In lacrosse, GAA stands for Goals Against Average, a key statistic for goalies.
Understanding Goals Against Average (GAA)
GAA, also known as "average goals against" or "AGA," measures a goalie's performance by calculating the mean number of goals they allow per game. It's analogous to a baseball pitcher's earned run average (ERA).
How GAA Works
Essentially, a lower GAA indicates better performance, as it signifies that the goalie is allowing fewer goals per game. It's calculated based on:
- The total number of goals allowed by the goalie.
- The total number of games (or minutes played, depending on the league's standards).
Formula Example:
While the precise calculation method may vary slightly between leagues and levels of play, a general understanding is that GAA represents the average goals allowed per 60 minutes of play.
Importance of GAA
- Performance Evaluation: GAA is a primary metric for evaluating a goalie's effectiveness.
- Comparison: It allows for comparing goalies across different teams or even different eras, though factors like team defense should also be considered.
- Awards and Recognition: GAA often factors into decisions for awards and all-star selections.
