innebandy

Innebandy, known internationally as floorball, is an indoor team sport played with lightweight sticks and a plastic ball with holes. It originated in Sweden during the 1960s and 1970s as an indoor adaptation of hockey. The sport is governed internationally by the International Floorball Federation (IFF), which coordinates rules, development, and international competition through member associations in numerous countries.

The game is typically played between two teams of five field players and one goaltender on a gym surface. Players use the sticks to pass and shoot the ball, aiming to score in the opponent’s goal. Physical contact is limited, and rules prohibit body checking; penalties for infractions such as high-sticking or tripping help maintain safety and flow. Matches are commonly arranged as two halves, often around 20 minutes each, with substitutions made from a bench during stoppages or on the fly.

Equipment includes sticks made from wood or composite materials, the ball with holes, and protective gear for players. Goalkeepers wear additional padding and protective equipment. The sport emphasizes speed, precision, and teamwork, with an emphasis on stickwork and ball control rather than body contact.

Innebandy is especially popular in Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Norway, and features national leagues, clubs, and youth programs in many countries. The IFF also stages international competitions, including world championships for men and women as well as youth events, contributing to the sport’s growth and standardization worldwide.