Sports Analytics Glossary
Your comprehensive guide to sports analytics terms, metrics, and abbreviations
Assists (A)
A pass or passes that directly contribute to a goal. Up to two assists can be awarded on a single goal to the players who touched the puck immediately before the goal scorer.
Average Time on Ice (ATOI)
The average amount of time per game that a player spends on the ice. Calculated by dividing total time on ice by games played.
Blocked Shots (BLK)
The number of opponent shots prevented from reaching the net by a skater using their body or stick. A key defensive contribution that prevents scoring chances.
Clearances (CLR)
Successful attempts to move the puck out of the defensive zone, either by passing or shooting the puck to relieve pressure.
Corsi (CF)
Shot attempts including goals, saves, misses, and blocks
Corsi (CF)
Shot attempt differential including goals, shots on net, missed shots, and blocked shots.
Corsi (CF)
All shot attempts (shots on goal, missed shots, and blocked shots) taken by a team while a player is on the ice. A possession proxy metric.
Corsi For Percentage (CF%)
The percentage of all shot attempts taken by a player's team while they are on the ice. Calculated as (Corsi For / Total Corsi) × 100.
Defensive Point Shares (DPS)
An estimate of the number of points contributed by a player due to their defensive play. Uses goals against and ice time to calculate defensive value.
Even Strength (EV)
When both teams have the same number of skaters on the ice, typically 5-on-5. The majority of game time is played at even strength.
Even Strength Save Percentage (EV SV%)
Save percentage calculated only from even-strength situations (5-on-5). Removes the influence of special teams play on overall save percentage.
Expected Goals (xG)
Probability a shot will be a goal based on shot type, distance, angle, and other factors.
Expected Goals Against (xGA)
The number of goals a team would be expected to allow based on the quality and quantity of opponent scoring chances while a player is on ice.
Expected Goals For (xGF)
The number of goals a team would be expected to score based on the quality and quantity of their scoring chances while a player is on ice.
Expected Goals Percentage (xGF%)
The percentage of expected goals for a team while a player is on ice. Calculated as (xGF / [xGF + xGA]) × 100. Measures shot quality control.
Faceoff Win Percentage (FO%)
The percentage of faceoffs won by a player. Calculated as (Faceoffs Won / Total Faceoffs) × 100. Critical for gaining puck possession.
Fenwick (FF)
Shot attempts excluding blocked shots
Fenwick (FF)
Shot attempt differential excluding blocked shots.
Fenwick (FF)
All unblocked shot attempts (shots on goal and missed shots) while a player is on ice. Similar to Corsi but excludes blocked shots.
Fenwick For Percentage (FF%)
The percentage of all unblocked shot attempts taken by a player's team while on ice. Calculated as (Fenwick For / Total Fenwick) × 100.
Game-Winning Goals (GWG)
The goal that proves to be one more than the opposing team's final total. Credited to the player who scored what becomes the decisive goal.
Games Started (GS)
The number of games in which a goaltender was on the ice for the opening faceoff. Indicates the primary starting goaltender.
Giveaways (GV)
Instances where a player loses possession of the puck through an unforced error, poor pass, or mishap that directly leads to opponent possession.
Goals (G)
The total number of goals scored by a player. A goal is awarded when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar.
Goals Above Replacement (GAR)
The number of goals a player contributes above what a replacement-level player would contribute in the same ice time. Measures total player value.
Goals Against (GA)
The total number of goals allowed by a goaltender while on the ice. Used to calculate GAA and other performance metrics.
Goals Against Average (GAA)
The average number of goals a goaltender allows per 60 minutes of ice time. Calculated as (Goals Against × 60) / Minutes Played.
Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA)
The number of goals a goaltender has prevented compared to a league-average goaltender facing the same number of shots. Positive values indicate above-average performance.
Hat Trick (HT)
When a player scores three or more goals in a single game. A natural hat trick occurs when all three goals are scored consecutively without other players scoring.
High-Danger Save Percentage (HDSV%)
Save percentage on shots from high-danger areas (slot, crease). Measures a goaltender's ability to make difficult saves in the most dangerous scoring areas.
Hits (HIT)
Physical contact initiated by a player to separate an opponent from the puck. Must be body-to-body contact to count as a hit.
Icing (ICE)
An infraction called when a player shoots the puck from behind center ice across the opposing goal line without it being touched. Results in a defensive zone faceoff.
Offside (OFF)
A violation that occurs when an attacking player enters the offensive zone before the puck. The puck must completely cross the blue line before attacking players.
Overtime (OT)
An additional period played when the game is tied after regulation. NHL regular season overtime is 3-on-3 for 5 minutes, followed by a shootout if necessary.
