Third shot, third goal. The last one was a ball you'd normally save. Teammates turn away, the coach looks at the bench. Hardly anyone on the court is as alone with their mistakes as you are in goal.
Conceding goals is part of the job
In handball, lots of goals are scored – that's completely normal. In major tournaments, even the best goalkeepers only save a fraction of the shots. At the Euro 2022 the best goalkeeper according to the EHF had a save rate of 40.9 per cent, with the next best at 39.1 and 35.3 per cent. During the Euro 2026 the top figure is 32.2 per cent. Top goalkeepers in tournaments save around 30 to 40 per cent of shots – not half. Letting a goal in says very little about you. How you tackle the next ball says a whole lot more.
Your ritual between two throws
- Get the ball and throw it out – that's your conclusion.
- Wiping your hands on your shorts or tapping the post: The goal is over.
- Exhale slowly.
- Position word: "Middle," "deep," "stay put" – depending on what you're working on right now.
Your gesture
When: Whenever words are too slow in the game – between two actions, after conceding a goal or a missed shot.
- 1Pick a small gesture: adjust your top, high-five someone, tap the ground.
- 2Now, become aware of them.
- 3Connect them with one word: 'next'.
- 4Use it in training after every misplaced pass.
Out of the game
A 17-year-old goalkeeper concedes three goals in a row from the same back court player. After each goal, he taps the right post, exhales and tells himself "stay standing". For the fourth shot, he waits longer – and saves it.
After the game
Look at patterns with your goalkeeper coach or alone: Which shots went in? That becomes training, not a judgment of you.
Remember this
The last goal doesn't count anymore. Ritual, breathe out, one word – and ready for the next ball.