Save percentage is the percentage of saves a goalkeeper makes to the number of shots made on the goal.
A higher save percentage is a sign of a goalkeeper that allows few shots into the net. A lower save percentage is the sign of a goalkeeper that allows a lot of goals into the net.
It is a common goalkeeper statistic and also used in ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, water polo, and other sports with a goalkeeper.
Formula – How to calculate Save Percentage
Save Percentage = Saves ÷ Shots on Goal
- A “save” is a shot on the goal that the goaltender stops. Do not include saves made during a shootout.
- A “shot” is a shot that directs the puck towards the net and is either stopped by the goaltender or goes in the net. The shot total does not include shots blocked by a non-goalie (blocked shots) player or shots that miss the net or hit the goalpost (missed shots). Shots from a shootout are not included.
- Do not include empty net shots to calculate a goalkeeper’s statistics as they are not on the field of play. Include empty net shots to calculate a team’s statistics.
Example
A goalie faces 219 shots and makes 155 saves.
155 saves ÷ 219 shots =0.708.
This goalie’s save percentage is 0.708, or 70.8%.
Sources and more resources
- Wikipedia –Save Percentage 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.