AASP Blog

The position of a goalkeeper is one of the most critical across all sports. A stable psychological state and strong mental resilience are required to cope with the demands of this role (Pshenychna et al., 2019). Being a goalie demands a high level of game awareness, confidence, concentration, quick decision-making, and effective communication with teammates during the match (Otte et al., 2022). Achieving this is challenging given that goalies have quite different training routines that makes this position more isolated (Villemain & Hauw, 2014). A goalkeeper is the last line of defense - one mistake can put the team in a difficult situation, while one save can help the team achieve their dream. A former professional goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, once said, “Being a goalkeeper is like being the guy in the military who makes the bombs - one mistake and everyone gets blown up.”

Do Goalkeepers Carry More Pressure Than Other Players?

This blog provides an overview of mental challenges goalkeepers face, offering insights for both keepers and coaches. The goalkeeper is often held responsible when a team loses (Kristiansen et al., 2011). Journalists often publish photographs of disappointed goalkeepers alongside images of opponents celebrating their goals (Kristiansen et al., 2011). As a result, goalies tend to feel a deep sense of responsibility for the outcome. It is common to see them take ownership in post-match interviews, offering apologies even when the result was not entirely on their shoulders.

The Emotional Weight of Conceding a Goal

Goalkeepers often carry a heavy sense of guilt because they are the final line of defense (Kajtna et al., 2012). They feel an intense pressure, particularly if the goal had a significant impact on the outcome of the match (Seaton & Granell, 2011). Goalies may experience stress and hesitation due to the fear of repeating the same mistake during both matches and training. They tend to become highly self-critical and thoughts like, ”What if this happens again? What if my team loses because of me? Am I good enough?”  frequently occupy their minds. These mental struggles can make it harder to stay focused and maintain their confidence. Loris Karius, a professional goalkeeper, shared the emotional struggles he faced after making two crucial mistakes in Liverpool's 2018 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid, “My confidence was knocked in the days after and in pre-season, for sure. Everything I did was getting looked at. It was so extreme. It all got a bit too much. I was trying not to pay any interest, but you couldn't get away from it all. You still notice. People are telling you. I was getting confronted all the time” (Robertson, 2024).

From Setback to Comeback: Mental Strategies for Goalkeepers

A mistake does not define your game; your response does. Switch off, reset, and stay focused on what comes next by adopting the following strategies:

Use Breathing Exercises to Stay Calm
Deep breathing techniques improve concentration, regulate heart rate, and enhance oxygen delivery throughout the body (Migliaccio et al., 2023). They also help manage anxiety and stress by calming the nervous system (Migliaccio et al., 2023). Controlled breathing - inhale through the nose for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, and exhale through the mouth for 6 seconds - can be practiced anywhere: before a game, in the middle of play when the team is in offense, and there is time before transitioning to defense, or after a game. This technique helps you remain composed under pressure, enabling clear and confident decisions.

Utilize Positive Self-Talk
The way you talk to yourself directly impacts your performance. Replace negative thoughts with affirmations, like, “I am prepared,” “I am confident,”  or “I will make the next save.” The use of self-talk can significantly improve goalkeepers’ consistency and overall performance (Rogerson & Hrycaiko, 2002).

Practice Imagery
Before stepping onto the field, visualize your ideal performance. Recall making key saves, positioning yourself correctly, and overcoming challenges. Mental preparation strengthens real game performance (Perry, 2025).

Use Journaling to Reflect
After a game, take time to reflect and write about your performance. Note your strengths and weaknesses, identify what you can improve for the next game, and outline the steps you need to take to achieve that growth. This strategy helps you express and identify your feelings, while gaining control over your performance (Williams, 2020).

References 

• Kajtna, T., Vuleta, D., Dolenc, M., Justin, I., & Pori, P. (2012). Psychological characteristics of Slovene handball goalkeepers. Kinesiology, 44(1).
• Kristiansen, E., Roberts, G. C., & Sisjord, M. K. (2011). Coping with negative media content: The experiences of professional football goalkeepers. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 9(3), 295–307. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2011.623451
• Migliaccio, G. M., Russo, L., Maric, M., & Padulo, J. (2023). Sports performance and breathing rate: What is the connection? A narrative review on breathing strategies. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 11(5), 103. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11050103
• Otte, F., Dittmer, T., & West, J. (2022). Goalkeeping in modern football: Current positional demands and research insights. International Sport Coaching Journal, 10(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2022-0012
• Perry, J. (2025). Imagery. In J. Perry (Ed.), Sport psychology (pp. 94–96). Hachette.
• Pshenychna, L., Kondratyuk, S., Shcherbak, T., Kuzikov, B., & Kuzikova, S. (2019). Individual-psychological features of athletes of a football team depending on the game role. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 19(1), 166–172. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2019.s1025
• Rogerson, L. J., & Hrycaiko, D. W. (2002). Enhancing competitive performance of ice hockey goaltenders using centering and self-talk. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 14(1), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200209339008
• Seaton, M., & Granell, J. (2011). Distribution competence of a football club’s goalkeepers. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 11(2), 314–324. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2011.11868551
• Villemain, A., & Hauw, D. (2014). A situated analysis of football goalkeepers' experiences in critical game situations. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 119(3), 811–824. https://doi.org/10.2466/25.30.PMS.119c30z0
• Williams, J. M. (2020). Increasing awareness for sport performance. In J. M. Williams (Ed.), Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance (8th ed., pp. 176–188). McGraw-Hill Higher Education. 

Additional Reference

• Robertson, T. (2024, November 27). Loris Karius considering retiring after Liverpool Champions League final clanger he still hasn’t recovered from. The Sun. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/31958093/loris-karius-considering-retirement-champions-league-error-haunts-him/