What Is Effective Field Goal Percentage eFG% in Basketball?

You might hear terms thrown around at basketball games or practices like 'field goal percentage.' Maybe even effective field goal percentage, but what is effective field goal percentage eFG in basketball?

It goes deeper than you think because this metric gives credit where it's due. Traditional field goal percentage treats all shots the same, but effective field goal percentage (eFG) in basketball changes the way scoring efficiency can truly be measured.

• The Basics of Effective Field Goal Percentage
  • How eFG% is different.
  • How to Determine the Calculation
• Diving into the impact of Effective Field Goal Percentage
  • Why does effective field goal percentage matter in basketball?
  • What are the NBA eFG% Leaders Showing Us?
• Practical Application: Coaching and Player Development
  • Team Analysis and Strategy.
  • Is free throw eFG different?
• FAQs about what is effective field goal percentage eFG in basketball
  • What is the effective FG% in basketball?
  • Is TS% or eFG% better?
  • What is ts% in basketball?
• Conclusion

Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a basketball statistic that gives extra value to the 3-point shot because they are worth 50% more than any other shot. You make an and-one three-pointer versus a two-point shot plus one, it's now 4 points to 3.

Dean Oliver introduced this statistic, showing that traditional measures needed to step up to a more nuanced, fair evaluation.

Field goal percentage (FG%) is fine if we only care about getting an indication of two-pointers and the frequency they go in or out. The reality is that three-pointers offer greater impact on the game, even if not as commonly made. eFG% offers greater accuracy in showing value when using this calculation.

eFG% addresses the impact that three-point field goals have on scoring totals for players and team success. There is much higher scoring potential in making one 3-pointer versus one 2-pointer and a free throw.

To truly value what this stat is measuring, let's break down the calculation like this:

• For any made two-point field goal, give 1 point to that field goal.
• When calculating eFG%, it calls for a 50% increase in points, so give a three-pointer 1.5 points.
• Sum all these shots for points from two and three-point baskets.
• Calculate field goal percentage by taking points scored and dividing by a number of field goal attempts.

We should see a tangible result in percentage that goes beyond the simple calculation of standard field goal percentages by going through the process described. The output is more meaningful when comparing or predicting basketball success.

Imagine a close basketball game, with key plays coming down to strategic decisions by the coach. Which decisions are most effective when a coach chooses one player over another?

The impact comes from both making good offensive scoring decisions on shot attempts and shooting well. This is important as shots beyond the 3-point line must get their credit since they change the flow of the game.

Taking and making more point shots gives a team a high eFG that will impact success more long-term.

There is greater pressure with outside shooting because the reward can be far more massive. By making shots outside, this spreads defenses out more, which in turn creates more shots on the inside, since help-side defenses and rotations have to extend out further.

This can create greater predictability for offenses, helping coaches create more of an identity on that side of the ball. However, the downside is when we see teams live and die by outside shots when the shots just aren't going in.

It is helpful to track and study teams and players at the professional level to show their ability. Here are the current eFG% Leaders of the NBA during the 2023-2024 regular season.

It is sorted from most to least field goal attempts and shows the current leader.

Player Team Position eFG% FGA

NBA players are more frequently becoming 'specialists' in this generation by truly doing their 'own thing' better than others. In reviewing, some insights come to mind, from Daniel Gafford leading in regular season eFG, all the way to Grayson Allen leading from outside shooters, and Tatum near the bottom.

Many modern offenses include outside shooters or even offenses entirely. The impact and insights we get by using this calculation show even on 75-yard field goals.

The evolution has even started to show how well athletes can handle two sports. See one amazing player, Kicker Jonathan Kim of Michigan State, who can make a 65-yarder.

Beyond just the number crunching for points scored on each shot, consider the psychological aspect for team success and morale, knowing that this stat exists. Imagine making all your three-pointers against a team making only 2s, or the pressure this creates in high school teams with poor performance here.

For the advanced game analysts, there might be questions if free throws get calculated into eFG%, but the reality is no. A free throw is not a field goal.

But this metric creates opportunities in strategy to optimize three-point shots because more attempts and better shooting performance (= shooting effectiveness) give the best advantage. It comes down to math with two-point field goal attempts versus three-point field goal attempts. Imagine the value on each end of this by missing, only sometimes hitting them, making all of them, and having all different rates for each type.

Free-throw attempts are never part of standard field goal calculations. Even an airball, which would 'hurt' the traditional calculation, still impacts overall goal percentages on a positive level.

As we've now fully defined, free throws are completely separated from this. Only baskets created from action within the 3-point or 2-point field goal zones create value in effective field goal percentage (eFG) in basketball calculations.

Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals are worth more than two-point field goals. In effect, making a three-pointer is like making 1.5 two-point shots.

TS% and eFG% serve different purposes. eFG% measures shooting efficiency on two-pointers and three-pointers, only.

True Shooting Percentage (TS%) goes even more in-depth, to include the entire output with free throws factored in. Depending on what you are comparing, TS% and eFG% offer something for any coach or team to evaluate more holistically than just points or regular field goal shooting alone.

True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is a statistic that offers more holistic results. True Shooting goes one more step beyond and combines the shots with the total of free-throw makes also to give greater perspective, for a new combined percentage overall.

When we take a look at the game of basketball in this way, understanding what effective field goal percentage (eFG) in basketball is, changes approaches to both playing and strategy to win.

Hopefully, this gives perspective by having you consider beyond the traditional field goal percentages. What might a high eFG and a high free-throw percentage mean for overall point output when a player shoots?