NIF Explained

NIF stands for Notional International Fencer and is a statistical index of how strong a competition is.

This index is used to weight the ranking points given for results in competitions - clearly a 10th place in a competition with 100 entrants, including all of the top 10 fencers in the country is worth more than a 10th place in a competition with only 10 entrants, all of whom started fencing last week!

The NIF of a domestic competition can be calculated as the higher of two figures. Either:

a) 25% of the number of entrants (easy)
or
b) The result of the following calculation (not so easy)

Start with the ranking list from the previous September or March, whichever is most recent. From a starting point of ZERO, add 6 points for every fencer who was in the top 10 of that ranking list. Add 3 points for every fencer who was ranked 11-20 and one point each for every fencer who was ranked between 21 and 50. The result of this addition is the NIF of the competition, assuming that it is higher than 25% of the number of entrants.

See example below.

Sometimes a foreign fencer enters a competition who is very strong, but does not have a UK ranking. They may be assigned a NIF value which reflects their proven level of ability, and thus add to the NIF.

The NIF of the British Senior Championships is multiplied by 1.2 to reflect the prestige of the event.

Without any foreign fencer entering, the maximum NIF is 120 (10 x 6 points, 10 x 3 points and 30 x 1 point) or if it is the Senior Champs, 120 x 1.2 = 144. This could be exceeded if the number of entries reached several hundred, but this never happens in the UK.

Example:

A competition held in June has 80 entrants. They include Andy, Bob, Charlie, Dave and Edward.
A quick look at the March ranking list shows that:

Andy and Bob were ranked in the top ten, and are worth 6 points each (12 points)

Charlie was ranked between 11 and 20 and is worth 3 points (12 plus 3 = 15 points)

Dave and Edward were ranked between 21 and 50 and were worth 1 point each (15 + 1 + 1 = 17)

Calculating the NIF this way gives a result of 17, which is LOWER than 25% of the entries, so the 25% calculation comes into play, giving 25% of 80, or a NIF of 20. However, if Dave and Edward had been ranked 11th - 20th, the calculation would have been 6 + 6 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 21, which is HIGHER than the 25% figure, so the NIF would have been 21.

Rough Guide to Competition Strength

NIF < 10 = a relatively weak competition

NIF between 11 and 40 = a middling competition with either a decent number of entrants, or attracting a few strong fencers

NIF between 41 and 70 = a strong competition

NIF over 70 = A very strong competition. Only a handful of events in each weapon have a NIF this high.