PDO (PDO)
Team shooting percentage plus save percentage, indicates luck
PDO (PDO)
Sum of on-ice shooting percentage and save percentage, used to measure luck.
PDO (PDO)
The sum of a team's shooting percentage and save percentage at even strength while a player is on ice. Values far from 100 typically regress to the mean.
Penalty Kill (PK)
The situation when a team is playing with fewer players due to a penalty. Also refers to the percentage of opponent power plays successfully defended.
Penalty Minutes (PIM)
The total number of minutes a player has spent in the penalty box. Includes minor (2 min), major (5 min), misconduct (10 min), and match penalties.
Plus/Minus (+/-)
The difference between goals scored for and against while a player is on the ice at even strength or short-handed. A positive number indicates the team scored more goals with the player on ice.
Points (PTS)
The sum of a player's goals and assists. This is the primary offensive statistic used to measure a player's overall scoring production.
Points Per Game (P/GP)
The average number of points (goals plus assists) a player records per game. Calculated by dividing total points by games played.
Power Play (PP)
A situation where one team has more players on the ice than the opponent due to penalties. The team with more players has a significant advantage.
Power Play Goals (PPG)
Goals scored while the team has a man advantage due to an opponent serving a penalty. These situations provide increased scoring opportunities.
Power Play Save Percentage (PP SV%)
Save percentage when the goaltender's team is short-handed and facing a power play. Typically lower than even-strength save percentage due to increased danger.
Quality Starts (QS)
Games where a goaltender posts a save percentage above the league average, typically .913 or higher, providing their team a chance to win.
Relative Corsi (RelCF%)
A player's Corsi For percentage relative to their team's Corsi For percentage when they are off the ice. Measures individual impact on possession.
Save Percentage (SV%)
The percentage of shots on goal that a goaltender stops. Calculated as (Saves / Shots Against) × 100. Elite goaltenders typically maintain .920 or higher.
Saves (SV)
The total number of shots on goal stopped by a goaltender. Does not include shots that miss the net or are blocked by skaters.
Shooting Percentage (SH%)
The percentage of shots taken that result in goals. Calculated as (Goals / Shots on Goal) × 100. League average typically hovers around 9-10%.
Shootout (SO)
A tiebreaker format used when games remain tied after overtime. Players take penalty shots alternately until one team scores and the other doesn't.
Short-Handed Goals (SHG)
Goals scored while the team is playing with fewer players than the opponent due to a penalty. These are rare and momentum-shifting events.
Short-Handed Time on Ice (SH TOI)
The amount of time a player spends on the ice while their team is killing a penalty. Indicates defensive responsibility and penalty-killing role.
Shot Suppression (SS)
The ability of a player or team to limit the quantity and quality of shots against. Measured by comparing shots against when on vs. off ice.
Shots on Goal (SOG)
The number of shots that would have entered the goal if not stopped by the goaltender. Does not include shots that miss the net or hit the post.
Shutouts (SO)
Games where a goaltender does not allow any goals and plays the entire game. One of the most prestigious goaltending achievements.
Takeaways (TK)
Instances where a player legally takes possession of the puck from an opponent through active stick work or body positioning without committing an infraction.
Time on Ice (TOI)
The total amount of time a player spends on the ice during a game, measured in minutes and seconds. Indicates usage and trust from coaching staff.
Wins (W)
The number of games won by the goaltender who was on ice when the game-winning goal was scored by their team, regardless of time played.
Wins Above Replacement (WAR)
The number of additional wins a player provides compared to a replacement-level player. Converts GAR into team wins using run environment.
Zone Entry Success Rate (ZE%)
The percentage of times a player successfully carries or passes the puck into the offensive zone with possession. Higher rates correlate with offensive success.
Zone Starts (ZS)
The location (offensive, defensive, or neutral zone) where a player begins their shift. Defensive zone starts are more challenging than offensive zone starts.
Quick Reference
Common sports analytics metrics you should know
Baseball Metrics
- WAR - Wins Above Replacement
- wOBA - Weighted On-Base Average
- FIP - Fielding Independent Pitching
- wRC+ - Weighted Runs Created Plus
Soccer Metrics
- xG - Expected Goals
- xA - Expected Assists
- PPDA - Passes Per Defensive Action
- PSxG - Post-Shot Expected Goals
Basketball Metrics
- PER - Player Efficiency Rating
- TS% - True Shooting Percentage
- BPM - Box Plus/Minus
- VORP - Value Over Replacement Player
Football Metrics
- EPA - Expected Points Added
- CPOE - Completion Percentage Over Expected
- DVOA - Defense-adjusted Value Over Average
- PFF Grade - Pro Football Focus Grade