Quick answer
The floorball backhand shot is taken with the back of the blade, so the ball is on your off side and you shoot without turning the blade over. It is slower to learn than the forehand shot, but its surprise value is high: goalkeepers and defenders watch the forehand side. Place the ball in front of your body, cup it with the back of the blade, move your weight forward and snap the wrists. Keep the stick below waist height.
Key takeaways
- The backhand shot gives you an extra option when a defender covers your forehand side.
- Use the back of the blade and keep the ball close to your body. Do not stretch for it.
- Weight transfer, a firm wrist and a low follow-through matter just as much as on the forehand shot.
- Expect less power at first. Accuracy and surprise matter more than speed.
- Practise the backhand in the same session as the forehand, with equal reps.
- Backswing below waist height, ball never above knee height.
Why learn the backhand shot?
Defenders and goalkeepers read the game from your blade. If you always shoot with the same side, they know where to stand. The backhand shot gives you a second weapon: when a defender closes your forehand lane, you can shoot with the back of the blade without changing grip, and the goalkeeper often reacts late.
The idea is to describe sides by where the blade is on your body. Say the blade sits on your left side. The forehand side is the side where the blade face meets the ball naturally, and the backhand uses the other face. Most players I coach are comfortable only on one side, and ten minutes of backhand work every session closes the gap within a couple of months.
How do you take a backhand shot step by step?
1. Open your stance
Stand with your knees bent, your hands 30–40 cm apart and your body facing the goal slightly more than for a forehand shot. The ball is in front of your body, on the backhand side of the blade.
2. Cup the ball
Turn the blade so the back face covers the ball. The ball sits close to you and in the middle of the blade. Keep the blade low, touching the floor.
3. Load
Press the blade slightly into the floor and move the ball a short way back and to the side. The shaft bends a little.
4. Push and snap
Push the ball forward with the back of the blade, transfer your weight to your front foot and snap your wrists at the end. Your top hand pulls toward your hip.
5. Follow through
Point the blade at the target and stay low. If the ball flies upward, the blade opened too much; if it dribbles, the snap was too soft.
When does the backhand shot work best?
| Situation | Why the backhand works | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Defender blocks the forehand lane | Ball is on the other side of your body | Low corner on the open side |
| Rebound in front of the goal | No time to move the ball to the forehand | Low, quickly |
| Close to the goal after a dribble | Goalkeeper expects a forehand shot | Near post or far corner |
| Pass arrives on the backhand side | Save a touch | Short, quick, low |
| Behind the goal line, wraparound | Natural angle | Open side of the goal |
Backhand shots are not for long distance. A shorter motion makes them accurate, and they score best from the slot and close to the goal.
What gear helps you practise it?
A backhand shot needs a smooth surface so you can feel the ball on the back of the blade, and it needs a lot of repetition. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand with its own products, designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
| Product | Price | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer | €69 | Backhand ball control in a small space |
| Extreme Floorball Tiles 15-Pack (1.6 m²) | €139 | Smooth surface for backhand shots |
| Extreme Floorball Shooting Pad 120x60 cm | €59 | Portable shooting surface |
| Extreme Floorball Goal | €149 | Full-size goal |
| Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (set of 3) | €34 | Corner targets for placement |
The stickhandling trainer, the tiles and the target set are Made in Europe. See the shooting collection for kits that include a goal.
Coach Erik's tip: Spend the first three minutes of every shooting session on the backhand only. Doing it when you are fresh teaches the right feel. If you leave it to the end of the session, you will rush it with tired hands and keep your bad habits.
Which drills build a backhand shot?
- Backhand control (4 minutes). Move the ball left and right with the back of the blade, 3 sets of 30 seconds. Cue: ball close to the body, head up.
- Backhand push (6 minutes). From 3 m, push the ball into the goal with the back of the blade. 4 sets of 8 shots. Cue: weight on the front foot at the end.
- Backhand snap (8 minutes). From 4 m, shoot at the corners. 3 sets of 10. Count hits. Watch for: lifting the ball.
- Dribble to backhand (6 minutes). Dribble on the forehand, switch the ball to the back of the blade, shoot. 4 sets of 6. Cue: one smooth change.
- Rebound backhand (6 minutes). Shoot, then react to the rebound with a backhand. 4 sets of 5.
Train the control that makes it possible in backhand ball control, and pair it with the wrist shot step by step.
Which extra drill builds a backhand shot quickly?
Backhand ladder (10 minutes)
- Place a marker 3 m from the goal and shoot 10 backhand shots, aiming low to the far corner.
- Move back to 4 m and shoot 10 more.
- Move back to 5 m and shoot 10 more.
- Count your hits on target for each distance and repeat the ladder, trying to hit one more at each distance.
Cue: cup the ball, push the blade forward and snap the wrist at the end. Watch for: lifting the ball above knee height; the shot should stay low. If your accuracy falls at 5 m, stay at 4 m for a week before moving back.
Common mistakes
- Reaching for the ball. Fix: keep it close to your body, in front of your feet.
- Lifting the ball. Fix: keep the blade low and finish low.
- Weak wrists. Fix: add a few wrist and forearm exercises on rest days.
- Using the backhand from long distance. Fix: save it for the slot and short range.
- Ignoring the backhand in practice. Fix: give it equal reps.
- High follow-through. Fix: keep the stick below waist height.
FAQ
What is a backhand shot in floorball?
A backhand shot is taken with the back face of the blade, so the ball is on your off side. It is less common than the forehand shot, which makes it a good surprise option.
When should I use a backhand shot?
Use it when a defender blocks your forehand lane, on rebounds in front of the goal, or when a pass arrives on your backhand side. It works best from short range.
Why is my backhand shot weak?
Usually because the ball is too far from your body, your weight stays on the back foot or your wrists do not snap. Keep the ball close, step forward and finish with a firm snap.
How do I keep a backhand shot low?
Keep the blade on the floor through the movement and finish with the blade pointing at the target. Lifting the blade makes the ball rise.
Can I practise the backhand shot at home?
Yes. A smooth surface, a goal and some targets are enough. A stickhandling trainer also helps with backhand ball control in a small space.
How often should I practise the backhand?
Spend 5–10 minutes of each shooting session on it. Regular short practice works better than one long session.
Summary
The backhand shot is a surprise weapon that costs little to learn: ten minutes at the start of every session. Keep the ball close, use a firm snap, transfer your weight and finish low. See more in the Floorball Shooting hub.
