Best Strategies to Win in Football Fantasy
By James Gardner
Believe it or not, some people actually find a bit more exciting, so much so that it has affected how people view football. According to some industry insiders, it has even made people 'better fans'. It has also made the industry of this sports much stronger. In an article that appeared on CNN.com, the part of fantasy sports that deals with contests is pulling in approximately $200 million a year. Other than that, the benefits of the games, such as fantasy football, are emotional. They are, after all, fun and a great way to get in touch with friends. You also have a great excuse to win. Here are some of the best strategies you can use to do just that:
Find out about your league's scoring system.
Not every league uses the same scoring system, so you'll need to know what you're supposed to follow. More points for a certain act like catching, for example, means you will find better value for a player who is good in this area. Find out what the scoring system values most so you'll know what type of points to go after. This will help you choose your roster of players.
Keep your information updated.
If you're keeping your money on rankings from newsstands, you might be caught with your hopes on figures that may not be relevant anymore come game time. Best review your local sports news, newspaper sports page or sports report online to find out which players are performing and if there have been any injuries you should know about.
This is especially important just before draft day, when you'll have to be sure which players are available for drafting. Make sure the figures will apply to the scoring system of your league.
Determine the position of your draft.
Usually, most leagues will use the snake draft (12-1 for even rounds and 1-12 for odd rounds). This will help you determine which players will be used for which draft position.
Choose a team you'll feel good with.
We all want the best ones but in fantasy football, that doesn't always happen, which is why strategies exist. Pick your RB's early on. RB's are the most important men on your team because a strong backfield gives you a better chance at winning. Most owners will go ahead and pick two Rib's right away in the first three of their picks.
This is helpful especially when you're facing a flex position.
After the RB's, pick your WR's. If you're hard-pressed between two players, it's probably better to pick one based on what he has proven he can do over what you believe is in his power to perform. Choose WR's in their sophomore or junior year who are in the top slot options.
Now comes your QB. Look for value immediately. Although only a few will come up as the juiciest picks, remember that there are other quarterbacks who can be valuable for your starting line. That is, unless a certain QB's value shines early on.
And lastly, form your defense and kickers. We recommend you pick these last because these positions are notoriously unpredictable in terms of performance. Pick these positions only after you've loaded up on your WR's and RB's.
Be flexible.
Your goal as the 'owner' is to constantly improve your team. By constantly, we don't mean making changes again and again. has its rules and what you'll be doing might be illegal. By improving, we mean keeping watch over any developments that might affect your score.
Trade if you have to but don't feel pressured to do it. Consider if the draft you're about to make will impact your team's performance in your league in a positive way. Make sure that when you trade, you get a better deal. Most owners are more willing to give up their star players if they are disappointed with the performance. If you want to make the trade, make sure that what you get in return is something that will turn out to be an advantage.
Always be on the lookout.
Complacency is dangerous in fantasy football. Review box scores frequently and find out which players are making their appearance in the free agent pool. Who knows? An excellent choice could suddenly be available for you to consider. Watch out for injuries as well. Keeping a close watch will help you pick up players at little cost.
Enjoy it.
Lighten up. Football is a great game and should be fun. Remember that there is still a small percentage of the game that requires luck. Use your strategies as best as you can to win but if you don't, hey, you've had fun. Besides, there's always next season.
James Gardner owns and operates http://www.fun-fantasy-football.com Fun With Fantasy Football
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