Floorball

Floorball is an indoor team sport similar to hockey. Floorball is usually played in gyms with little plastic balls and special hockey sticks. In floorball, there are five players with sticks, and a goalkeeper without any equipment except for a special jersey and helmet.

The origin of floorball is disputed, with Sweden, Canada, and the USA all claiming to have invented the sport. Regardless, floorball has been most popular in Sweden since the 1970s. Its popularity quickly spread to Finland and Switzerland, but with different rules. For example, in Switzerland, a goalkeeper uses a stick.  In 1986, the International Floorball Federation (IFF) was created and rules became the same.

Floorball is played in a gym on an area of 40x20 meters bordered by boards 50 centimeters high. The formations are very similar to ice hockey. Both teams play with 3 attackers, 2 defenders, and a goalkeeper. In adult games, Floorball is usually played in 3 20 minute sessions with 15 minute breaks, while the time varies in junior matches. Floorball is a contact sport, but the contact is limited. The goalkeeper is not allowed to use a stick, but can handle the ball with their body. The field players cannot hit the ball with their hands or head, and they cannot jump. The goalkeeper can hit the ball with every part of their body and can hold it for 3 seconds. In floorball, a player can be excluded for 2 minutes when they break the rules.

Currently, the strongest leagues are located in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

The IFF organizes world championships in floorball. Every year they are in a different country, alternating between the men's and the women's tournaments.

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Category:Team sports