What is “shots per 90”?

Shots per 90” explains how often a player shoots in a full match, making it easy to compare attackers fairly across different minutes played.

Football statistics often treat every match-day appearance as the same.

A player who starts every match and a player who comes off the bench for just a few minutes can end up next to each other in the same table, even though their involvement is completely different.

One player settles into the match and builds rhythm, while the other might only see the ball a handful of times. On paper, both players get grouped together equally, which is unfair.

Shots per 90 is a statistic that shows how often a player shoots compared to the time they actually spend on the pitch, which makes it much easier to compare players objectively. Here’s what it means.

What does shots per 90 mean in football?

Shots per 90 is simply the average number of shots a player takes across a full match.

Instead of counting total shots over a season, the stat adjusts for minutes played. A player who takes shots regularly in limited time can be compared fairly with someone who’s in the starting 11 every match.

For example, a forward who plays fewer minutes but still takes plenty of shots will stand out. If you only look at totals, that gets missed. This is why shots per 90 is useful when comparing substitutes, rotation players, or anyone whose minutes change from week to week.

It’s also helpful early in the season. Goals can swing wildly over a few matches, but shot volume tends to settle down quickly over time. If a player keeps getting shots away, it usually means they’re finding their form, even if the finishes haven’t followed yet.

How is shots per 90 calculated?

The calculation itself is pretty straightforward.

You take the total number of shots a player has taken, divide it by the number of minutes they’ve played, then multiply by 90. If a player has taken 15 shots in 450 minutes, their shots per 90 figure would be 3.0.

Because it’s based on playing time, the stat updates quickly and doesn’t need a full season to become useful when comparing player form. You can easily work it out at half-time, somewhere between checking the scores and arguing about the referee.

Why shots per 90 is useful (and where it isn’t)

Shots per 90 gives a quick read on intent. Players with higher numbers tend to get into shooting positions more often. They’re the ones willing to take a chance, take risks, and test the goalkeeper.

It’s especially useful when goals haven’t arrived yet. A player might be short on goals but still shoot regularly, which usually suggests the chances will come if the pattern holds. Across a team, clusters of high figures often point to an aggressive style of play, with attacking runs designed to end quickly rather than slowly building-up.

But like any stat, this one has blind spots. It doesn’t account for shot location, defensive pressure, or how a chance was created. A hail-mary shot from distance counts the same as a close-range punt. That means a player can post a high figure by shooting from anywhere and everywhere without really worrying the goalkeeper. Another might shoot less but from far better positions.

Context still matters, so watching the games can help fill in what the numbers leave out.

How shots per 90 fits into modern football

Shots per 90 is often used as a starting point for tracking strikers and attacking midfielders that are in form, rather than being a conclusive stat that can’t be argued with.

Analysts use it to flag players who are consistently getting attempts away, while coaches look at it to understand attacking balance. Even recruitment and talent scouts use it to identify players who don’t shy away from shooting.

It doesn’t replace watching matches, but it helps focus attention on who is regularly involved in goal-scoring opportunities. Plus, for supporters, shots per 90 is a stat that’s easy to follow, track, and understand.

Watch the game differently with Match Bingo

Stats like shots per 90 change what you pay attention to. You start noticing who keeps finding shooting positions, even when nothing actually comes of it.

Match Bingo is built for that kind of viewing. It tracks the small moments that add up across a match, so there’s always something to follow beyond the scoreboard.

If you enjoy staying switched on for the full ninety, this is worth a look.

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