Fantasy Football 101: How To Play Fantasy Football
So, you’ve been drafted… into Fantasy Football. Congrats. Whether it’s the office league or your friend begging you to replace Bill (poor Bill), you’re in for a ride of a lifetime. Welcome aboard, Rookie. Fantasy football has exploded over the years. It’s so much more than just picking players and setting lineups – fantasy football is a whole experience that makes every NFL game matter. Even if your favorite team is tanking, your fantasy squad keeps you glued to every catch, yard, and TDs like it’s the Super Bowl.
This guide will provide you with a crash course that I wish I had before my first season.
Our writing crew has done an excellent job covering individual topics for beginners. Still, I wanted one place where the entire journey, from draft day to championship week, is laid out for The FootClan from start to finish. I’ll link articles from the crew throughout the guide so you can take your research even deeper.
Trust me, the learning curve looks scarier than it really is, but every league champ started exactly where you are now.
But before we get into the lingo, rules, and scoring, here’s the most important thing: have fun. We’re managing fake teams full of real players with a million unpredictable outcomes. Injuries happen. Weird stuff happens. A lot of it is entirely out of your control. What is in your control? How you navigate the chaos. That’s where the fun comes in. Welcome aboard, Rookie.
First off, what is Fantasy Football?
Imagine this: you’re the general manager, AND the owner of your very own football team… but you don’t have to leave the couch. Bingo. That’s fantasy football. You get to build a team of real NFL players, essentially, and every week those players earn you points based on how well they do on the field. You are getting points for receptions, TDs, big plays, all of it. Even losing points occasionally, too. Your job? Outscore your friends by drafting smart, setting the perfect lineup, working the waiver wire, and pulling off sneaky trades. Just like the real NFL GMs do.
Before we dive in, I highly recommend checking out Caleb Leach’s article Explaining the Acronyms & Positions. Some of the terms I’ll use here might be totally new to you. What does PPR even mean? And why does everyone keep calling running backs “RBs”? Caleb’s article breaks all that down so you’re not lost before we really get going on this journey.
Now that you know what it is, the next step is figuring out how you want to play: FORMAT MATTERS.
League Formats:
I’m not here to reinvent the wheel – Matt Okada has already done so with his article, ‘ The Commissioner’s Guide to League Formats. ‘ It breaks down all the formats, settings, and play styles you’ll run into in fantasy football.
I will provide a brief overview of the main formats available and direct you to some of my favorite Footballers’ articles and resources for each one. Whether you want to learn about your league or explore them all, this is your one-stop shop!
Redraft: Think of this as a “one-and-done” league. You draft a brand-new team each season.
Dynasty: This is not the format for anyone afraid of commitment. You keep your entire roster year after year, basically running your own NFL franchise. The players you grab in the Dynasty Start-Up Draft? Yep, they’re yours for the long haul. The only way to shake things up is through trades, the waiver wire, or the yearly rookie draft—where you try to replace the old, retired, or “what was I even thinking?” picks from seasons past. (Looking at you, Skyy Moore… I’m still recovering.)
- Fantasy Football 101: How to Start a Dynasty League
- Fantasy Football 101: The Mindset of a Dynasty Manager
- Fantasy Football 101: 5 Tips for Dynasty Managers
Keeper: The middle ground between Redraft and Dynasty. You get to “keep” a set number of players from last year’s team before the next draft, and the rest of your players get entered back into the draft for everyone to choose from.
Auction: Fantasy football meets eBay. Instead of taking turns drafting, everyone starts with a set budget and bids on players. The highest bidder gets their guy. You can splurge on stars or spread your money for a balanced team.
- Fantasy Football 101: Using Your Auction Budget During the Draft
- Building an Auction Draft Budget
- Fantasy Football 101: Auction Drafts
Best Ball: Draft and forget it. No in-season management whatsoever. You draft your team, then never set a lineup. Each week, your optimal lineup is automatically selected—Bada bing bada boom.
