How to Play Fantasy Football

Thanks to fantasy football, you don't have to be 250 pounds and run the 40 in 4 seconds to get some great competitive action on the turf.

With week one of football season comes, "Start 'em - Sit 'em," evaluations. Fantasy football fans use this time to determine which players to start or bench. Lineup advice is typically based on a player’s overall ability, weekly match up and current health status.

It's never too late to join a fantasy league! Growing each year in popularity, fantasy football adds a whole new level of excitement to game days. These general guidelines and simple steps will help you learn to play fantasy football.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find a public league to join or create your own private league. Free leagues like the ones at sports.yahoo.com are great for beginners. Websites such as NFL.com and CBSsportsline.com allow you to create your own league (with your friends) and help you manage the rules and scoring for a small fee.

2. Research the players and performance forecasts. There are many online sites and magazines that give detailed statistics and information on players and teams.

3. Draft your fantasy team according to your league rules. Each league operates according to their own guidelines. Choose players for each position as well as backups from any NFL team in the league. You will want to choose the best players available. After the draft, there will be opportunities for trades and pick-ups.

4. Determine your starting lineup each week by what team in your league you're playing and take into consideration the opponent's of your individual players.

5. Score points each week based on the predetermined scoring system of your league. Most often, you will receive points for your offensive and defensive players based on things like touchdowns, tackles, sacks, catches and yards run.

6. Win your fantasy league by outscoring all the other players and winning match-ups each week.

Resources

• A rich resource for NFL statistics, player information as well as a fantasy league host
• A fantasy football league host where you can create your own, private league
• Fantasy sports tips and free public leagues

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[adecesare]

on 9/10/2009 So excited for football this year! Thank God for fantasy teams, though, because I'm only 110 pounds. I'd get crushed out there. ;)

[jenng]

on 9/10/2009 Great article on How to Play Fantasy Football 5*

[dorigillman]

on 9/10/2009 never knew about this!

[static404]

on 9/10/2009 I got my team and I'm ready to go. Thanks for the good tips.

[Fike]

on 9/10/2009 What a great idea! Maybe I'll take this up now that I'm middle-aged and no longer the quarterback. :)