Handball Performance Index: Data-based, transparent, fair!
Making the performance of handball players comparable - data-based and transparent. The Handball Performance Index (HPI) has been making this possible since the 2020/21 season. But how does the index created by DAIKIN HBL and Deutsche Kreditbank AG work and what exactly is it used for?
The Handball Performance Index, which was introduced for all players in the DAIKIN HBL in the 2020/21 season, serves as a transparent and comparable performance assessment of all players. Based on various statistics, a specific index can be assigned to each professional handball player.
HPI points as a basis for calculation
A basic distinction is made between HPI points and the HPI. The HPI points form the basis for calculating the HPI. The neutral starting value before the start of the game is 100 HPI points for all players. Based on this, positive actions on the pitch (e.g. goals, assists, saves) lead to plus points, negative actions (e.g. technical errors, missed throws) to minus points. The number of points per action is based on the probabilities of the previous season.
The following game actions are included in the calculation:
The tables provide an overview of the different game actions and which HPI points they mean. The points ultimately form the basis for calculating the HPI.
The calculation of the HPI
Until the 2021/22 season, the HPI was calculated exclusively from the sum of a player's positive and negative actions. The HPI was therefore ‘open’ at the top and bottom. Since the start of the 2021/22 season, this value has been converted into the current HPI using a formula.
Using a linear projection, the points collected are now mapped on a new scale.
(Points collected - average Min1%) x 50 / (average Max1% - average Min1%) + 50 = HPI
By calculating using the above formula, the HPI values are basically within a scale of 50-100. Until the 2023/24 season, the framework for this calculation was always the all-time minimum and maximum value achieved by a player since the introduction of the HPI. Each position (wing, centre back, goal and circle) has its own minimum and maximum value.
This sole minimum and maximum value was replaced in the 2024/25 season. In future, the average of the weakest or best 1% of all HPIs achieved will form the framework for the calculation. This makes the index less sensitive to extreme upward or downward outliers, which improves comparability between the various positions.
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