Fantasy Football 101
You belong here. This guide explains the game without the jargon wall: what fantasy is, how drafts work, scoring (incl. PPR), and how to manage your team.
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What fantasy football is (in one line)
You draft real NFL players to your imaginary team; when they do well in real games, you score points and face another team each week.
Where it started
Born in the ’60s with pen-and-paper scoring, fantasy exploded online in the 2000s. Today there are many formats, but the core is the same: build a lineup, score points, win the week.
League basics
8–12 teams, weekly head-to-head matchups. Typical starters: 1 QB, 2–3 WR, 2 RB, 1 TE, 1 FLEX, maybe K and D/ST. Bench holds backups.
Draft day
Snake: 1→12 then 12→1, repeat. Auction: bid from a budget. Draft gives you your base roster—you’ll tune it all season.
How scoring works
Core points
- Rush/Receive: ~1 pt per 10 yards, 6 pts per TD
- Passing: ~1 pt per 25 yards, 4–6 pts per TD, −2 for INT
PPR variations
- Standard: 0 per catch
- Half-PPR: 0.5 per catch
- Full PPR: 1.0 per catch
Your league’s settings page is the source of truth—peek there for exact values.
A simple plan that works
- Know your settings: PPR vs Standard, roster spots, # of teams.
- Draft: Prioritize WR/RB early, wait a bit on QB (in 1-QB leagues), draft TE early only if elite.
- Weekly flow: Set lineup before kickoffs, use waivers for emerging players, favor good matchups and full-time roles.
- Trades: Combine two solid players for one upgrade; balance positions.
- Playoffs prep: Peek at Weeks 15–17 and stash upside.
Quick glossary (no eye-rolls)
- PPR / Half / Standard: points per catch rules
- Waivers / FAAB: weekly add process / your bidding budget
- ADP: average draft position
- Handcuff: backup to your star RB
- Floor/Ceiling: safe minimum vs upside
- Stack: pair your QB with his WR/TE
You’ve got this. If you want a tailored mini draft board or help with your first lineup, ping us—we’re happy to help. 💜