6-8 Game Stat Definitions

Below are the 6-8 standardized definitions for each game stat/ action. These have been made available to help you score and track stats on the 6-8 Game Desk.

Please note: It’s okay to overstat & create your own identity for what each stat is to you/your team. The below exist to help make all 6-8 game scoring as standardized as possible.

Goal

When the entire ball enters the goal and a point is given to the scoring team.

Types of Goals

Penalty: A penalty is called when a player is aggressively fouled in an area where they would have been able to score a goal. Any athlete from the team can take the penalty shot from the 5 meter line. If they score, one point is recorded.
6 on 5: Occurs when a player is excluded, one team is man up (powerplay) and someone scores a goal.
Counter Attack: When the defensive team gets possession of the ball and transitions to offense, if an athlete scores before the offense is set up, that counts as a counterattack goal.
Center: When a player enters between 5 meters and the goal line, and is in that area for more than 2 seconds in a vertical position, any goal scored is considered a center goal.
Drive: This type of goal is scored by a player that is moving to get open, usually receiving a pass, catching and shooting to score (in a horizontal position)
Natural: This is any goal that is scored that is not one of the above. This type of goal is usually an outside shot, shot after a foul or an individual move.

Assist

When an athlete passes the ball to another athlete who scores a goal.

Types of Assists

Counter Attack: During the transition from defense to offense, an athlete throws the ball to another athlete and within 6 -8 seconds that player scores a goal.
Center Entry: A player passes the ball to the center (at 2 meters) who then makes a move and scores the goal.
Drive Pass: In the front court, an athlete passes the ball to another athlete in movement, who scores the goal.
Zone: In a zone or drop defense*, an athlete passes the ball to another athlete who scores the goal, always from the outside position.
6 on 5: During the 20 seconds of a power play (6 on 5) a direct pass is made to a player who scores the goal.

How to understand the assist when it involves a penalty or foul. Two main scenarios:

A player is actively trying to get position at the foul line, either in a play or movement situation. When that player receives the ball, the intent is always for the player to shoot. This DOES count as an assist. Because the whole offense was geared toward getting that player the ball to score the goal.
The ball is passed to a player who doesn’t have the immediate intent to shoot. After realizing that shooting is an option, the player shoots and scores. This does NOT qualify as an assist. In this scenario it was not a team strategy to have that player score but instead was an individual decision.

*A type of defensive strategy where a player comes off of their player to protect either the center, a stronger player or as a team strategy.

Steal

When an athlete legally takes the ball away from another athlete or intercepts the pass that was intended for the athlete they were guarding.

Types of Steals:

Double Steal: When an athlete throws a pass to the center, the defender tips the ball and another player crashes to steal the ball. Both players were needed for that steal to happen and both should receive a steal stat on the game desk.
Creation of a Steal (6-8): While not official, 6-8 believes that if a player tips a ball and another player takes that ball, the player who tips the balls should also receive a steal.
Perimeter: When a player takes the ball from the player they are guarding, either by intercepting a pass or simply stripping the ball)
Ball Under: When a player pushes the other player’s hand under water with the ball. Note: an athlete can put the ball under water themselves, but once they are touched by their defender, it’s considered a ball under. Second note: a turnover is given to the player who pushed the player’s hand and the ball under the water.
Counter Attack: On the transition from defense to offense, a defensive player steals the pass, many times from the goalie or from another player trying to push the counter attack.

NOT a Steal

The clock is running down and a player dumps the ball or just throws it to the other team in order to control their defensive transition.
The player intends to throw a pass to an open player. It’s a bad pass and skips towards the goalie or the defender, who didn’t actively try to go out to steal the ball.
When a shot is taken and the player rebounds or takes the ball to gain possession.

Turnover

When an athlete loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted.

