In today’s world, we are increasingly fixated on finding more fun and creative activities to take part in. In the realm of sports, this trend is no different as more sports fans than ever are participating in fantasy football. In fact, a record-breaking 11.4 million managers played the game last season. With many people having high hopes for the 23/24 season, it is worth exploring some tips to follow when you are playing fantasy football.
The Basics
Firstly, Fantasy Football is a game where sports enthusiasts can play as a Fantasy Manager, with the ability to choose a team of real-life players. These Fantasy Managers will then overlook their players while they are scoring points for your team according to their performances in real matches. On top of this, getting involved in fantasy football is easier than ever with sites like DraftKings being one of the best places to play the game.
Not only is it incredibly accessible and convenient, but sports fans can also join any day and play daily fantasy football for free. Getting started with fantasy football is also straightforward as all you will require is a team of 11 or sometimes 15 real-life players who will be your representatives for each week of the season. You will be required to monitor these players as they score points that you should add up or take away to see how they place in a fantasy football leaderboard.
Tips to Thrive
One tip that you should follow when playing fantasy football is to familiarize yourself with the league rules. In fact, understanding the league rules will play a massive part in the drafting process. This means being aware of what PPR, half-point, and standard scoring as well as the weight of the scoring at each position. You should also be aware of roster positions as well as when the draft is and how much time you have between picks. Don’t forget also to determine whether it is a snake draft or an auction draft.
Furthermore, although it can be tempting to take plenty of risks when it comes to fantasy football, it is never a good idea to go overboard. It is important that you don’t take too many risks in a row, as you could easily end up in last place if they don’t pan out. For example, if you are picking a risky quarterback in the first instance, you should then opt for someone who is more reliable in the second round such as a wide receiver who is not prone to injury. However, even if you are new to fantasy football you should also never play it too safe as this could ultimately backfire. Striking a balance between risks and rewards is the best strategy to employ.
In addition, although we harbor preferences for certain teams based on our own individual tastes or even because of where we are from, it isn’t advisable to choose according to what team you usually support. For example, if your favorite team is the Green Bay Packers, you cannot solely stick to them based on this fact. Instead, it is better to hit the ground running with the best players every week even if they are from teams that you don’t necessarily like. Having a biased approach based on your preference for a particular team could have a negative impact down the line as fantasy football is all about individual performances by specific players unlike football in real life which encompasses a lot of camaraderie based on team efforts.
Moreover, if you are participating in fantasy football remember to only take a kicker in the last round which you can choose by taking an inventory of which players kick indoors or kick for high-powered offenses. On top of this, if you are thinking about picking players for your draft in fantasy football, it is also advisable not to celebrate too early about your picks so that you don’t harm your chances. A lot of people get prematurely excited about the draft party where people rejoice in the prospect of building a fantasy football team. However, you also need to remain vigilant when you are making picks as getting carried away in the spirit of football can lead to you making bad picks.
Overall, fantasy football is one of the most popular activities out there for fans of the sport. Whether you have a competitive mindset and want to win money, or you simply enjoy having fun with other like-minded individuals, there is no doubt that fantasy football has something for every type of football fan. If you are enthusiastic about becoming a fantasy football manager but aren’t sure about how to do it, make sure to do your research beforehand and stay alert when you are making draft picks. So, why not try out fantasy football today to see how you compare to other sports fans?
