1. What is Goals Against Average (GAA)?

GAA (Goals Against Average) is a statistic used in lacrosse to measure a goaltender's performance by calculating the average number of goals allowed per 60 minutes of play. It's a key metric for evaluating defensive effectiveness.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the GAA equation:

Where:

• \( goals\_against \) — Total goals allowed by the goaltender
• \( minutes \) — Total minutes played by the goaltender

Explanation: The equation standardizes the goals allowed to a 60-minute game (the standard length of a lacrosse game) regardless of actual playing time.

3. Importance of GAA in Lacrosse

Details: GAA is crucial for comparing goaltender performance across different games and seasons. A lower GAA indicates better defensive performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total goals allowed and total minutes played. Both values must be valid (goals ≥ 0, minutes > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good GAA in lacrosse?
A: In professional lacrosse, a GAA below 10 is considered excellent, while college-level might see GAAs between 8-12.

Q2: How does GAA differ from save percentage?
A: GAA measures goals allowed per game time, while save percentage measures saves per shots faced. Both are important for evaluating goalies.

Q3: Does GAA account for team defense?
A: While primarily a goalie stat, GAA is influenced by the entire team's defensive performance, not just the goalie's skills.

Q4: Can GAA be compared across different leagues?
A: Care should be taken as different leagues may have different offensive levels. Context is important when comparing GAAs.

Q5: How often should GAA be calculated?
A: For meaningful evaluation, calculate GAA over a full season rather than single games to account for statistical variance.