SuperFlex: Where QBs finally matter. That extra starting spot can be any position—including QB—so loading up on two QBs becomes the norm. After all, they’re usually the highest scorers on the board.
Pre Draft Prep:
It’s almost draft day, and you’re ready to make some moves. But before you dive in, remember that a little pre-draft prep can go a long way. Think of it as stretching before the big game. With the help of the Ultimate Draft Kit, you can set yourself up for success. Let’s break down some of my favorite UDK features and some things you should do to prepare for D-Day. Remember, the more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s your turn to pick.
The UDK is OUT pic.twitter.com/nsOItrwADp
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) June 4, 2025
- Finalize your rankings: Make sure you know who you’re targeting and when. The Video Profiles, Baller’s Rankings, Sleepers, Breakouts, Busts, and Values are GOLD.
- Check ADP (Average Draft Position): See where players are typically being taken so you can plan ahead. You can get an edge by using the UDK – ADP Comparison tool, which allows you to compare ADP across Sleeper, ESPN, Yahoo, and Underdog.
- Stay on top of the news: Last-minute injuries or depth chart changes can shake things up fast! Don’t draft a guy who just got demoted! (Brian Robinson, we’re talking about you!)
Mock drafts are your rehearsal. They allow you to test different strategies, learn about average draft positions (ADP), and get comfortable making quick decisions. The more practice you do now, the less panicked you’ll feel when you’re on the clock during your actual draft. Want to see how the Ballers get down in the mock draft streets?
Mock Draft Episode! Ballers vs Ducers edition 😎 #FantasyFootball
Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/wsvMmL0eGE
Spotify: https://t.co/BDx8bAuq6A
Watch on YouTube: https://t.co/WOLNsv6L5zhttps://t.co/tyrDJIvtBR— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) August 14, 2025
NOW It’s Time To Draft A Team!
Most would call this the funnest part of fantasy football. You can do a draft online, but there’s nothing like an in-person live draft with your gang – we’re talking food, smack talk, and snipes (that’s when you take a player in the draft that someone drafting next wanted… usually resulting in audible groans, name-calling, or panic).
Thinking about throwing a Baller live draft of your own? I’ve got you covered there as well: Fantasy Football 101: How to Host Baller Live.
If you want to know How to Not Look Like a Fool at Your Draft, Chris Cash recommends knowing your S.T.A.R. settings:
Scoring format: Is it PPR? Half-PPR? Standard (no points for catches)?
Teams in the League: 8, 10, 12, 14+?
Active Roster Setup: How many starters are at each position? FLEX spots?
Rounds in the Draft: 15? 18? 20+?
Know Your Scoring & Roster Settings… It’s Everything!
If you want to crush your league, you have to understand your scoring rules and roster setup before draft day. Think about it:
Scoring Settings:
- Full PPR (1 point per catch): players who rack up receptions (like slot WRs or pass-catching RBs) gain huge value.
- Half-PPR (0.5 points per catch): those same players take a slight step back compared to big-play threats and TD scorers.
- 4-point passing TDs: QBs, especially pocket passers, get pushed down draft boards since rushing QBs and skill positions gain relative value.
- 6-point passing TDs: QBs become more valuable, and you’ll see them drafted earlier.
- Bonuses: some leagues reward big plays, some reward game milestones (like 300 rushing yards reached) – make sure you’re accounting for bonuses when drafting.
Roster Settings: Your league’s lineup requirements directly shape your draft strategy.
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- Superflex leagues (where you can start a QB in the flex) = QBs fly off the board early. Expect 2–3 QBs to go in the first two rounds.
- More WR spots than RB spots = You’d better load up on WRs early to avoid falling behind. Ensure that you’re filling your roster based on actual need.
Bottom line: know your league’s rules so you can draft based on value and roster needs, not just the latest rankings you found online.
