|
A Quick Introduction to Fantasy Professional Football
Whether you already
know every professional football team and player like
the back of your hand, or you just want to learn enough
to look less blank when conversing with friends, family
or coworkers, fantasy football can enhance your NFL
viewing experience.
As a lottery commercial says, "you
have to be in it to win it". In order to join the
fun, you have to pick a "host", select your
preferred NFL players, and join or start a league.
You have a ton of options when considering
where to host a fantasy football team. Some of the most
commonly played "hosts" include CBS Sportsline.com,
SportingNews.com, YahooSports Fantasy Football and CDM
Fantasy Sports.
Depending on the host and league, you'll
play one of several formats. One requires an upfront
payment to enter your league, but doesn't charge you
for players you pick up during the season from a free
agent or "waiver" pool. Generally, the higher
you pay as your upfront fee, the larger your prize if
you win your league for the season.
The second format is free to join, but
will cost you for most or all players you claim off
waivers or as free agents after the initial draft period
ends. Generally, trades with other players are free
of charge. Be careful, though! Those trades can be costly
in another way you if you give away too much to get
that must-have player.
The most common formats allow you a
team made up of one or more quarterbacks, one or more
running backs, one or more wide receivers, one or more
tight ends and one or more defense/special teams (DST)
units. Depending on the league, you may play all of
your players at once or pick some players as "starters"
and assign others as "reserves". Only your
active players (starters} earn you points for that week.
You get points for their league-defined accomplishments
each week. What and how much your team will score will
vary from league to league.
Now you need players on your team, so
it is time for you to "draft" some. Using
your basic understanding of football, and drawing on
your NFL savvy, or some free or paid information sources
to review, you'll rank real NFL players before your
league draft. You may also be able to use the players
as "pre-ranked" by your host.
You'll also need to decide whether you
want the excitement and time commitment of a live draft,
or the relative ease and less time offered by an automated
draft. If you are a beginner, the automated draft is
highly recommended.
During the season, there are "BYE"
weeks, during which an NFL team and its players get
the week off to recharge. Real players also can be injured,
so you lose their productivity. On the other hand, you
and your team don't get any time off, so you'll probably
have to make trades and waiver wire moves to ensure
that you have a full, strong team playing every week.
Those are the basics. Now, it is up
to you to apply your special knowledge, instinct or
hunches, and "Win one for the Gipper". Before
your draft, you might want to challenge friends, family
members or co-workers who have similar skills to yours
to join your league. Some healthy competition can make
your fantasy football experience even more enjoyable.
1howto.com
--------------------------------------------------
Please
Share Your Tips with Us
|
