Interview with Floorball Referee Duo Jannik & Ben

Floorball refereeing is about communication, presence, and constant development. We spoke with German referee duo Jannik and Ben about how they started, how they became a team, and what they learned from their international exchange in Finland.

First Steps in Refereeing

– How did your journey as referees begin?

"Ben first came into contact with refereeing through his former coach and other members of his club, who were already top-level referees in Germany. At the beginning, he was mainly fascinated by the opportunity to see the other side of floorball. His initial motivation was simply to learn something new and develop himself further. Over time, he realized that refereeing fits very well with his personality: he has a strong sense of fairness, enjoys working with people, and likes engaging with them. In particular, communicating, making quick decisions, and confidently explaining those decisions afterwards are aspects of the role that he enjoys most and that still motivate him today.

Jannik completed his first referee course at the age of 15. At the time, it was common in his club for players of that age to attend a course at least once. In the following years, he regularly renewed his license, initially without major ambitions. His genuine interest in pursuing refereeing more seriously only developed several years later, when he was first assigned to officiate adult matches. These games were significantly faster, more physical, and more emotional — exactly what appealed to him. From that moment on, he set himself the goal of improving step by step, obtaining higher licenses, and developing athletically. Eventually, he was encouraged to take the step to the national level, and what had started as a casual activity gradually turned into a clear sporting pathway."

The Path to Becoming a Referee Duo

– How did you become a referee team?

"Our journey together was anything but typical. We barely knew each other beforehand and had only occasionally shared the field as opponents. In the end, it was mutual referee colleagues and friends who brought us together. They recognized that we had very similar goals, comparable motivation, and, above all, strong potential. So they decided to simply give it a try and pair us as a duo — essentially a small experiment, with no certainty at the time about how it would turn out.

Looking back, we can say that this experiment was a complete success. Already in our first season together, we were selected to officiate at the Final4, the biggest German floorball event, and we also had the opportunity to referee the German Women’s Championship Final — an experience that greatly strengthened us as a team.

From the very beginning, we noticed how well we harmonized not only on the field but also personally. Our sense of humor, our understanding of right and wrong, and our shared passion for the sport and for refereeing all matched from the start. Our goals were also aligned from day one: to continuously improve, to reach the highest level possible, and hopefully one day to officiate internationally.

About six weeks before our first match together, we were already in contact via WhatsApp and realized that we not only got along well personally but also shared very similar ideas about our development. After our first assignments, we invested a lot of time in analyzing our performances to better align our positioning, refereeing line, communication, signals, and overall presence. During this phase, it became increasingly clear how well we complemented each other both professionally and personally. Very quickly, we developed the feeling that we wanted to work together long-term as a duo — a decision we have never regretted."

Current Development and Shared Goals

– How would you describe your current development and your goals as a duo?

In our first season together — Jannik’s first at the national level and Ben’s second — we believe we made very positive progress. Thanks in part to the support of our mentors, we experienced a steep learning curve. Teams often give us positive feedback on our communication and our active presence on the field. Our appearance as a duo is also frequently described as very consistent and harmonious. When one of us officiates alone, teams or spectators often ask about the partner, and our polite, respectful, and friendly manner is regularly highlighted.

At the same time, we clearly see further potential for improvement. In particular, we want to refine our stick-line positioning. We also still lack experience in extremely fast matches or in special, highly emotional game situations, where we aim to react even more confidently in the future. Many key improvements, in our view, lie in small details — such as fine-tuning communication, body language, or reading the game situationally. These skills develop mainly through experience, which we intend to gain deliberately over the coming years. Our shared goal is to continue improving step by step and, in the long term, to reach the international level — with the clear dream of one day officiating at IFF competitions.

International Exchange in Finland

– You recently took part in an exchange in Finland. What was that experience like?

An important milestone for us was the international exchange in Finland at the beginning of November during our second season together. Within three days, we officiated a total of seven matches, including two U19 Cup games as well as matches in the fourth and fifth divisions.

For Ben, two aspects were particularly memorable. First, he was impressed by how intelligently and technically the players performed. Referees’ instructions are implemented quickly, and players handle both stick and body in a very controlled manner. Second, the match in Finland’s top league was a special highlight — not only because of the speed, physicality, and technical quality, but also because of the opportunity to meet the two referees, exchange ideas, and ask questions.

For us as a duo, the third-division game on Saturday afternoon and the U19 Cup match on Sunday were especially impressive. These matches showed us the high technical level at which even young teams already play and how strong their teamwork with the ball is. Experiencing this level firsthand made us realize how advanced the sport is in other countries. We were able to use these impressions and experiences directly for our own development back in Germany.

Lessons Learned from Finland

– What were your main takeaways from the exchange?

We took away numerous insights from the exchange. In every match, we were observed and received extensive feedback from Finnish assessors, who provided different perspectives and concrete suggestions for improvement. For Ben, one of the most important realizations was how crucial the right communication is — at the right moment, with the right volume and tone. One sentence in particular stayed with him: “React before the player reacts.”

For Jannik, the main takeaway from Finland was the psychological aspect. He realized the importance of not dwelling too long on individual situations but instead quickly refocusing on the game. He also became more aware of how different players are and how important it is to approach them individually. Every conversation on the field requires a new adjustment in presence, wording, and communication — something he has always enjoyed, as it presents a new challenge each time.

As a team, we also learned to adjust our stick line more clearly and to manage players’ temperament and emotions more effectively. This includes both reacting appropriately in the moment and steering situations early to defuse or prevent emotions from escalating. Beyond the technical aspects, what remains most memorable are the impressions of the different floorball culture, style of play, and passion for the sport. Overall, the exchange was a significant step in our development as referees — both professionally and personally.

– Thank you guys for this, keep it up and good luck with everything!