TACTICS ACADEMY

Zone offense is considered the supreme discipline in floorball.
Objective:

• Maintain longer possession

• Generate high-quality scoring chances

• Use available space efficiently

Key point:
It must be trained consistently from the beginning with the entire team and developed systematically over time.

📐 Basic Structure: 1-3-1 System

• Point:
  Positioned at the top, acts as the playmaker from the back

• Low Playmaker:
  Positioned behind the opponent’s goal, key for initiating switches and feeding passes

• Middle:
  Constant presence in the slot (both high and low positions)

• Sides:
  Two playmakers with good width and variable angles for passes and movement

Important:
Avoid the corners and tight spaces whenever possible – they often lead to turnovers.

⚠️ Challenges for the 2-1-2 Defense

• Back passes:
  Difficult to defend, as they require constant re-orientation

• Switching sides:
  Demanding for defenders – repeated shifting and communication needed

• Overload situations:
  Can occur when the opponent defends deep and the offense moves smartly

• Pockets (half-spaces):
  The space between the winger and defender remains a common weak spot

• High slot:
  Hard to cover when the attacking team uses good timing and quick passes

✅ 1. Challenge the Pockets and Half-Positions

• Attack the space between the winger and defender with speed

• Options:
  – Take a direct shot
  – Engage the center defender to open space for teammates

• Repeated attacks in these zones create defensive disorganization

Important:
Attack boldly and consistently, especially in 1-on-1 situations

✅ 2. Actively Use Back Passes

• Back passes force the defense into constant readjustments

Variants:

• Back pass followed by a side switch

• Back pass and re-attack on the same side

• Back pass followed by a central play
  
  

Key coaching point:
After the back pass, ensure movement continues to improve angles and open new passing options

✅ 3. Depth Play – Low Playmaker

• The low playmaker (behind the opponent’s goal) plays a strategically critical role

• Should remain dangerous for as long as possible before exiting pressure
  
  

Options:

• Play the ball directly to the goal

• Initiate a side switch

• Continue the attack on the same side

• Also serves as a key outlet for back passes

✅ 4. Constant Occupation of the High Slot

• A central, high-value position that is difficult to defend
  
  

Variants:

• Quick shot after a short pass

• Draw defenders to create space for teammates

Important:

• Always be close to the ball, regardless of which side it's on

• Use rotation for flexible occupation of the slot

🔧 Coaching Focus

• Challenge boldly and consistently:
  Especially in pockets and the slot, where 1-on-1 pressure can break defensive structure

• Positional discipline:
  The low playmaker (behind the net) and the high slot must be constantly occupied and used actively

• Integrated combination training:
  Shooting drills and small-sided games should always include Zone Offense principles

• Develop 1-on-1 skills:
  Especially for players operating in half-spaces, where quick decisions and creativity are crucial

• Targeted back pass training:
  Practice back pass – side switch – quick finish sequences regularly to create rhythm and timing

📌 Conclusion

• Zone Offense is a key element of modern offensive floorball.
  Success requires a clear tactical vision and structured, long-term training.

• It is especially effective against teams that are well-organized defensively, but vulnerable in deep-zone play.
  Constant challenging, courageous play, and fluid rotation apply sustained pressure and generate high-quality scoring chances.