6-8 Performance Indicator

What is the Performance Indicator?

The plus-minus (+/-) metric evaluates how individual athletes impact game scores while competing. Created by Tony Azevedo and Maggie Steffens, 6-8 Sports developed water polo's inaugural version -- the 6-8 PI.

The PI is a weighted formula of stats that calculates the impact a player has on a game. It accumulates everything you did during a game -- both positive contributions (goals, assists, blocks, steals) minus negative ones (turnovers, exclusions, penalties).

Ranges are regularly updated based on worldwide trends. Note: 2M defenders typically have lower averages than attackers -- defenders should consider "average" scores as above-average performances.

The Formula

How the PI Works

Positive Actions

Goals, assists, steals, blocks, earned ejections -- all weighted by importance based on college coach input.

Negative Actions

Turnovers, exclusions, penalty fouls, missed shots -- weighted to reflect their impact on game outcomes.

Weighted Formula

Each stat is assigned an importance weight developed by consulting top US college coaches about recruitment priorities.

Your PI Score

The final +/- number shows your individual impact on the game, regardless of team outcome.

Access

Where to Access Your PI

📱

Mobile App

View individual game PIs in the 6-8 athlete app under the "Games" section, filtered by athlete. See your average PI on your profile homepage.

🤝

PI Match Up

Compare your PI against other athletes via the "PI Match Up" feature in the Activities section of the app.

📊

Scoreboard

View PIs for all athletes during live games on the 6-8 Scoreboard.

📈

Dashboard

Access PI data and analytics through the 6-8 Dashboard for in-depth performance tracking and reporting.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I interpret my PI?

The PI is an accumulation of everything you did during the game, both positive and negative. Review your contributions beyond obvious scoring -- a player might accumulate many goals but negatively influence games through other actions, or vice versa.

Why should I care about my PI?

It measures your individual performance and reveals areas for improvement. Unlike team-dependent stats, the 6-8 PI helps you understand what you did right or wrong regardless of whether your team won or lost.

Can I access the PI algorithm?

The specific formula is not publicly available as it evolves continuously based on global data collection and trends.

Does the PI differ by position?

Analysis shows that 2M defenders tend to have a lower average PI than attackers. Defenders should benchmark against position-specific ranges rather than overall averages.

Why are some PIs so high on Instagram?

Those combine multiple tournament games -- results are added together across all games in a tournament, not individual game scores.

How can I improve my PI?

Focus on defensive fundamentals for steals and blocks, minimize turnovers from rushed passes, reduce penalty fouls, and develop aggressive offensive confidence. The 6-8 Academy and Challenge programs are designed to help improve these areas.

The 6-8 +/- Performance Indicator