Picking your first floorball stick doesn't have to be complicated. There are really only four things that matter: length, flex, handedness, and budget. Get those right and everything else is just preference. This guide walks you through each one in plain English — no floorball jargon required.
Step 1 — Getting the Right Length
This is the most important thing to get right. A stick that is too long forces you to hunch over and slows down your stick-handling. A stick that is too short strains your back and limits your reach.
The rule: stand in your shoes, hold the stick vertically in front of you with the blade on the floor — the top of the shaft should reach 1 to 2 inches above your belly button.
| Your Height | Recommended Shaft Length | Who It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Under 4'7" (140cm) | 75–80 cm | Young kids / beginners under 10 |
| 4'7" – 5'0" (140–152cm) | 82–87 cm | Youth / smaller adults |
| 5'0" – 5'6" (152–168cm) | 87–92 cm | Average height adults |
| 5'6" – 5'11" (168–180cm) | 92–96 cm | Most adult players |
| Over 5'11" (180cm+) | 96–100 cm | Tall players |
Note on sizing labels: You'll sometimes see two numbers like "96/107 cm" on a stick. The first (smaller) number is the shaft length without the blade — that's the one to match to your height.
Most adult players do well on a 96 cm stick. When in doubt, go slightly shorter rather than longer — it's easier to adapt to a shorter stick and better ball control is worth it for beginners.
Step 2 — Understanding Flex
Flex is how much the shaft bends under pressure, measured in millimeters. It's measured as the amount a shaft deflects when 30kg of force is applied. Higher number = more flexible. Lower number = stiffer.
| Flex | Feel | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 26–27mm | Very stiff | Advanced / competitive players, heavy players, power shooters |
| 29mm | Medium stiff | Intermediate players, all-around play |
| 32–33mm | Medium flex | Beginners, lighter players, technical/skill-focused players |
| 36mm+ | Very flexible | Young players, very light players, pure beginners |
Beginner recommendation: Start with a 29–32mm flex. It gives you enough feedback to feel shots while still being forgiving. You can always go stiffer as your technique improves.
A common mistake beginners make is grabbing the stiffest, lightest carbon stick they can find because it looks cool. A 26mm pro stick in untrained hands actually makes you worse — there's no margin for error in the shot. Build your technique first.
Step 3 — Left or Right?
This confuses almost every newcomer. Left and right in floorball has nothing to do with which hand you write with. It refers to which hand sits lower on the stick when you play.
- Right stick = your right hand is the lower hand on the shaft (most common)
- Left stick = your left hand is the lower hand on the shaft
The lower hand is your control hand — it's the one near the blade that guides your shots and passes. Most people find out which feels natural by simply picking up a stick. If you're completely unsure, go with a right stick as a starting point since they're more widely available, but honestly try both if you can.
For teams and schools: If you're buying sticks for a group where you don't know everyone's preference, straight-blade sticks work for both left and right players. We carry options for this — just email us at info@floorballstore.us.
Step 4 — Materials and Budget
Floorball stick shafts come in three main materials, and price follows material almost exactly:
Fiberglass / Composite ($40–$70)
Heavier (210–250g) but durable and forgiving. Perfect for beginners and recreational players. You can take a beating with these and they won't crack. The Accufli AirTek A90 and A100 sit in this range and are built tough for American players — great first stick.
Carbon Composite ($80–$130)
Lighter (185–210g), better feel, more responsive. Good for players who are playing regularly and want to improve. The Salming Hawk Carbon and Zone Air/Two live here.
Full Carbon ($130–$200+)
The lightest (155–185g), most responsive, and most expensive. Built for competitive and elite players who know exactly what they want from a stick. Unihoc EPIC CARBSKIN, Zone HYPER PROLIGHT, and Unihoc EVOLAB fall in this category. Beautiful sticks — but buy one of these after you've been playing for at least a season.
We carry beginner-friendly options from Accufli ($44.99), Salming ($59.99), and Zone starting at $79.99. All ship fast from the USA.
Step 5 — The Blade
Blades attach to the bottom of the shaft and can be replaced separately. For your first stick, don't overthink the blade — most sticks come with a well-matched blade already attached. A few things worth knowing:
- Pre-curved blades are the standard and come in left and right versions. Better for ball control and shooting.
- Concavity is how much the blade curves inward (like a scoop). Higher concavity helps hold the ball for shots; lower concavity gives more feel for passing and dribbling.
- Blade stiffness matters for shots. Stiffer blade = harder shots. Softer = better feel. Most beginner sticks come with medium-stiff blades that work well for everything.
Quick Summary — What to Buy
| Your Situation | What to Get | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Total beginner, just trying floorball | Accufli AirTek A90, 29mm flex, right or left | $44.99 |
| Beginner who wants to play regularly | Accufli AirTek A100 or Salming Hawk Carbon | $59–$65 |
| Intermediate, been playing 6+ months | Zone Air/Two or Salming Quest Carbon | $130–$140 |
| Competitive club player | Unihoc EPIC CARBSKIN or Zone HYPER PROLIGHT | $149–$200 |
Still not sure? Email us at info@floorballstore.us and we'll give you a straight answer based on your height, weight, and how you plan to play. No upselling — just honest advice.
Also check out our other guides: Best Floorball Sticks for Beginners 2026 and Unihoc & Zone vs Accufli — Which Is Right for You?