Fantasy football for beginners…is there such a thing? The air is crisp, the sunlight is golden, and pumpkin spice has taken over everything. Fall is finally here, but pumpkin spice and apple picking is not all that this season has to offer. Each week, Americans all over the country will devote their afternoons and evenings to watching American Football, either in sports bars, stadiums, or the comfort of their own home. The culture of football season plays a huge role in the day to day lives of Americans. If you have always been interested in trying your hand at fantasy football, this is the time to give it a try.
Of course, if watching the game is not enough of an experience for you, then fantasy football can make any game (and any team, for that matter) the highlight of your week! It is a wonderful way to spend time with friends, bond with family, and enjoy a popular pastime on your own timeline. If you would like to try your hand at a fantasy team this year but are not sure where to begin, then you are in luck! Keep reading to discover everything you will need to enjoy playing fantasy football for beginners.
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Fantasy Football For Beginners: Where To Start
If you want to play in a league of friends or co-workers, then the first step to playing fantasy football this year is to get your team together. In order to keep things fun, you will want to ensure that you have enough people to create 8-12 teams (8-12 people who create their individual teams). If this is everyone’s first time playing, then you may wish to have pretty low stakes. If you are feeling more adventurous, then a cash buy-in is an exciting way to get everyone engaged and excited.
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The next step is to decide on a fantasy platform. There are many options to consider when you are choosing your fantasy football platform, but the most common platforms are standard, or PPR (points per reception). PPR will make your running backs and wide receivers more valuable! The best platform on which to play fantasy football for beginners is one that will teach you about the team, the players, and the plays. You do not have to know everything when you are first starting out, and these different sites are really helpful for beginners!
Look Ahead: Consistency Is Key
When you are playing fantasy football, someone on your team may have a game on Thursday, Sunday, or Monday night. All of your players may play on the same day, or they could be spread throughout the weekend. Someone may have been injured during practice and as a result, cannot play on Sunday. While this game is fun and a great way to spend time with friends and family, fantasy football for beginners can feel overwhelming in the beginning. Paying attention to the status of your players before they play can help alleviate some of this stress.
Keeping track of each of your players, teams, and game schedule can seem like a daunting task, but practice makes perfect. Find time during the day to check ratings, scores, and the headlines in the sports section of your favorite news delivery service, and you will be doing yourself, and your team, a huge favor!
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Start Using The Language
It’s not all touchdowns. The language of fantasy football includes words that are not used in everyday conversation, and if you want to keep up with your friends and family this season, you will have to participate in this language. You will need to know about yards gained and the number of receptions. It also helps to know who your players are up against, and how that team has been performing.
For someone who is getting into this hobby in order to have a fun past time, playing fantasy football for beginners can all seem overwhelming, but don’t put your computer or phone down yet! Practice makes perfect, and the more time you spend planning your teams and watching games, the easier this will be. By the time the Super Bowl comes around, you will be speaking the language of American football like a pro!
Time To Play: Getting Started
Once you have decided who will be in your league and decided on a platform, you will need to hold a “draft”. This is typically done at the beginning of the season, and is a fun way to get friends together! Each person takes a turn filling positions (and bench positions) for their personal team. How many players to draft (fill) for each position is your choice, but the traditional combination of players to draft are as follows: two quarterbacks, four running backs, four wide receivers, two tight ends, two kickers, and two defense/special teams (punt and kickoff return) units.
Each week, you will need to create a starting lineup made up of these: one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one flex position (can be an RB, WR, or TE), one tight end, one kicker, and one defense/special teams (punt and kickoff return) unit. Any remaining players would be on the bench (the reserves). It’s important to have team members here because they can potentially replace injured players, players who are poorly performing, or filling positions on bye-weeks.
The team that you have created will earn points based on the individual performance of the players you have chosen. There are many different ways that points can be earned, so make sure you familiarize yourself with these before you place your players! The team (person) with the most points wins that week.
Fantasy football is a game that anyone can play. It gives friends and colleagues something new and exciting to talk about. It connects (and divides) family units at the dinner table, even through text and social media. You can share experiences and stories with a loved one or friend who lives in a different state, or compete with them head-on in a weekly competition to be the GOAT (Greatest Of All-Time).
Fantasy football is not just for sports fans, it’s for anyone who is looking for something different in their lives, and is a fun way to connect with the people they care about most.
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