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Rankings guide
How scoring works
NCGA uses an Elo-style rating system, similar to chess and competitive gaming, to rank athletes within each weight class.
The Basics
Every athlete starts with a rating of 1,000 points. After each recorded match, points are transferred from the loser to the winner based on:
- The rating difference between the two athletes (upsets are rewarded more)
- The method of victory (dominant wins earn more points)
Win Type Multipliers (K-Factor)
| Win Type | K-Factor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pin | 40 | Submission or pin — maximum points transferred |
| Tech Fall | 36 | Win by 10+ point margin |
| Major Decision | 32 | Win by 8–9 points |
| Decision | 28 | Standard points win |
| Default | 24 | Opponent unable to continue |
| Forfeit | 20 | Opponent does not compete |
The Formula
Expected score = 1 / (1 + 10^((Loser Rating − Winner Rating) / 400))
New rating = Old Rating + K × (Actual − Expected)
"Actual" is 1 for the winner, 0 for the loser. The minimum rating is capped at 100.
Example
Athlete A (rating 1,050) defeats Athlete B (rating 980) by Pin (K=40):
Expected A = 1 / (1 + 10^((980−1050)/400)) = 0.60
A gains: 40 × (1 − 0.60) = +16 pts → new rating: 1,066
B loses: 40 × (0 − 0.40) = −16 pts → new rating: 964
If B had upset A (lower-rated wins), the point swing would be larger — upsets are rewarded more.