Quick answer
A child starting floorball needs only a few things: a correctly sized stick, indoor shoes with good grip, comfortable sports clothes, a water bottle and a bag. A ball or two for home is a useful extra. Check with your club about any protective gear required in your league or age group before you buy more. Stick length is the detail that matters most: with shoes on, the stick end should reach about to your child's navel or a few centimetres below.
Key takeaways
- Start with the basics. A stick, indoor shoes, sports clothes, water and a bag cover the first season.
- Choose stick length first, flex second. Too long is the most common mistake, and it makes control harder.
- Shoes need a grippy, non-marking sole. Ordinary trainers can work for the first sessions if the club allows it.
- Protective equipment depends on your league and age group. Ask the coach instead of guessing.
- A few balls and a smooth practice surface at home are the best extras, because they raise the number of touches.
- Label everything with your child's name. Hall changing rooms are full of identical bottles and bags.
What does a child need for the first training session?
Most clubs lend sticks and balls for the first few sessions, so there is no need to buy before your child knows they like the sport. What you should bring is simple: indoor shoes or clean sports shoes, comfortable clothes that allow free movement, and a filled water bottle. Hair ties, a small towel and a spare shirt help on warm days.
After a few sessions you will see what is worth buying. The table below lists the whole checklist, in the order I would buy things.
| Priority | Item | What to look for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stick | Length to the navel or a few cm below, soft flex for lighter children | Ask about club loans first |
| 2 | Indoor shoes | Non-marking sole, firm grip, room to grow without being loose | Replace when toes touch the end |
| 3 | Clothing | Breathable shirt, shorts or trousers, socks that stay up | Layers for cold halls |
| 4 | Water bottle and bag | Leak-proof, labelled with a name | Fruit or a sandwich for after training |
| 5 | Balls for home | Standard floorball balls (72 mm), a few at least | Better than only borrowing |
| 6 | Practice surface | Smooth floor tiles or a shooting pad | Protects floor and blade |
| 7 | Protective gear | Only what your league or club requires | Ask the coach |
How do you choose the right stick size?
Have your child stand upright in their indoor shoes with the stick next to them. The end of the stick should reach roughly to the navel, or a few centimetres below. A shorter stick gives more control for children who are learning, and a longer stick leads to a stooped posture and loose control. The maximum total stick length under IFF rules is 114 cm, and the blade hook may not exceed 30 mm, but most children use shorter sticks than the limit.
Flex is given in millimetres. A lower number means a stiffer shaft. Lighter and younger children do better with a softer shaft, because they can bend it with less force. Do not choose a stiff stick to "grow into". It will just make shooting harder.
Also let your child describe how they hold the stick: with the blade on the left or on the right side of the body. Describing it by side is clearer than talking about left or right hand. Many children try both for a while, and that is fine. See the stick size chart for kids for a quick reference. Better Floorball does not sell sticks, so we give general advice only.
What about shoes, clothing and protective gear?
Shoes. The floor in most halls is smooth and fast. A grippy sole stops slipping and protects knees and ankles. Look for a flexible, light shoe, and make sure there is a thumb's width of space at the front. Check whether your club asks for non-marking soles.
Clothing. Choose layers that wick sweat, and avoid anything that restricts movement. Shorts or light trousers work best. Socks matter more than people think; blisters end sessions early. If your club has a team shirt, ask when it is needed.
Protective gear. Rules differ between leagues, countries and age groups, so check what is required where your child plays. Do not buy extra protection based on guesses. If your child wears glasses, talk to the coach and an optician about sports options.
Which extras are worth buying for home?
The most valuable extras are the ones that increase touches. A child who handles the ball for 15 minutes a day gets much more practice than one who only plays at team sessions. Start with a few balls and a smooth surface.
- Balls. A pack such as the Floorball 50-Pack (€89) is overkill for a single player, but great for a family, a friend group or a coach. A handful is enough at the start.
- Surface. The Extreme Floorball Shooting Pad 120x60 cm (€59) gives a smooth shooting spot in the garage or garden. Floor tiles such as the Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79) cover about 0.9 m² for stickhandling.
- Control trainer. The Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer (€69) adds obstacles and challenges in a small space.
- Goal and net. When your child wants to shoot, the Extreme Floorball Goal (€149) and the Backstop Net (€129) make it safe.
Better Floorball is a Swedish brand. It sells its own products without middlemen to keep prices low, and everything is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability. The tiles and the stickhandling trainer are also Made in Europe. Browse the shooting pad collection and the balls collection for options. A step-by-step setup is in the parent's guide to home setups, and a budget table is in how much does floorball cost.
Coach Erik's tip: Do the "kitchen test" before you buy a stick. Stand your child in shoes, hold the stick upright and check the end against the navel. Then ask them to move the stick around the body with one hand. If the stick feels like a tree trunk, it is too long or too stiff. Most players I coach perform better with a slightly shorter stick than parents expect.
How do you check that the equipment fits every season?
Children grow fast. Make a quick check at the beginning of each season and again halfway through. Use the list below as a routine.
- Stick (2 minutes). Stand in shoes and check the length against the navel. Check the blade for cracks and the tape on the handle for wear.
- Shoes (2 minutes). Press the toe of the shoe. There should be about a thumb's width of space. Look at the sole for smoothness.
- Clothes (1 minute). Check that shirts and trousers do not restrict movement.
- Bag (1 minute). Remove old items, wash the water bottle, label everything.
If you have two children, label items clearly and decide who gets the hand-me-down stick. Check that second-hand sticks fit the new owner; the length must suit the smaller child, not just the brand.
Common mistakes
- Buying a stick to grow into. It reduces control and makes learning harder. Fix: buy for today's height and replace when needed.
- Choosing a stiff shaft. Light children cannot bend it. Fix: pick a softer flex for younger and lighter players.
- Wearing worn-out shoes. Slipping leads to injuries. Fix: check grip and fit every season.
- Buying protective gear before asking. Fix: ask the club what is required in your league and age group.
- No labels. Fix: write your child's name on bottles, bags and clothing.
- Skipping home practice tools. Fix: add a few balls and a smooth surface, which cost less than most sticks.
FAQ
What does a child need to start floorball?
A stick, indoor shoes with good grip, comfortable sports clothes, a water bottle and a bag. Most clubs lend sticks and balls for the first sessions, so you can wait to buy until your child likes it.
How long should a child's floorball stick be?
With shoes on, the end of the stick should reach roughly to the navel or a few centimetres below. The maximum length under IFF rules is 114 cm, but most children use shorter sticks. Choose a softer flex for lighter children.
Do children need special shoes for floorball?
Indoor shoes with a grippy, non-marking sole are best, because hall floors are smooth. Some clubs allow clean sports shoes for beginners. Check the fit and the sole condition each season.
Is protective equipment compulsory for children?
It depends on the league, country and age group. Ask the coach or club before buying any extras. Do not rely on general advice for a specific competition.
What is worth buying for practice at home?
A few balls and a smooth practice surface give the biggest return. Tiles, a shooting pad and a stickhandling trainer let your child practise in a small space. Add a goal and backstop net when they want to shoot.
How often should I replace my child's equipment?
Check fit at the start of each season and halfway through. Sticks and shoes may need replacing every one or two seasons as children grow. Replace anything with cracks, loose grips or worn soles sooner.
Summary
A child's floorball kit is simple: a correctly sized stick, indoor shoes, comfortable clothes and a water bottle, plus any protective gear your league requires. Choose length first and flex second, and add a few balls and a smooth surface for home practice. Check fit every season. For more parent guides visit the Floorball Parents hub. Follow us on Instagram @better_floorball for tips.
