Josh Koop

College Comp. 2

Mr. Reynolds

2-17-11

Fantasy Football Prep

According to a post in Wikipedia, 15 to 18 million consumers play fantasy

sports and that number is growing at a rate of 7% to 10% annually. The biggest

fantasy sport by far is fantasy football. It is a game that is based on the performance

of National Football League players in their real games, but us as fantasy football

players, get points based on the players we picked for our teams.

Now fantasy football is not something that just anyone can pick up and play.

Some people think this is the case, but do not realize what all goes into the game.

Fantasy Football is a game that combines NFL knowledge and the way you predict

how players will do throughout the NFL season. Combine those skills with drafting

strategies and team management throughout 16 grueling weeks, and you might

have a winning formula.

The first step to winning in fantasy football is having a decent knowledge of

the sport of Fantasy Football. The rules are set up in a certain way so that the

scoring is decent. Touchdowns in real football are worth six points, but in fantasy

football there is some instances where throwing touchdowns are only worth four

points. This is something that will become a useful bit of information come draft

time. Having a vast knowledge of the NFL is not something that can be done in one
day; it is something that has to be accomplished throughout a period of time.

Checking sportscenter once a month is not the way to go, which will get you to the

bottom of the standings. Just keeping yourself updated throughout the off-season

will go a long way when you are assembling your team.

The next, and possibly the most important procedure to winning at fantasy

football, is the draft. This is the prime time for fantasy football managers. This is the

most hyped day of the season for them. This is when they will concoct the nucleus

for their season. The draft is just like it sounds, it is where all the managers for the

season get together and pick their teams for the season. Usually the order of the

draft is decided randomly, or if the league has been continuous, the worst from the

year before goes first. Whoever has the first pick gets to pick whomever he wants to

in the NFL. Then after everyone takes one person in the first round, the order is

reversed and everyone picks again, but in reverse order. This is continued until the

rosters for all teams are filled with real stars in the NFL.

After the draft, that is when the real test begins. Once you have your team

assembled you begin to tweak it. Throughout the season you will have to make

substitutions to your lineup, because of things like injuries, bye weeks, suspensions,

etc. One way to do this is to pick players on your bench and put them in your lineup

instead of your usual starter. Another method is to go to free agency, which is where

all the undrafted players go after the draft. To add the services of a player in free

agency though, you need to release one of the players on your roster to free agency

for anyone to acquire.

 One of the most unsung ways to be successful in fantasy football is trading.

Trading in fantasy football is just like trading in the NFL. Two owners who are

willing to swap players make a deal and the players are traded to the other owner.

The problem with this is that it generally does not work for one owner. Owners tend

to be very stingy with their players, and do not like giving up someone they like. Yet,

when two owners hammer out a deal, it usually ends up being a move that will pay

dividends for one team in the long run.

The other method that is underutilized in fantasy football is the waiver wire.

Waivers in fantasy football are somewhat confusing, but can be very rewarding. At

the beginning of game time, all players in free agency are put on waivers. This

means that no one can pick them up until the waiver time is over, which is usually

Tuesday or Wednesday of the next week. During this time, owners can put in a

“claim” on any player. This means that whoever has the highest claim on a player at

the end of waivers is rewarded with getting this player. Waiver priority is usually

reestablished every week, and whoever is in last place is usually awarded the best

waiver position. This is to try and keep some sort of balance throughout the season.

Now all the adding and subtracting of players can only get you so far in

fantasy football. The real way to win is to correctly place the right lineup every week

for your team. Matchups play a huge role in determining who plays for me

personally. I have to look throughout the week, and choose I predict will have the

best performances each week. This is how a lot of people either ruin or rejoice their

teams after it is all said and done.

 Overall, inning in fantasy football does take a little luck at times, but it is also

takes planning and cunning strategy. If someone does all these things well, from

keeping up in the offseason with news, to staying updated with injuries to your

team, you will have a good chance at success at the wonder that is fantasy football.