Types of Turnovers:

Bad Pass: When an athlete throws the ball intended for their teammate, but the pass is taken by the other team. The athlete that threw this bad pass gets a turnover.
Putting in Play: When an athlete does not pop the ball up (to put it back in play), after a foul or change or possession. Note: after a foul or change or possession (like shot clock violation) a player has 3 seconds to toss the ball up and put it into play. If they don’t, it’s a turnover.
Inside 2M: When a player goes inside the 2 meter line without the ball this counts as a turnover for that player, even though they don’t have the ball. Note: With new FINA rules, the same would apply but only within the short rectangular area between two meters and the goal. So technically wing players will now be able to enter the 2M area.
Ball Under: When a player pushes the other player’s hand under water with the ball. A turnover is given to the athlete who pushes the other player’s hand and the ball under, and a steal is awarded to the other player.
Center: There are three scenarios:

Ball is thrown to the center and immediately that ball is intercepted or stolen by any of the defenders. The player who threw the ball into center gets a turnover.
The player throws the ball to center, who touches the ball but doesn't have sufficient time to score a goal or pass the ball out. This is NOT considered a turnover for any player.
The ball is thrown to the center who has sufficient time, makes a move and loses the ball. The center gets a turnover.

Offensive

When an offensive player commits a foul on offense that results in a turnover.

Types of Offensives:

Protecting the Ball: While protecting the ball, the athlete is using their off hand to push the defender away (out of the water) in order to make a pass. This is considered an offensive.
Over-aggressive: While trying to gain position, a player commits an over-aggressive foul, such as swinging their elbow or arm (center), headbutting/ throwing head, or grabbing a player on top and moving them.
Duck Under: When a player on offense (trying to gain position) swims under the other player in order to try to earn an ejection or gain position.
Push Off: When a player pushes off (or kicks off) of a defender in order to be free.

Exclusion

When a defensive player commits an over-aggressive foul on the offensive player and the referee gives that player an exclusion/ ejection.

Types of Exclusions:

Triple Whistle: The referee blows the whistle three times which sends a defensive player to the box/out of field of play for :20 seconds (excludes the player)
Double Exclusion: Two players are both being very aggressive. In order to calm them down, the referee excludes both. Both players are kicked out of the game for 20 seconds and both are issued an exclusion on the game desk. Note: neither is issued an earned ejection.
Illegal Entry: When a player enters the game not in the correct way. Players must enter by starting in the exclusion box and swimming under the lane line (without touching it). Examples of bad entry include just jumping in or not waiting for the sub player to fully exit the field of play before you can enter.

Earned Exclusion

When an athlete’s defensive player is over aggressive and given an exclusion, the offensive athlete is also awarded an earned exclusion.

Penalty

Single whistle that leads to a direct penalty shot. This counts as an exclusion, but the player will stay in the field of play.

Types of Penalties

Red Zone: When a player in the red zone (between 5 meters & the goal posts) has a clear path to score and the defensive player inhibits them from scoring by grabbing the arm or committing an exclusion from behind.
Unaware of Exclusion: When an athlete is excluded by the referee but is unaware that they were excluded. They remain in the game and are issued both an exclusion and a penalty.
Interference: When an athlete is excluded and on their path to the exclusion area, they interfere with the play. They are awarded bothan exclusion and a penalty.
Illegal Entry: When a player enters the field of play before another player exits. Meaning one team has one too many players.
Illegal Time Out: When a coach calls a timeout (but they don’t have any left) the bench or coach is issued a 5 meter penalty and the other team awarded the penalty shot. On the 6-8 game desk, the coach is awarded the penalty.

Earned Penalty

When an athlete, while trying to score a goal, earns a penalty foul.

Types of Earned Penalties

Center: When a center receives the ball, turns their defender, goes up to shoot and the defender hits their arm from behind.
Post: During a power play (6 on 5) a player passes the ball to the post player who, while trying to score, is inhibited or pulled back by the defensive player.

NOT an earned penalty

A player earns an exclusion and the excluded player either interferes or does not exit the field of play. The offensive player is not awarded an earned penalty in this case.

Block

When a defensive player stops or redirects the ball, which prevents a goal from being scored.

Field Players

Regular: A defensive player blocks the shot by an offensive player with a body part, normally the arm/hand.

NOT a block:

When a player partially blocks or tips a ball but it still goes into the net (and a goal is scored).

Goalies

A goalie is awarded a goalie block when they have any connection with the ball off of a shot - even if it leads to out of bounds or a rebound goal. A goalie block can be as small as a fingertip touch.

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Yellow/Red Card

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