Forehand and backhand drag moves in floorball

Forehand and backhand drag moves are close-control skills used to change direction while a defender closes in. Rather than pushing the ball straight past an opponent, the player draws it toward the body with the stick, turns around the pressure and keeps possession. The useful qualities are a soft touch, low centre of gravity, protected stick position and decisive footwork.

Lapinlahden Luistin LL89 provides a useful Finnish club example. Founded in 1989 and based at Lapinlahti Ice Hall, it runs floorball alongside ice hockey, ringette and figure skating for different ages and abilities. Its history includes a Finnish championship in 2010, while its club training programs show how technical work can sit within a broad community pathway.

Understanding the purpose of a drag

A drag move solves a specific problem: the defender is positioned between the player and open space. A hard push may simply expose the blade, while a drag keeps the ball close enough for the stick to guide it around the outside of the challenge. The movement should look controlled rather than hesitant, with the player protecting the ball throughout the turn.

The forehand version is usually the quicker option when the ball is already on the dominant side and the defender is approaching from the front. A backhand drag becomes useful when pressure arrives from the side or when the player wants to pull the ball behind the body before changing direction. Both versions rely on the same balance: light blade contact, bent knees and a stable base.

Players often lose control by dragging too far behind the body or pulling with the arm alone. The ball then becomes separated from the blade, and a recovering defender can poke it away. A compact arc, a deliberate pivot and control close to the feet create a smaller target and make the next pass or shot possible.

Executing a forehand drag

Begin with the ball on the forehand side, roughly half a stick length ahead. Open the blade slightly so it can guide the ball without scooping it, keep the knees bent and position the body between the defender and the ball. Before pulling, the player should have already seen the route around the opponent and the first passing option beyond the turn.

The movement begins as a short draw toward the body. The player pivots on the lead foot and allows the stick to sweep around while the ball remains on the blade. As the hips rotate, the defender is placed to one side and the ball travels to the other. Wrist rotation should be modest; the action comes mainly from coordinated stick movement and footwork rather than a forceful wrist snap.

After clearing the defender, the player can release the ball into open space, pass to a teammate or continue into a shooting position. The exit should follow the turn naturally. Pulling the stick straight backward and then abruptly reaching forward breaks the disguise and gives the defender time to recover.

Executing a backhand drag

A backhand drag brings the ball into the less protected side of the body, but it can provide a safe escape when the forehand is crowded. The player receives or collects the ball on the backhand, turns the shoulders slightly away from pressure and begins drawing it inward. The body, rather than the stick, acts as the first barrier against a poke check.

The ball is moved toward the near hip while the player pivots around the challenge. The blade stays close to the ball, and the stick follows the body’s rotation so that the ball is carried behind the pressure point. Once it reaches the far side, the player may continue with the backhand, transfer it to the forehand or release it into space.

Common errors include reaching across the body, turning the blade face downward and pulling the ball too quickly. A useful coaching cue is “draw, don’t snatch.” That cue encourages a smooth path around the defender, keeps the stick under control and makes the move repeatable when another player is approaching at full speed.

Building reliable skill under pressure

The first practice stage is an unopposed drag through a slalom of flat markers. Players alternate forehand and backhand turns, stopping after each change of direction to check that the ball remained close to the blade. This develops a soft touch and prevents the movement from becoming a routine puck push.

The next stage adds a passive defender who reaches with the stick but does not make body contact. The attacking player must protect the ball, complete the turn and release it cleanly. Coaches can then introduce a moving defender, requiring the attacker to read the angle before selecting the forehand or backhand route.

Repetition should be paired with useful feedback. “Low,” “soft hands” and “eyes up” are practical cues, but the coach should also identify whether the fault comes from foot placement, blade angle or an exaggerated arm action. Training on the surface used by the club is important, since a hard court produces faster ball movement than synthetic turf and requires finer close control.

Adapting the moves for Australian clubs

Finland’s main indoor competition period falls during its winter, whereas Australia’s cooler indoor season generally runs from June to August. Australian players therefore prepare for peak club competition outside the Finnish playing calendar. Preseason sessions can focus on footwork and stickhandling before league matches begin.

Community venues around Melbourne and Sydney often double as basketball, netball, futsal and training spaces, while some clubs use synthetic turf for floorball. The surface changes the speed and rebound of the ball, so a drag that feels comfortable on ice can become less stable on a hard court. Players should practise with the blade pressure and turning radius used at their home venue.

Equipment is commonly sourced from specialist floorball suppliers or overseas online retailers rather than general sports stores. Limited local choice makes early sizing and blade selection worthwhile, particularly before the Australian winter. Club culture also uses familiar phrases such as “sweat session” and encouraging a teammate to “have a go”, which makes a supportive learning environment important for inexperienced players.

The next scheduled drill uses two flat markers three metres apart, with each player completing five controlled forehand drags and five backhand drags while the coach records whether the ball stayed close to the blade throughout.