills next. Follow us on Instagram @better_floorball for weekly drills.
