Regional or Departmental Track and Field Levels: Performance ≠ Qualification

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"I ran an R6-level 100m, does that qualify me for regional championships?" This is the most common question among athletes who are new to the FFA scoring tables (also known as the Hungarian scoring table or World Athletics scoring tables). The answer is often surprising: not necessarily.

This is precisely where track and field jargon can be tricky. There's a fundamental distinction to be made between performance level and qualification criteria.

1. Performance vs. Qualification

Performance Levels (R6, R1, N4…): A Value Label

The scoring tables (based on the World Athletics Scoring Tables, historically known as the Hungarian scoring table) assign points to each performance and then classify it into a level:

  • D1 to D7 — Departmental (2 to 8 points)
  • R1 to R6 — Regional (10 to 15 points)
  • IR1 to IR4 — Inter-Regional (18 to 21 points)
  • N1 to N4 — National (24 to 30 points)
  • IB / IA — International (35 / 40 points)

It's like a grade on a report card. It defines your athlete status with the federation and helps calculate points for your club. But it's not an entry ticket for a competition.

Qualification: The Right to Compete

This is the right to enter a specific competition (Departmental, Regional, National Championships). It depends on rules set annually by the Regional League, regardless of your performance level in the scoring tables.

2. The Two Types of Qualification Standards

For championships (Departmental, Regional, National), organizers generally use two methods:

Method 1: Qualifying Standards (A or B standards)

The League sets a specific time or mark for each event and age group.

Example: The qualifying standard for the Regional 100m is 11.80. You run 11.85 — you might be classified as R1 (a very good regional level in the scoring tables), but you don't meet the qualifying standard to participate.

Method 2: Qualification "by Ranking"

This is the most common system. Your level (R1, R6…) isn't considered; instead, the top X athletes in the region for the current season are selected.

Example: If the League takes the top 24 in the high jump and you're 25th with an R2-classified performance, you'll stay home, even if your level is "Regional."

3. The Paradox of the "R" (Regional) Level

The R level in the FFA scoring tables is an indicator of strength, not an automatic entry.

R1 to R3 — Often Sufficient

  • Almost always allow qualification for Regionals
  • The performance level is high enough to rank among the top regional performers
  • Often above the qualifying standards set by the Leagues

R4 to R6 — It Depends

  • Often insufficient in very dense regions (e.g., Île-de-France, Aura, Occitanie)
  • Too many athletes ahead of you in the rankings
  • Qualifying standards are sometimes more demanding than the R6 threshold
  • May be sufficient in less competitive regions

4. How to Determine Your Performance Level?

To find out if your performance is Departmental, Regional, National, or International level, use our World Athletics (IAAF) scoring table. It includes the official Hungarian scoring table used by the FFA, with all levels from D7 to IA, for all events and age groups.

You can also check out the pages dedicated to qualifying standards:

5. What Should You Do?

  1. Check the scoring tables to determine your current level
  2. Verify the qualifying standards or rankings for your Regional League for the current season — they are published annually on your League's website
  3. Work on your training paces to progress to the next level
  4. Use the race time predictor to set a realistic goal for your next competition

My takeaway: An R6 level means you possess the technical proficiency of a regional athlete according to the FFA scoring tables. But for competition, it's the qualifying standards or your annual ranking that determine entry. Don't confuse a performance label with an entry ticket!

Frequently Asked Questions

I have an R6 level, am I qualified for Regionals?

Not automatically. An R6 level is a value label in the FFA scoring tables. Qualification depends on the qualifying standards set by your League or your place in the annual rankings. In densely populated regions (e.g., Île-de-France, Aura), an R6 is often insufficient.

What's the difference between performance level and qualification?

The level (D, R, IR, N, IA/IB) is determined by the scoring tables (Hungarian table). It's a "grade." Qualification is the right to participate in a championship: it depends on your League's rules (qualifying standards or ranking).

What is "qualification by ranking"?

The League selects the top X athletes in the region for the season. Your level in the scoring tables is not a factor: only your ranking among other athletes in your region matters.

How can I find my track and field level?

Use our World Athletics (IAAF) scoring table to enter your performance and discover your level (D7 to IA). It's the same table officially used by the FFA.

For Further Reading