# Bump ranks

> Choose whether tied gymnasts cause the next rank to skip a number or not.

## Prerequisites

* [Configure individual score settings](https://docs.gymart.org/levels/individual-score-settings) or [Configure team score settings](https://docs.gymart.org/levels/team-score-settings).

## The situation

When two or more gymnasts (or teams) have the same score and the tiebreaker cannot separate them, they share a rank. The **rank method** controls what happens to the next rank number.

## Bump on Tie (default)

Tied ranks **skip** the next number. The next gymnast's rank reflects the total number of gymnasts ahead of them.

**Example with 5 gymnasts, top 2 tied:**

| Gymnast | Score  | Rank    |
| ------- | ------ | ------- |
| Alice   | 13.500 | 1st     |
| Bob     | 13.500 | 1st     |
| Carol   | 13.200 | **3rd** |
| Dan     | 13.100 | 4th     |
| Eve     | 12.900 | 5th     |

Carol is ranked 3rd, not 2nd, because two gymnasts are ahead of her.

## No Bump on Tie

Tied ranks **do not skip**. The next gymnast gets the next sequential number.

**Same scores, different result:**

| Gymnast | Score  | Rank    |
| ------- | ------ | ------- |
| Alice   | 13.500 | 1st     |
| Bob     | 13.500 | 1st     |
| Carol   | 13.200 | **2nd** |
| Dan     | 13.100 | 3rd     |
| Eve     | 12.900 | 4th     |

Carol is ranked 2nd because the system increments from the tied rank.

## Which should you use?

| Use case                                                 | Recommendation                                      |
| -------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Most standard competitions                               | **Bump on Tie** (default) - reflects true placement |
| Competitions where you always want 1st, 2nd, 3rd awarded | **No Bump on Tie** - ensures consecutive ranks      |
| Governing body rules specify                             | Follow their rules                                  |

## Where it applies

The rank method is set **separately** for:

* **Individual rankings** - Per-apparatus and all-around
* **Team rankings** - Team apparatus and team all-around

Both default to **Bump on Tie**.

## Related

* [How to configure individual score settings](https://docs.gymart.org/levels/individual-score-settings)
* [How to configure team score settings](https://docs.gymart.org/levels/team-score-settings)
* [How do tiebreakers work?](https://docs.gymart.org/tiebreakers/index)
* [How do I configure competition levels?](https://docs.gymart.org/levels/index)