Floorball and Hockey in America

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www.floorballplanet.com sales@floorballplanet.com

Herb Brooks Foundation Grow Hockey Summit

Increasing Participation in Hockey

Why do we not have more hockey players?

Outsiders Perceptions too expensive, too violent

Sports Alternatives Soccer, baseball, football, basketball, etc. Limited Facilities and Programs Too much of a commitment by both parents and kids

The Result?
As reported by USA Hockey, in 2009-10, nearly 44% of hockey players drop out of organized ice hockey by the age of nine

And what about those millions of people who have never had the opportunity to ignite a passion for the game?

 What if we could overcome these major barriers to entry?

What if we could introduce kids of any age to hockey without the expense and commitment issues Can we introduce hockey that is inexpensive and safe?

We Can!
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Introducing Floorball
A fast-paced, exciting, safe, and low-cost type of co-ed indoor hockey. It resembles floor hockey or ball hockey but is played with lightweight, plastic and composite sticks, a plastic ball, and rules that promote safety and skill.

What is Floorball?
Floorball is a Worldwide sport
Established in the 1970s in Sweden

Extremely popular in Europe and has over 2 million players in 35 countries

Growing quickly in Canada and gaining popularity in the US Official rules and regulations are established by IFF (International Floorball Federation)

Floorball is Fun, Fast, Safe and Inexpensive

Requires only a stick, sneakers, shorts and a shirt to play Floorball is ideal for coed and mixed age groups Emphasis on speed, skill and technique over physical strength Similar to ball or floor hockey but is played with advanced lightweight sticks that make the game faster and safer Body and stick checking are not permitted and playing of the ball or stick above the knee is illegal Can be played anywhere there is a smooth surface inside or outdoors Excellent off-ice training sport for hockey players practice stickhandling, passing & shooting skills anywhere at any time. Hockey players will love the feel of the stick and the soft hands required to control the ball
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How Does Floorball Address the Challenges of Hockey?

Cost: All you need to play is a stick and a ball about $25 to $40 Safety: Floorball has rules that limit stick checking and high sticking so there is no danger from aggressive stick play. There is NO body checking, fighting, or aggressive conduct Accessibility: Ice is not required. Floorball can be played in any gym or flat outdoor surface at either no cost or a fraction of the cost of ice. Inclusiveness: Floorball can be played by anyone boy or girl, young or old TOGETHER!

3 Ways Floorball Can POSITIVELY Influence Hockey

1) Floorball can be used to introduce MILLIONS of people to a hockey-like activity that can be played anywhere 2) Floorball improves hockey skills for current players 3) Floorball offers hockey players the opportunity to stoke the competitive juices after they are no longer playing organized hockey a LIFETIME connection to the game
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Floorball as an Introduction to Hockey

Floorball opens the door to MILLIONS of new players Many will naturally take the step onto the ice and fuel the growth of ice hockey in the United States

Those that dont take that step will likely develop a passion for an alternative sport that is technically hockey without the skates and smelly bags Hockey organizations can use floorball as part of their community outreach
THE KEY: Partnerships between hockey organizations and schools
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Early Introduction to Hockey

Young kids today have a huge array of sports to choose from soccer, football, basketball

Many do not have access to a rink and are not exposed to hockey at an early age
Hockey is expensive Floorball is an IDEAL introduction to hockey! Its inexpensive and can be played anywhere Introduces hockey-type skills and movements Can be played year-round Early identification of potential hockey players Leads to an early love for the sport of hockey Kids as young as 4 or 5 can play Its HUGE fun!
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Hockey Outreach Programs

Many hockey organizations have community outreach programs Floorball is perfect for those programs
Can access many more prospects than you can with inline or blacktop hockey Junior and Professional teams can have a huge impact when visiting schools. EVERYONE gets to participate Extremely low cost Successfully used by teams in Central Hockey League

School Partnerships & Sponsorships

Really effective in nontraditional hockey markets Hockey Canada is working with Floorball Canada to develop an elementary school floorball program

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Floorball for Hockey Players

Floorball is an excellent alternative to traditional sports: Improves agility, speed, endurance, and overall athleticism Promotes team play Provides excellent cardiovascular conditioning Improves hockey-specific skills stick handling & hand-eye coordination Improves your ability to see plays developing Perfect for the USA Hockey ADM Program All ages can play together from 6 or 7 year olds through adult Floorball is versatile It can be played outside or inside on any flat surface Can be played all year round Can work on hockey skills when ice or shooting room is not available Floorball is fun and inexpensive!

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Dry Land Training

More and More Hockey Programs in Europe and Across North America are Embracing Floorball! Without ice or a shooting room, you can incorporate the following: Stick handling drills Shooting drills especially one-timers Passing drills Build on-ice awareness (see plays developing) Supplement your coaching drills without large ice cost overhead (offensive/defensive breakouts, etc) Add another element of fun to what can be a tedious aspect of hockey development To become a better hockey player, you need ice time to work on skating. If you incorporate floorball with dry land training, more ice time can be used for skating drills.
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Practice at Home or School

Schools all across the country are starting to incorporate floorball into their PE programs and for after school activities

Players can practice with a floorball stick and ball in their garage, basement or driveway.
Will not damage floors or walls (you cant say that about a hockey stick and puck) Unlike using a hockey stick and puck on an artificial surface, you can practice stick handling drills anywhere with a floorball stick & ball Learn and practice zorro moves to improve stick handling on the ice Work on passing with friends or teammates
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Team Building & Outside Competition

1. Hockey teams make outstanding floorball teams. 2. Wonderful off-ice team building activity. Keeps team working together away from the rink. 3. Improve hockey skills even while doing something that is NOT hockey. Everybody gets lots of touches.

4. Keeps the competitive spirit going between games and tournaments.

5. Floorball is a great fund raising opportunity! Set up a portable floorball rink, provide sticks and sell tickets for pickup action.
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Who Should be Looking at Floorball?

School Partnerships, Community Outreach & Awareness
NHL, NHL teams, professional and junior teams at all levels Ice rinks & sports facilities Schools at every level elementary, middle, high schools, prep schools, alternative schools, colleges, & universities Any hockey association looking to expand interest in the game of hockey Hockey resellers, pro shops, and sports retailers In Canada, they are worried about young potential hockey players becoming more interested in alternative sports before they are old enough for hockey. They are looking at using floorball to capture the interest of younger kids. Hockey Canada and Canadian Minor Hockey Associations are embracing floorball Floorball is a perfect complement to USA Hockeys ADM program Colleges, prep schools, and high schools with hockey programs Many European born NHL players use floorball as their dry land training of choice --Marion Gaborik, Mats Sundin, Henrik Lundqvist play floorball. The Sedin Twins have been raised with floorball at school just like every other Swedish and Finnish hockey player. Michael Borg, 12/09 The top professional hockey teams in Sweden use floorball to improve hockey. Linkping HC claim that 20% of their off-season practice is based on floorball. 16

Hockey organizations for dry land and off-ice training

If You Like Hockey, Youll LOVE Floorball!

We need to get more sticks into kids hands. Floorball is the Perfect Fit

Its Affordable Its Safe

For Under $50, You Have a New Player!
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Floorball Rules
No body or stick contact No stick interference Cannot swing stick or hit the ball above the knees No foot passes to a teammate

Cannot touch the ball with your hands or head.

Cannot put your stick between an opponents legs No jumping to play the ball

For additional information, contact:

FloorballPlanet 6481 Southwest Blvd Benbrook TX 76132 (866) 693-0925 / (817) 806-5002 sales@floorballplanet.com / www.floorballplanet.com 18