7 Essential Statistics Every Handball Coach Should Monitor

Goals scored and goals conceded tell you who won, but they don't tell you why. To actually improve your team's performance, you need to track the metrics that explain results. Here are seven statistics that every handball coach should be monitoring.

1. Shot Efficiency

What it is: Goals scored divided by shots taken, expressed as a percentage.

Why it matters: A team can take 40 shots but only score 15 goals (37.5% efficiency), while another team takes 30 shots and scores 18 goals (60% efficiency). The second team is getting higher-quality opportunities. Low shot efficiency often indicates poor shot selection, predictable attack patterns, or facing an exceptional goalkeeper.

Benchmark: Elite teams typically shoot between 55-65%. Below 50% suggests a problem.

2. Save Percentage

What it is: Saves divided by shots faced, expressed as a percentage.

Why it matters: Your goalkeeper is the last line of defense. Save percentage tells you how often they stop shots that reach them. A goalkeeper saving 35% versus 25% can mean the difference between winning and losing close games.

Benchmark: Professional goalkeepers typically save 30-40% of shots.

3. Turnover Rate

What it is: Number of times your team loses possession without a shot attempt.

Why it matters: Every turnover is a wasted possession and a potential fast break opportunity for the opponent. High turnover rates indicate technical problems (bad passes, catching errors) or tactical issues (predictable plays, forcing passes into coverage).

Benchmark: Track this relative to your possessions. More than 20% turnover rate is concerning.

4. Fast Break Conversion

What it is: Goals scored on fast breaks divided by fast break opportunities.

Why it matters: Fast breaks are the highest-percentage opportunities in handball. A one-on-one with the goalkeeper should be a goal. Teams that convert fast breaks at high rates gain an enormous advantage because they score easy goals and demoralize opponents.

Benchmark: Elite teams convert 70%+ of fast breaks.

5. 7-Meter (Penalty) Conversion

What it is: Goals scored from 7-meter throws divided by attempts.

Why it matters: Penalties are free opportunities. Missing penalties costs your team goals that should be scored. If your designated penalty taker is below 75%, it might be time to find someone else.

Benchmark: Top penalty takers convert 80%+ consistently.

6. Suspension Minutes

What it is: Total time your team plays with a player disadvantage due to 2-minute suspensions.

Why it matters: Playing 5 vs 6 is difficult. Teams typically concede more goals per minute while short-handed. If your team is collecting too many suspensions, you need to address defensive discipline.

Benchmark: Track both total suspensions and goals conceded during those periods.

7. Shot Location Distribution

What it is: Where on the court your team takes shots from (wing, back court, pivot, etc.).

Why it matters: Different positions have different expected conversion rates. If 80% of your shots come from difficult angles while you're ignoring the pivot, you're making life harder than necessary. Shot distribution reveals your tactical patterns.

Benchmark: Compare your distribution to your conversion rate from each zone.