Quick answer
A floorball stick is the right length when its upper end reaches roughly to your child's navel while standing in shoes, or a few centimetres below. For a child of 130 cm that means a stick of about 72–78 cm, and for 150 cm about 84–90 cm. Shorter is better for beginners because it keeps the ball close and the stickhandling in control. The IFF maximum of 114 cm is only relevant for adults.
Key takeaways
- Measure your child standing in normal indoor shoes, with the stick upright next to the body, and check where the top of the grip meets the body.
- The stick end should reach the navel or a few centimetres below. Never above the navel for a beginner.
- Choose a lighter stick with a softer flex for younger and smaller players. A lower flex number in mm means a stiffer shaft.
- Do not buy a stick to "grow into". A stick that is 10 cm too long ruins technique for a whole season.
- Check length again every 6 months or after a visible growth spurt.
- The best stick is the one your child wants to practise with, so let them hold it before you decide.
What is the right floorball stick length for kids by height?
The table below converts height into a starting range. It follows the rule of thumb used by coaches: with your child standing in shoes, the stick end reaches roughly the navel, or a few centimetres below. Use it as a starting point, then confirm with the hands-on test below.
| Child's height | Approx. navel height | Suggested stick length |
|---|---|---|
| 110 cm | about 66 cm | 60–66 cm |
| 120 cm | about 72 cm | 66–72 cm |
| 130 cm | about 78 cm | 72–78 cm |
| 140 cm | about 84 cm | 78–84 cm |
| 150 cm | about 90 cm | 84–90 cm |
| 160 cm | about 96 cm | 90–96 cm |
| 170 cm | about 102 cm | 96–102 cm |
Sticks are sold in fixed lengths, so you will often land between two sizes. If your child is a beginner or very young, choose the shorter one. If they are an experienced player who likes more reach, the longer one can work. The rules cap total stick length at 114 cm.
How do you measure the stick at home?
You do not need a shop to check length. Follow these steps with your child at home.
- Put on indoor shoes. Measuring barefoot gives a stick that is too short in play.
- Stand upright and relaxed. Heels together, arms hanging, no stretching to make the number look better.
- Place the stick upright in front of the body. The blade rests on the floor next to the toes, and the shaft goes straight up.
- Check where the top of the grip ends. It should reach roughly the navel, or a few centimetres below. Cue: if it touches the chest, it is too long.
- Do the stance test. Ask your child to bend their knees slightly, hold the stick with both hands in a normal grip and place the blade on the floor in front of the toes. Watch for: a hunched back or arms stretched out, which means the stick is too short, or elbows pushed up and a blade that sits far away from the body, which means it is too long.
- Test a ball. Dribble side to side for 30 seconds. The ball should stay within one blade length of the feet without the child bending over.
Coach Erik's tip: Most young players I coach tell me they want a longer stick "to reach more". Then I ask them to do the 30-second side-to-side test with both lengths. Nearly every time the shorter stick wins, because the child can finally keep their head up. Control first, reach later.
What else matters besides length?
Flex and weight
Shaft flex is given in millimetres and describes how much the shaft bends under load. A lower number means a stiffer shaft. Children are lighter and weaker, so they need softer flex to load the shaft at all, and a light stick so the wrists are not tired after 10 minutes. If your child cannot bend the shaft even a little when pressing the blade to the floor, the flex is too stiff.
Which side the blade is on
We describe the grip by the side of the body where the blade is, because "left-handed" and "right-handed" confuse people. If your child holds the stick with the blade on the left side of the body, they need a stick built for a left-side blade, and the same applies to the right. Watch which side your child naturally holds the stick when they pick one up, and do not force it.
Should you buy a bigger stick for them to grow into?
This is the most common mistake parents make, and I understand why: sticks cost money, and children grow fast. But a stick that is 8–10 cm too long forces the hands apart, tilts the blade and encourages looking at the ball. It is a habit that takes months to correct. If you want to save money, buy a basic stick at the right size, plan a replacement when your child has grown 8–10 cm, and pass the old stick to a younger sibling or a friend.
What gear helps a child practise with the right stick at home?
