Quick answer
A one-timer (direktskott in Swedish) is a shot taken directly on a pass without stopping the ball first. To score with it, get into position early, show your teammate where you want the ball, keep the blade low and meet the ball with a short, firm swing, with weight moving onto the front foot. Aim low, keep the backswing below waist height and never play the ball above knee height. You can practise one-timers alone with a passer that returns the ball.
Key takeaways
- A one-timer saves one touch, which often means saving the half second you need to beat the goalkeeper.
- Timing matters more than power: the ball is already moving, so a firm, well-timed contact is enough.
- Ask for the pass in the right place. A pass that arrives in front of your front foot is easiest to hit.
- Backswing below waist height, ball below knee height, always.
- Practise on both sides, so you can shoot from either wing.
- A passer lets you take hundreds of one-timers without a partner.
What is a one-timer and when does it work?
With a normal shot you receive the ball, control it and then shoot. A one-timer skips the control step. The pass arrives, you hit it directly, and the goalkeeper and defenders have much less time to adjust. It works best when the passer and the shooter have read each other: a cross pass (across the width of the court) toward the far post, a pass from behind the goal to a player in the slot, or a pass along the boards to a player arriving at speed.
The ball in floorball is light (about 23 g) and has 26 holes. That means it reacts quickly to a pass or a hit, and a pass that arrives with spin or a bounce is hard to hit cleanly. Teach teammates to pass flat and on the floor.
How do you hit a one-timer step by step?
1. Get open and show the blade
Move into a gap before the pass, with your blade on the floor and your free hand away from your body so the passer sees your target. Eyes up, knees bent.
2. Read the ball
Watch the ball into the area of your blade. If the pass is slow, take one step toward it. If it is fast, stay still and let it arrive.
3. Short backswing
Take the blade back only 30–50 cm, always below waist height. A long swing is hard to time and breaks the rule on high sticks.
4. Meet the ball
Hit the ball with a firm, flat blade, as it passes in front of your front foot. Your weight moves from back foot to front foot as the blade makes contact. The top hand holds the shaft steady while the bottom hand drives.
5. Follow through
Point the blade at your target and stay low. Do not stop the stick on the ball; the follow-through gives accuracy.
Which pass angles are easiest to hit?
Not all passes are equal. Use the table to set up drills and to talk with your teammates.
| Pass | Where the ball arrives | Difficulty | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight in front | On the floor, about 50 cm in front of the blade | Easy | Start here |
| From the side, slow | At your front foot | Medium | Step toward the ball |
| From the side, hard | Fast, flat | Hard | Short backswing, stay balanced |
| Volley pass (bouncing) | Bounces once before the blade | Hardest | Wait until the ball is on the floor and below knee height |
| From behind the shooter | Across the body | Medium | Open your hips toward the goal |
How can you practise one-timers alone?
The biggest problem with practising one-timers is that you need a partner who passes. A passer solves that. The Extreme Floorball Passer returns your pass with a rebound, so you can hit a one-timer on the return. The Passer Pro has two passing slots, which let you practise both regular straight passes and volley passes without a training partner. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand with its own products and no middlemen. The gear is designed in Sweden and tested for maximum durability.
| Product | Price | Role in one-timer practice |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Floorball Passer | €129 | Straight and volley passes, rebounds for one-timers |
| Extreme Floorball Passer Pro | €149 | Two slots, more variation |
| Extreme Floorball Tiles 15-Pack (1.6 m²) | €139 | Smooth surface, so the rebound runs true |
| Extreme Floorball Goal | €149 | Something to shoot at |
| Extreme Backstop Net 5x2,5 m | €129 | Stops fast one-timers that miss |
The passer, the Passer Pro and the tiles are Made in Europe. For a complete bundle, the Extreme Floorball Passing Kit Tiles (€239) is built around the passer and tiles, and you can also browse the passing and stickhandling collection.
Coach Erik's tip: Start with one-timers at half speed and hit the ball in the middle of the blade. Only after 20 clean reps in a row should you add power. A clean, low one-timer at 70 percent beats a hard one that hits the post or the roof of the net.
Which drills build a good one-timer?
- Static feed (6 minutes). A partner (or a passer) feeds the ball flat. You hit it with a short swing. 4 sets of 8 per side. Cue: eyes on the ball until contact.
- Move-and-hit (8 minutes). Start 2 m away from the shooting position. Move into position as the pass comes and hit. 4 sets of 6. Cue: arrive early, then wait.
- Solo passer rounds (8 minutes). Pass to the passer, step into position and hit the return. 5 sets of 6. Watch for: stepping away from the ball.
- Corner one-timers (8 minutes). Targets in the low corners. 3 sets of 10, count hits. Cue: choose the corner before the pass arrives.
- Pass and screen (6 minutes). Practise with a teammate standing in front of the goal as a screen. 4 sets of 5. Cue: keep the shot low.
When you want the follow-up, see receive and shoot in one motion, and for the basics, snap shot technique for floorball.
Common mistakes
- Swinging too big. The timing falls apart. Fix: shorten the backswing to 30–50 cm.
- Standing still and waiting. Fix: move into the passing lane early, then settle.
- Hitting the ball too high. Fix: stay low and remember the ball may not be played above knee height.
- Watching the goal instead of the ball. Fix: eyes on the ball until contact, a quick glance at the goal before the pass arrives.
- Always asking for the pass in the same spot. Fix: vary your position so the goalkeeper cannot predict you.
- Poor passes. Fix: teach teammates to pass flat and on the floor, aiming at the blade.
FAQ
What is a one-timer in floorball?
A one-timer (direktskott in Swedish) is a shot taken directly from a pass, without stopping or controlling the ball first. It saves a touch, so the goalkeeper has less time to prepare.
Is a one-timer harder than a normal shot?
Yes, because timing matters more. The ball is already moving, so you need a short, well-timed swing and a firm blade. Start with slow, flat passes and build up gradually.
How high can the ball be for a one-timer?
The ball may not be played above knee height with the stick, and the backswing and follow-through must stay below waist height. Aim to hit the ball on the floor.
Can I practise one-timers alone?
Yes. A passer that rebounds your pass gives you a ball to hit without a partner. The Extreme Floorball Passer handles straight and volley passes, and the Passer Pro has two slots.
Where should I aim a one-timer?
Aim low, toward the corners, because there is little time to adjust. Choose the corner before the pass arrives.
What is the best backswing length for a one-timer?
Short, about 30–50 cm, and always below waist height. A longer swing is harder to time and risks penalties.
Summary
A one-timer saves the half second that decides many goals. Move into position early, keep the backswing short and below waist height, meet the ball with a firm blade and follow through toward the corner. With a passer, a goal and a smooth surface, you can take hundreds of one-timers a week alone. Find more in the Floorball Shooting hub.
