Fantasy Football 101
Fantasy Football is a fun and addictive game. There are tons of guides to help you learn how to play and what you should do to win.
The list below is stuff you shouldn't do when playing Fantasy Football. These things will either screw up your chances of winning or will annoy your league so much that you won't be invited back next year.
The list below is stuff you shouldn't do when playing Fantasy Football. These things will either screw up your chances of winning or will annoy your league so much that you won't be invited back next year.
Don't Be The Fantasy Coach Who...
1. Pays The League Entry Fee Late
(or not at all)
You knew there was an entry fee when you joined the league, don't make excuses and turn into a deadbeat. That's one of the best ways to never get invited into a fantasy league again. You also risk your friendships with the commish and other coaches in the league.
If he's smart, your league commissioner will set a payment deadline before the season starts and boot you out of the league for not paying.
If he's smart, your league commissioner will set a payment deadline before the season starts and boot you out of the league for not paying.
2. Comes To The Draft Unprepared
Invest some time into preparing your cheat sheet before the draft. Then remember to bring it with you.
Plan your draft strategy ahead of time and be prepared to adjust it during the draft if needed.
Plan your draft strategy ahead of time and be prepared to adjust it during the draft if needed.
3. Drafts A Kicker Early
Anything before the last three rounds of the draft is too early. Yes, some kickers are better than others, but none are worth wasting a good pick on.
4. Bombards The League With Really Lame Trade Offers
There's nothing wrong with making a low offer and trying to get the better end of a deal. But no one will take you seriously if all you do is send out low ball offers and make ridiculous counter offers.
5. Forgets To Cover His Bye Week Players
Every NFL team's schedule includes a bye week. Every fantasy football roster shows when a player is on bye. Most fantasy sites allow you to set your roster for future weeks.
There's no excuse for starting a bye week player and guaranteeing yourself zero points for that position.
There's no excuse for starting a bye week player and guaranteeing yourself zero points for that position.
6. Doesn't Respond To Trade Offers
Another good way to annoy the other coaches in your league is to totally ignore their trade offers. You don't have to make a decision immediately, but at least acknowledge that you saw it and give the guy an idea when you'll respond.
If you plan to be on vacation or away from the computer for a few days, post a notice on the league message board. That way other teams won't curse you while waiting for a response.
If you plan to be on vacation or away from the computer for a few days, post a notice on the league message board. That way other teams won't curse you while waiting for a response.
7. Ignores What's Happening In The NFL
Injuries, lineup changes, arrests and changes in performance can happen quickly in the NFL. You need to know what's going on in the real game to effectively manage your fantasy football team.
8. Doesn't Think Long Term
It's easy to only focus on winning this week's game. Especially if you're trying to salvage a losing record. Remember to spend some time planning for the rest of the season.
How will I cover next week's byes? What will my match-ups be in the playoffs? Those are the types of questions to ask yourself each week. These are also good questions when evaluating trade offers.
How will I cover next week's byes? What will my match-ups be in the playoffs? Those are the types of questions to ask yourself each week. These are also good questions when evaluating trade offers.
9. Quits Managing His Team
You're 2-10 with 2 weeks left in the season. Clearly not making playoffs so why bother setting your roster each week?
1. Pride
2. The integrity of the league. You could play spoiler or otherwise affect the playoff seeding so do everything you can to win your last games.
3. If you give up near the end of the season, it's doubtful you'll be invited back again.
1. Pride
2. The integrity of the league. You could play spoiler or otherwise affect the playoff seeding so do everything you can to win your last games.
3. If you give up near the end of the season, it's doubtful you'll be invited back again.
10. Complains About Everything
The draft date, the scoring rules, your draft position, someone called you a bad name, your player got a boo-boo, your fantasy team sucks, your NFL team sucks...the message board is full of your whining. If you've got a legitimate beef, then air it. Otherwise shut up and play.
What is the biggest Fantasy Football mistake?
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Fantasy Football Fumbles...
What is the dumbest mistake you've made (or seen someone else make) playing Fantasy Football?
AllThingsMichigan wrote...
The first time I was in a fantasy football league I had a cheat sheet set up, but it was too short. Before I had made my first pick I was scrambling to figure things out.
Posted August 18, 2008
SusanVillasLewis wrote...
I had a football team once and (despite the fact that I was a reporter for the sports section) missed the fact that my QB(!) had gotten injured and I needed to use my backup. I also inevitably played the wrong defense every week. :-) Needless to say, that was my last year playing. I just couldn't get obsessive enough to make it worthwhile.
Posted August 02, 2008
by Mac33
This will be my 8th year playing fantasy football. Most of my teams were in very competitive 14 team leagues. (more)
