Quick answer: Floorball and field hockey both involve passing and shooting with sticks, but they are different sports. Floorball is typically played indoors with lightweight plastic sticks and a perforated plastic ball. Field hockey is commonly played outdoors with a hard ball and a different type of stick. Their goalkeeper equipment and stick-use rules also differ.
Floorball vs field hockey at a glance
| Feature | Floorball | Field hockey |
|---|---|---|
| Typical playing surface | Indoor hard court | Outdoor turf or other hockey-approved pitch |
| Ball | Lightweight, hollow plastic ball with holes | Hard, solid hockey ball |
| Stick | Lightweight shaft and plastic blade, made for floorball | Field-hockey stick with a hooked head and flat playing side |
| Standard on-field team | Five field players and one goalkeeper | Ten field players and one goalkeeper in traditional 11-a-side |
| Goalkeeper | Does not use a floorball stick in standard play | Typically uses a hockey stick and protective gear |
| Stick use | Both sides of the floorball blade can be used, subject to safe-play rules | Ball played with the flat face of the hockey stick, not the rounded back |
| Contact | Controlled play; pushing, holding and dangerous stick use are penalised | Obstruction, dangerous play and improper physical contact are penalised |
This comparison refers to standard floorball and outdoor field hockey, not ice hockey or indoor field hockey. Modified junior formats may differ.
Is floorball easier to learn than hockey?
Floorball can be especially approachable for a first-timer because the ball and stick are lightweight and introductory games can be organised in smaller indoor spaces. However, both sports involve genuine skill: positioning, passing, movement, teamwork and accurate shooting take practice.
How do the rules differ?
1. Playing with the stick
In floorball, you can control the ball with either face of the blade while following the rules on safe stick height and dangerous play. Field hockey generally restricts legal stick contact to the stick’s flat side. This is one reason hockey players may need time to adjust when switching sports.
2. Using your feet
Neither sport is football. Floorball’s current rules allow limited controlled use of the foot but restrict actions such as scoring by kicking and repeated intentional foot play. In field hockey, players generally cannot deliberately use their feet or body to play the ball, subject to the sport’s advantage and goalkeeper rules.
3. Goals and goalkeepers
Floorball goalkeepers ordinarily defend without a stick and often work from a kneeling position, using permitted body movements and protective equipment. Field-hockey goalkeepers are equipped differently and generally carry a stick.
4. Physical contact and safety
Neither game allows players to simply barge through opponents. Floorball referees penalise pushing, holding, dangerous stick actions and improper contact, including collisions that endanger the goalkeeper. Field hockey has its own rules around obstruction, contact and dangerous play.
Can a hockey player switch to floorball?
Definitely. Awareness of space, passing, defensive positioning and teamwork all transfer well. The big adjustments are the lighter ball, plastic blade, indoor court, faster changes of possession and the different use of the stick and goalkeeper area. If you have experience in field hockey, don’t automatically buy a right-sided floorball stick; try both sides to see what feels natural.
Which sport should you choose?
Choose the one you enjoy and can play regularly. If you want an indoor stick sport with beginner-friendly trial options, floorball is worth a go. If you already enjoy field hockey, floorball can be a complementary way to build handling, footwork and game awareness.
Frequently asked questions
Is floorball the same as indoor hockey?
No. Floorball and indoor field hockey have different governing rules, equipment and playing formats, even though both can be played indoors.
Can I use my field-hockey stick for floorball?
No. Use equipment approved for the sport and session. Floorball sticks have a distinctive lightweight shaft and plastic blade.
Does floorball allow body checking?
No, not in the sense of ice-hockey body checks. Contact is regulated and dangerous physical play is penalised.
Where can I try floorball in Perth?
Start with the Perth Pirates First Stick introduction or contact the club about an appropriate junior or adult group.
Rules references: IFF Rules of the Game (2026 edition) and the relevant current International Hockey Federation rules. Always check the specific competition’s local rules.