Goals Against Average measures the average number of goals the goalkeeper allows for each regulation game. It is adjusted for the minutes the goalkeeper plays.
A lower GAA is a sign of a goalkeeper that allows few goals during a game. A higher GAA is a sign of a goalkeeper that allows too many goals during a game.
Goals against average is also used in ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, water polo, and other sports with a goalkeeper.
Formula – How to calculate GAA
GAA = (Goals Against ÷ Minutes Played) x Game length in minutes of a regulation game
- “Goals Against” are the number of goals recorded while the goalkeeper is on the field. Include all goals against during regulation and overtime play. Do not include goals against during a shootout. Rules for what qualifies as a goal can be found with the International Hockey Federation.
- “Minutes Played” are the total number of minutes played by the goalkeeper. Include overtime play. Do not include the time the goalkeeper is playing during a shootout.
- “Game Length” is the regulation game length in the league the goalkeeper is playing. The most competitive field hockey leagues are 70 minutes of regulation time. Junior leagues often are shorter.
Example
A goalie is in net for 954 minutes, allows 25 goals in that time, and regulation time for the league they play in is 70 minutes per game.
25 goals ÷ 954 minutes = 0.026205.
0.026205 times 70 minutes per game = 1.8344
This goalie’s Goals Against Average (GAA) is 1.83.
More Resources
- Wikipedia – Goals Against Average (GAA) and Goalkeeper (Field Hockey) – Wikipedia’s relevant articles on GAA and Goalkeeping.
- FIH Pro League – The international league for Field Hockey.
- Player statistics from the FIH Pro League and NCAA.
- Rules of play for field hockey from the FIH.