A well-fitted stick only helps if it gets used. Short, fun sessions of 15–20 minutes at home build the touches that team practice cannot give. Better Floorball is a Swedish brand and sells its own gear without middlemen, designed in Sweden and tested for durability. Note that we do not sell sticks, so these are the items that support the stick you choose.
| Product | Price | Why it helps young players |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Floorball Stickhandling Trainer | €69 | Folds into different shapes and gives structure to solo stickhandling |
| Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (0.9 m²) | €79 | A smooth, snap-together surface for the bedroom, hallway or balcony |
| Floorball 50-Pack | €89 | Plenty of balls for shooting games |
| Extreme Floorball Shooting Kit Tiles | €209 | A full-size 160 x 115 cm goal plus 8 tiles for a complete starter zone |
The tiles and the Stickhandling Trainer are Made in Europe. For more equipment lists, see the floorball equipment list for kids, and for the bigger picture on picking a stick, read how to choose a floorball stick.
A 10-minute stick test your child can do
Once you have the stick, do this short session in the hallway or garden to check that length and flex suit them.
- Side-to-side touches (2 minutes). Move the ball between forehand and backhand 40 times. Cue: wrists do the work, head comes up every few touches.
- Figure eight around two markers (3 minutes). Place two markers 50 cm apart and dribble around them. Count how many full eights you manage in 60 seconds.
- Wall passes (3 minutes). From 2 m, play 20 forehand passes and 20 backhand passes. Watch for: the child crouching to reach the ball, a sign that the stick may be too short.
- Five wrist shots (2 minutes). Shoot at a goal or a taped square on a wall. If the child struggles to lift the blade from the floor, the stick is probably too heavy or too long.
For more ideas on getting started, see floorball for kids: getting started and what age should kids start floorball. More youth articles are in the Youth Floorball hub.
Common mistakes
- Buying too long. The child cannot control the ball and bends over. Fix: use the navel rule and pick the shorter size when in doubt.
- Measuring without shoes. The stick ends up too short in play. Fix: always measure in indoor shoes.
- Choosing a stiff shaft "for a harder shot". Small players cannot bend it. Fix: pick a softer flex (higher mm) for lighter players.
- Forcing a grip side. Children have a natural side. Fix: let them hold a stick and choose the blade side that feels comfortable.
- Never re-checking. Children grow. Fix: re-measure at the start of each season or after a visible growth spurt.
FAQ
How long should a kid's floorball stick be?
The upper end of the stick should reach roughly the child's navel, or a few centimetres below, while standing in indoor shoes. For example, a 130 cm child needs about 72–78 cm and a 150 cm child about 84–90 cm. When in doubt, choose the shorter stick.
Is it better to buy a longer stick so my child can grow into it?
No. A stick that is 8–10 cm too long makes the child look at the ball, hold the hands too far apart and develop poor technique. Buy the correct size now and replace it after the next 8–10 cm of growth.
What is the maximum length of a floorball stick?
The IFF rules allow a maximum total length of 114 cm, with a blade hook of at most 30 mm. Children almost never need a stick near this limit.
What does shaft flex mean for a child's stick?
Flex is given in millimetres and shows how much the shaft bends. A lower number means a stiffer shaft. Children are lighter and weaker, so they should use a softer flex, which lets them load the shaft and shoot more easily.
How do I know if the stick is too long or too short?
Ask your child to stand in a slight crouch and dribble side to side. If the child hunches or reaches to touch the ball, the stick is too short. If the elbows rise and the blade sits far from the body, or the top of the stick reaches the chest, it is too long.
How often should I check my child's stick size?
Re-measure at the start of each season and after any visible growth spurt, which is roughly every 6 months for fast-growing children. If the stick end now sits clearly below the navel, or if technique starts to suffer, it may be time to move up one size.
Summary
For kids, the right floorball stick reaches the navel or a few centimetres below when standing in shoes. Use the height table as a starting range, confirm with the stance and dribbling tests, and prefer a shorter, lighter stick with softer flex to start with. Pair it with short, regular practice at home and re-check the size as your child grows. Find more help in the Youth Floorball hub, and follow us on Instagram @better_floorball.
