On-field training

As I (Lars) started to become a goalie, I absorbed as many as possible goal tending knowledge by watching floorball goal tending videos, talk to local coaches and talked to other goalies in my neighborhood. Afterwards, I worked at so many things at once, that I lost the focus. It took some time until I realized that it is more efficient when I improve my technique step by step.
Do not do the same mistake like I did between the posts at the beginning.
This section will help you to train efficient on your skills in different game situations. Therefore we divided the field in five sections:
- Behind the goal
- Slot
- Short distance
- Mid distance
- Long distance
Behind the goal
An opponent with a ball behind your goal is a special situation. You should not lose the overview about the field in front of you, but also should never lose the contact to the ball and the opponent. The opponent has two options:
- Starting a dribbling and moving himself that smart that you lose the ball out of your eyes during your re-positioning all the time whereas you get beated and he scores
- He does a strong pass into the field where another opponent takes a direct shot
Short distance
Besides the shots in the slot, shots from the short distance area are very dangerous too and almost impossible to catch. The reflex to close your hand when the ball touches your palm is too slow. Therefore always be ready for the rebound. As you have almost no time to bring your body in the right position between the goal and the ball, you already have to be positioned when the shot comes. A key to the success is the scanning of the players and the field. Identify possible strikers to move with the right power immediately when the pass comes for the final shot.
posts with exercise are coming :)
Slot
The slot is the part of the field where you have to show your opponent that this is your area and he has to keep away from it or even move in it with caution. Show him your point of view with your body language and stand up when you caught a ball and go a few steps forward to push them out of your territory. However, if a striker finds the shot in the slot, you have no time to react. You already have to be ready to block the ball. The distance is that short, that it is very unlikely to catch the ball. Therefore it is important that you and your teammates are ready to defuse the rebound. Positioning and scanning is the key to success.

Mid distance
This Part of the field is where a lot happens. Shots are dangerous, players are building up speed for their dribbling, every pass is dangerous and there can be a lot of turbulence in front of you. Mid Distance is where a lot of skill is demanded from players and from goalies. That is why it is important to focus on this part of the field, be it in a video analysis or exercises or something else. Ask yourself questions like: How do I have to position myself? Can I cover everything? Are there impossible saves? And many more… With this category we want to help you becoming better in reading the game, making saves, positioning and many other things to improve your game in for situations that occur in mid distance.
Long distance
Shots from the “long distance area” are the “least” dangerous ones. Your benefit is the time that you have to react. Bring your body in the perfect position, focus the ball and be ready for the save. The chance is high that you catch the ball to avoid the rebound.
Actually, shots from the long distance area do not happen that often during the game as not many players have the faith in their shots to score from such a long distance.
However, it gets more difficult for you, independent of the strength of the shot, if a player crossing your view and you lose the ball for milliseconds. That’s why the right positioning is that important!
Let me repeat one important sentence about the areas. These areas like in the picture are not set in stone. The borders vary depended of the player and his game play. Some players have a huge red zone and less green and other players vice versa. Always keep that in mind!
ATTENTION
However you have to consider that the border from one section to the other is not set in stone. Actually the sections are merged smoothly and it differs of the player how big each section is. For example a striker has a big red area and less orange and green area, whereas a defender with a weaker shot have a big green area and less red. Keep this always in your mind when you are between the posts.
However you have to consider that the border from one section to the other is not set in stone. Actually the sections are merged smoothly and it differs of the player how big each section is. For example a striker has a big red area and less orange and green area, whereas a defender with a weaker shot have a big green area and less red. Keep this always in your mind when you are between the posts.
Exercise
- Goalie focused - The focus of this category is the training of single goalie skills. Therefore less frequency and less field players
- Team focused - The focus of this category is the training of the whole team. This means a higher frequency and more field players
Circle of Shots
Field area: Slot, short and mid distance
Content: Rushing game-like situations
Focus: Scanning, movement and positioning
Equipment: 2 goals
Number of Assistants: 9 field players and 2 goalies (in total)
All Movement Drill
Field area: Mid distance, Slot
Content: Player passes a ball from the corner to the center in front of the goal where another player shoots
Focus: Movement speed, positioning
Equipment: 1 goal
Number of Assistants: 2 field players
3 Goalies – 2 Goals
Field area: Mid distance, Slot
Content: Player passes a ball from the corner to the center in front of the goal where another player shoots
Focus: Movement speed, positioning
Equipment: 1 goal
Number of Assistants: 2 field players
Parallel goal game
Content: Modified floorball warm up game
Focus: Positioning, Focus, reaction and throw outs
Equipment: 6x Field players, floorball ball
Number of Assistants: 6 or more
The snakes
Content: Exercise with a high frequency of shots
Focus: Positioning, movement
Equipment: Field players, Floorball balls
Number of Assistants: 6 or more
Danger from the back of the goal
Content: Pass from the back of the goal to a striker in the slot who only positions his/her blade to change the ballistic curve of the ball
Focus:reaction, positioning
Equipment: 1 goal, 1, 1 floorball, ballmate or a similar tool or an additional field player
Number of Assistants: 1
The ZigZag Circle
Field area: Slot, short distance
Content: 1v1 and short distance shots
Focus: saves, movement and positioning
Equipment: 1 goal
Number of Assistants:At least 5 field players
Semicircle shots
Content: Save mid-distance shots and move to the semicircle run of a striker
Focus:reaction, movement
Equipment: Floorball balls
Number of Assistants: 1 or more
Tennis racket meets floorball goalie
Content: deflect the balls
Focus:reaction, reflexes
Equipment: 1 tennis racket, some floorballs
Number of Assistants: 1
Simple Rebound Control Drill
Field area: Slot
Content: Save the balls with the paddling movement as the striker trys to beats you
Focus: Movement speed, reaction
Equipment: 1 goal
Number of Assistants: At least 1 striker
Moving Eight
Field area:Slot
Content: Training of basic movments
Focus: Movements
Equipment: 6 caps
Number of Assistants:0
Merry Goes Round
Field area: Mid distance, Slot
Content: Player passes a ball from the corner to the center in front of the goal where another player shoots
Focus: Movement speed, positioning
Equipment: 1 goal
Number of Assistants: 2 field players
Paddling 1 against 1
Field area: Slot
Content: Save the balls with the paddling movement as the striker trys to beats you
Focus: Movement speed, reaction
Equipment: 1 goal
Number of Assistants: At least 1 striker
Delusions of Grandeur
Field area: Long distance
Content: Save the balls with a good and fast movement
Focus: Movement speed, reaction
Equipment: 2 goals
Number of Assistants: At least 1 striker