Once you’ve got your team drafted, make sure you get your Draft Grade from the Ballers! Not only will they give you a score for your draft, but you’ll also get a consistency rating, a full breakdown of your team’s strengths and weaknesses, and even an action plan for the season ahead. Plus, you can see how your team stacks up against the rest of your league. If you have the UDK+ and aren’t using the Draft Analyzer, you’re leaving a huge advantage on the table.
Managing Your Team In-Season
You’ve drafted an elite fantasy team. Now what?
Weekly Lineup Decision: It’s time to set those lineups! Let’s lock in. Most weeks, the core of your lineup won’t change much. Those early-round studs? Yeah, they’re staying put. You drafted them for a reason, and as long as they are healthy, they are the backbone of your team. But here’s the twist: injuries, bye weeks, and the occasional slump will shake things up. Suddenly, you are staring at your bench, wondering, “Who is going to fill in for Tee Higgins this week?” These weekly calls can win or lose you a matchup.
This season, I once again will be helping the Footclan tackle their toughest Start/Sit dilemmas with a weekly article where I break down the most-searched Start/Sit questions and give you my picks for who to roll with, so be on the lookout for that! You can also utilize the Baller’s Start/Sit tool to help you get an edge every week.
Waiver Wire: You build a strong foundation at the draft, but your team will evolve over the season. That’s where the waiver wire comes in. Think of it as the free-agent market for fantasy football: the place to scoop up players no one else has claimed yet. These “leftovers” can turn into secret weapons or even league-winners if you play it right. How do you work the wire? Waiver Wire Strategies and FAAB Strategies will teach you how to work the wire like a pro.
The Art of the Trade:
One of the most exciting parts of fantasy football is making trades. It adds a whole new layer of strategy and fun beyond just drafting and setting lineups. However, if you are new, trading can initially feel intimidating. How do you compare players at different positions? What about multiplayer offers, like two players for the price of one? Learning how to trade effectively can take your team to the next level in ways the waiver wire can’t. A good trade addresses roster weaknesses, balances your lineup, or allows you to buy low on players before they break out. The key? Don’t just focus on what helps you—think about what benefits the other manager too. The best trades benefit both sides.
- Evaluate What You Need and What You Can Give Up: If you’re loaded at WR but your RB room is in shambles, it’s time to deal from strength. Figure out which receiver(s) you can afford to move, then look for a team that actually needs what you’re offering. The goal is to match your surplus with someone else’s need, so you both walk away better than before.
- Open Up The Discussion: When you’re starting trade talks, don’t just blindside someone with a random offer. Warm them up first. A little “buttering up” goes a long way. Try something like: “your RBs are stacked—looking to move any of them?” or “I’m deep at WR but need RB help. Looks like you may be in the opposite boat. Maybe we can help each other out?” This shows you’re open to working together rather than just trying to win a trade. What always gives me the ick? When someone hits me with the lazy classic: “What do you want for [insert player]?” Like, I’m about to show my cards that easily. Instead, please send me an actual offer I can’t refuse, or at least one I’ll seriously consider. If you’re not ready to send a trade yet, even sharing a little context about what you are looking for or what you have in mind goes a long way.
- Send Fair Trade Offers: the goal of trading isn’t to “swindle” a league mate… It’s to strike a deal that helps both teams. If you keep sending lowball offers, all you’re doing is making people less likely to trade with you in the future. A fair offer shows you are serious and keeps the door open for future trades.
Need more tips on mastering trading? The Fantasy Footballers Staff has Five Tips for your Fantasy Football Trades that you must check out!
GO WIN THE LEAGUE!
Take the tips in this guide, learn as you go, and most importantly—enjoy the ride. Win or lose, fantasy football turns every Sunday into way more than just football. Welcome to the madness. And hey, if you need help with your draft or lineup decisions during the season, hit me up on X @bfoxworth07 or jump into the Ballers Discord. I’m always down to talk fantasy! Good luck this year!