1. What is Goals Against Average (GAA)?

The Goals Against Average (GAA) is a statistic used in lacrosse to measure a goaltender's performance. It represents the average number of goals allowed by a goaltender per 60 minutes of playing time.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the GAA formula:

Where:

• \( Goals\ Against \) — Total number of goals scored against the goaltender
• \( Minutes\ Played \) — Total time the goaltender was in the game
• 60 — Standardized time (60 minutes = full game)

Explanation: The formula normalizes the goals allowed to a standard 60-minute game regardless of actual playing time.

3. Importance of GAA in Lacrosse

Details: GAA is a key metric for evaluating goaltender performance. Lower values indicate better performance. It allows comparison between goaltenders who may have played different amounts of time.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total goals scored against the goaltender and the total minutes they played. Both values must be positive numbers (minutes must be greater than 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good GAA in lacrosse?
A: In professional lacrosse, GAA typically ranges between 10-15. College lacrosse might see slightly higher averages. Lower is better.

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 metrics.

Q3: Does GAA account for team defense?
A: No, GAA is influenced by both the goaltender's skill and the team's defensive performance. It's best used with other stats.

Q4: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: This standardizes the statistic to a full game (60 minutes) regardless of actual playing time for fair comparisons.

Q5: Can GAA be calculated for a season?
A: Yes, sum all goals against and all minutes played over the season, then apply the same formula.