Statistics Key

Check here how to read IFA League statistics... and keep up with floorball talk!

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Key:

For Goaltenders:

Goals Against Average (GAA) is a statistic calculated for goalies that shows exactly how many goals the goaltender allows over the course of one complete, 45-minute, IFA league game. GAA, of course, very much depends on the defensive performance of the goaltender's team, as well. Because of this, many people like to compare goalies with save percentage. Save percentage (SPCT) shows you what percentage of the shots the goaltender faces are stopped. This is not so dependant on the goalie's team. A few would see how many wins (W) a goaltender has achieved, because they are the main aim of any hockey team. A goalie who can get many wins on a bad team will be respected by many. But wins depend on your team's performance even more than GAA. But, for a general rule, there is no sure or fair method to compare goalkeepers.

Team Statistics:

• Breakaway -- An offensive rush where an attacking player breaks into the clear and has a one-on-one chance with the opposite team's goaltender. A breakaway is an exciting play, and usually a very good scoring chance.
• Center Line -- The line that divides the arena in half and is at the center of the playing area. The center line separates the playing field into attacking and defending zones for both teams.
• Crease -- Area directly in front of each goal. It is marked off with silver lines. Players who do not have possesion of the ball may not enter. The crease is the primary area where the goaltender works.
• Deke -- To fake an opponent out of position. You can deke a player or a goaltender. Dekeing a player usually means getting passed them with a "fool". Dekeing the goaltender usually means scoring a goal, totally "fooling" the netminder.
• Face-off -- The placing of the ball between one player of each team. The players attempt to win the ball over to their side. Winning face-offs is an essential key to winning a hockey game.
• Freeze the Ball -- Either when a goaltender gets possesion of the ball and holds onto it until a face-off is whistled, or when a player manages to stuff the ball against the rink boards and a face-off is whistled.
• Goal Cage -- Sometimes called a net, this is the actual "goal", a large metal framed box where the ball is shot into. The metal frame's back is enclosed with netting in order to catch the ball when it is shot in.
• Goal Line -- The blue line which run from the goal's post to post. The ball must completely clear the goal line to be counted.
• Hat Trick -- The scoring of three or more goals by one player in a single game. If the player scores three goals in a row without anyone scoring in between, it is a "natural" hat trick. Whn one player scores four or five goals, it is called a four or five goal hat trick.
• Kicked Goal -- When the ball is kicked into the opponent's goal. It is disallowed.
• One-timer -- a two player combo where one player makes a quick pass to another, and he shoots the ball immediately without taking it into his control. This gives the attackers a good chance to surprise the goalie.
• Penalty -- A punishment for a player when he breaks the rules. The player is forced to stay in the penalty box for one minute, when his team is forced to play shorthanded. This means his team is only allowed to put on two players, while the opponent gets three. The other team is said to have the powerplay.
• Penalty Box -- The area where penalized players serve their time.
• Penalty Shot -- A penalty awarded to a player giving him a clear shot with only the opposite team's goaltender to defend his cage. Ususally given if a player is fouled once he makes it on a breakaway.
• Pull the Goalie -- Replacing the goaltender with an extra forward. This maneuver occurs when a team trails by one or two goals in the final minutes of the game. It is an attempt at tying the score.
• Save -- A shot blocked by the goaltender that would have been a goal if not stopped.
• Screen Shot -- A shot taken when the goaltender's view is blocked by players between the shooter and the goalie.
• Slot -- Area immediately in front of the goal. This is where most goals are scored from, and where the most furious action takes place during a game. The slot is a good place to make a one-timer pass to.
• Split the Defense -- Player with the ball attempts to squeeze between the opponent's defensemen.
• Stickhandle -- To control the ball for some time in the arena.