how to calculate save percentage

2 min read 17-10-2024

How to Calculate Save Percentage: A Guide for Sports Fans and Analysts

Save percentage is a crucial statistic in many sports, particularly in hockey, soccer, and basketball. It provides a clear picture of a goalkeeper's or defender's effectiveness in preventing goals. But how is this percentage calculated? Let's break it down.

Understanding the Basics

Save percentage is calculated by dividing the number of saves by the total number of shots faced. The formula is simple:

Save Percentage = (Saves / Shots Faced) x 100

To understand this better, let's use an example.

Imagine a goalie faces 25 shots in a hockey game and makes 20 saves.

Saves: 20
Shots Faced: 25
Save Percentage: (20/25) x 100 = 80%

This means the goalie saved 80% of the shots they faced, a decent performance.

Variations Across Sports

While the fundamental calculation is the same, there are slight variations in how save percentage is used across different sports:

Hockey: This is where save percentage is most commonly used. Goalies are judged based on their ability to prevent shots from reaching the net.
Soccer: Here, save percentage is applied to goalkeepers, but it can also be calculated for defenders who block shots.
Basketball: This is a bit more complex. While there is no official "save percentage" for basketball, the concept is applied in terms of defensive performance. For example, a player might be credited with a "block percentage," which represents their percentage of shots blocked.

Why Save Percentage Matters

Understanding save percentage provides valuable insights:

Player Performance: A high save percentage indicates a strong performance by a goalkeeper or defender.
Team Success: A team with a goalie or defense that consistently boasts a high save percentage is more likely to win games.
Predictive Analysis: Save percentage can be used to predict future performance and evaluate the overall strength of a team.

Factors Influencing Save Percentage

Several factors can affect save percentage:

Quality of Opposition: Facing a more skilled offensive team can result in a lower save percentage.
Shot Placement: Shots from specific angles or types of shots can be harder to save.
Team Defense: A strong defense can reduce the number of shots faced by the goalkeeper, leading to a higher save percentage.

Beyond the Numbers

While save percentage provides a valuable quantitative measure, it's important to remember that it doesn't tell the whole story. Other factors like game situation, clutch saves, and the overall contribution of the player to the team's success also play a role in evaluating a goalkeeper's or defender's performance.

Where to Find Save Percentage Data

You can find save percentage statistics on various sports websites, including:

Conclusion

Save percentage is a vital statistic that allows us to evaluate the defensive prowess of goalkeepers and defenders. It provides a clear and simple measure of their success in preventing goals. However, it's important to consider the broader context of the game and the player's overall contribution when analyzing their performance.

how to calculate save percentage