Completion percentage

Definition

Completion percentage is a statistic used in sports, particularly in football, to measure the accuracy of a quarterback's passes. It is calculated by dividing the number of completed passes by the total number of attempts, expressed as a percentage. This metric is essential as it reflects a player's efficiency in moving the ball down the field and can be a key indicator of overall performance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Completion percentage is often used to compare quarterbacks across different games and seasons, helping to evaluate their consistency and skill.
2. A higher completion percentage generally indicates better performance and accuracy, while lower percentages can suggest struggles in the passing game.
3. Completion percentages can vary greatly depending on the offensive scheme, the quality of the receiving corps, and the level of defensive competition faced.
4. Quarterbacks with completion percentages above 60% are typically considered effective, while those consistently below that threshold may face criticism.
5. Analyzing completion percentage in conjunction with other statistics, like yards per attempt or touchdowns, provides a more complete picture of a quarterback's performance.

Review Questions

• How does completion percentage serve as an indicator of a quarterback's performance in football?
  • Completion percentage serves as a key metric for evaluating a quarterback's performance by measuring their ability to accurately throw the ball. A high completion percentage reflects efficiency and skill in executing passing plays, which is crucial for advancing down the field. It provides coaches and analysts with insights into how well a quarterback is performing under various game situations.
• In what ways can factors like offensive scheme and receiving talent affect a quarterback's completion percentage?
  • The completion percentage of a quarterback can be heavily influenced by the offensive scheme they operate within and the talent level of their receivers. An offense designed with short, quick passes may naturally lead to higher completion percentages due to easier throws, while a scheme focused on deep passes might lower this metric if those attempts are often incomplete. Additionally, having skilled receivers who can catch difficult passes increases the likelihood of successful completions, whereas less capable receivers might result in lower percentages.
• Evaluate how completion percentage can be utilized alongside other statistics to gain a deeper understanding of quarterback effectiveness.
  • To truly evaluate a quarterback's effectiveness, completion percentage should not be viewed in isolation but rather alongside other key statistics such as yards per attempt and touchdown-to-interception ratio. For instance, a quarterback with a high completion percentage but low yards per attempt may be overly reliant on short passes, limiting offensive explosiveness. Conversely, combining high completion rates with significant yardage suggests not only accuracy but also the ability to make impactful plays. This multifaceted analysis helps coaches and analysts determine overall performance and areas for improvement.

Related terms

quarterback rating: A numerical value that summarizes a quarterback's overall performance based on various statistics, including completion percentage, yards per attempt, and touchdowns.

pass attempts: The total number of times a quarterback throws the ball during a game, whether completed or not.

yards per attempt: A statistic that measures the average yards gained per pass attempt, providing insight into a quarterback's effectiveness in generating yardage.