Combining Floorball And Hockey

As soon as I saw the following video, I knew I had to share it with my CoachChic.com members. As most of you know, I've been pushing our combining floorball and hockey as an unbelievable form of cross-training. (Thanks to my long time floorball friend, Mike B, for pointing me towards this.)

-- Dennis Chighisola

Combining Floorball And Hockey

I'm sure hockey enthusiasts are familiar with the former NHLer featured in the following video. To me, Peter Forsberg is one of the all-time great pro players, and he's arguably the top player produced in his home country of Sweden. In fact, he's been a model after which the Swedes have attempted to develop all their younger players. With that, listen to Forsberg, and see what you might think about combining floorball and hockey...

Why show this video at this time? It's because it's time to make serious plans for the coming off-season, and I'm highly recommending that every hockey player get involved in floorball in one way or another. In some areas, I'm sure there are leagues available that would readily accept players with backgrounds in hockey. If your area doesn't have a league currently available, I'll suggest that a well organized coach or parent consider starting one. At worst, I'll bet a small group of neighborhood kids would have a blast organizing games, just as they would streethockey. Those options aside, I'll suggest that individual players get a floorball stick and ball, and begin doing lots of tricks right at home -- this site and the Internet are loaded with great stickhandling ideas.

Members should know my feelings about off-season hockey... I firmly believe that on-ice games should be taboo during the spring and summer months. At the same time, I truly believe that players still need to continue growing -- in their hockey skills, athleticism and other physical qualities. With that, I think floorball practices and games would be awesome for hockey players during their off-season.

As for Peter Forsburg, I know he's one of many European players who grew up playing that sport. And, the NHL is currently filled with gifted puckhandlers from abroad who honed some of their stick skills from floorball. All that said, I'd really love the input here from others who know a lot more about floorball and I. Together, I hope we can get more young players developing even better by combining floorball and hockey.