What exactly is Fantasy Football and how do you like it ?

Question

Thank you fr your answer and have a wonderful weekend! :)

Thank you, Patz! :)

But there are some things that I still don't understand...Do you watch all the games, to see how the players you chose played, or do you simply read the results, somewhere?

Do you (anyone) choose the players you think are the best, no matter which teams they play for, or only the ones who play for your team, or the teams you like?

Answer 1

Okay, Moon, my best (and comparatively briefest) explanation of Fantasy Football, which I LOVE and play every year, btw...

Fantasy Football involves the setting up of a league, whether with friends, family or perfect strangers (sometimes a combination) and then the critical -- and extremely fun -- drafting of a team. League rules and regulations vary but each person drafts a team of Running Backs, Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Kickers and Defense/Special Teams. Again the number of rounds/players picked will depend on the league.

You have to set your starting line-up each week and that, too, varies depending on your league. The most common template is 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 D/ST but there are many combinations (some leagues require 3 WRs, others have optional positions like RB/WR, etc.). I'm sorry but this will seem confusing to the uninitiated. You really have to play to understand, especially the nuances.

And what are some of those nuances? Well, speaking as one who has played for many years -- serving as league commissioner in many instances -- I can tell you that the initial draft is of critical importance and thus requires loads of research and preparation. This I do, faithfully, every season. One must also pay careful attention to weekly changes and updates -- Fantasy Football is not a static exercise! Injury reports are critical and one must keep a careful eye on bye weeks, waivers, free agents and trades.

I've been very successful with my fantasy teams over the years and much of that is due to hard work and preparation (I am also master of the waiver wire, which simply means I pay careful attention to which potential impact players are available -- and I grab them up for my team). Some people swear by making constant trades but I only trade when I feel the need and believe it will significantly improve my roster. Others like to keep their drafted line-up basically intact but that too can be dangerous, especially if struck by the injury bug.

Another critically important consideration is match-ups, not just which players are playing which teams but specific positional match-ups against strong and weak defenses and such, especially situationally. This is because the key to scoring points will come in how your individual players perform in a given week. In other words, a lot of this is pure dumb luck.

The scoring is roughly along the lines Patz laid out, though more complicated. You score points by touchdowns accumulated by your starting line-up, as well as field goals and extra points by your kickers and various statistical points registered by your defense/special teams (interceptions, fumbles, sacks, etc.). You don't necessarily have to understand all of this stuff to play and have fun but it helps to have an edge and be on top of things.

In answer to your follow-up question, it is best to select players (both in the draft and in your week-to-week line-ups) who you think will produce points for you, period. Do NOT get sentimental and draft players from your favourite team unless you feel sure they will produce for you. For example, my beloved Buffalo Bills are in rebuilding mode, hired the wrong head coach, have no legitimate starting QB, have a poor offensive line and a pretty weak defensive line and will basically suck this year. I will therefore draft few if any Bills -- because I am in this to win, baby! ;)

I know this is a lot to grasp for a newcomer to the game but I do hope this information helps. Please contact me if you wish to play. Yahell has a very good Fantasy Football game (I also play at NFL.com) and we could set you up if you wished. Mind you, I'd have to offer you pointers and such so you don't get swallowed up by the big-boys. Fantasy Football is fun... but it is also highly competitive!

Wow, I typed that all in one frenzied go and really enjoyed it. Cheers for asking! :)

Answer 2

fantasy football is a game played by everyday people winning and losing through the efforts of their favorite professional football players. according to wikipedia, fantasy football was first enjoyed in 1962.

any fantasy player chooses a team of 'real' nfl players to represent him (or her). if his players are successful, that is, they produce a higher number of touchdowns or other statistical totals (such as yardage gained or field goals made) than his opponent, then his team "wins" the game that week.

in a simple version of the game, if all my players get 7 touchdowns and all of yours get 8, then you'd beat me. of course there are much more complicated versions, but in a nutshell, that's how it's played, moon. i've been at it for 7 or 8 years. it adds stress but enjoyment to the nfl season. incidentally, fantasy hockey, baseball, racing and basketball are also wildly popular in the usa. but fantasy football is generally considered to be the most popular of them all.

where to get scoring information: i'm glad you asked. the internet has made the game much more enjoyable. you certainly don't have to watch the game to see how your players score for you. you can do what they did in the 1980s, and read the box scores in the newspapers on moonday morning. but far easier and more current is to let the internet do the work for you, and follow the action online while the games are taking place. instant scoring on many fantasy websites updates players' teams instantaneously. of course, it's so easy to get all wrapped up in the stats to the point that you don't enjoy the games anymore, but that's what some people like best!

so far as picking players, in most leagues, no two teams have the same nfl player. all league participants will draft players at the start of the season, often getting together over food and drink to make an occasion of it. teams will take turns drafting until they all have a full roster of players to choose from each week. some leagues allow teams to trade players during the season. each league has different rules, but to some degree, this is how the game of fantasy football works.

Answer 3

Fantasy football is when you draft players for your team and then get points for things they do like score touchdowns, complete passes, kick field goals, etc. You compete against other teams in your league. I don't like it much because i have better things to do with my time but if your really into football then i guess its pretty fun.

Answer 4

It's a blast, it helps keep you in the know about the rest of the league rather than your local team.