Rookie Training Camp Part 1: League Basics

This is the first in a series of posts that will become my Rookie Training Camp.  One of my main goals when I created Starting Fantasy Lineup was to teach new players to be more competitive and to help them make their decisions for the right reasons.  For simplicity’s sake I will only discuss the most common league formats and scoring systems.

How the League Works.

Your team will consist of (in the majority of leagues) Quarter Backs (QB), Running Backs (RB), Wide Receivers (WR), Tight Ends (TE), Kickers (K), and Defensive and Special Teams (D/ST). Note: you chose a combined defense and special teams unit, not individual players. Each week you can only “start” a limited number of players at each position, you will need to see the league commissioner for the specific details of your league. Generally speaking, many leagues have fantasy owners start 1 QB 2 RB 3 WR 1 TE 1 K and 1 D/ST.  Also, it’s common in many leagues to have what is known as a flex position.  A flex spot can be filled by multiple positions for example, RB/WR/TE.  Some leagues only allow RB/WR for the flex spot and others only WR/TE (again, the exact criteria will need to be obtained from your league’s commissioner).

Your fantasy league will likely run very much like the NFL in terms of “team” match-ups.  You will have an opponent each week and you will face them head-to-head to determine the winner.  When you set your starting lineup each week you will be picking the players who can potentially earn points toward your weekly total.  The amount of points a player gains you is based off of their statistics for that week.  The following is a breakdown of a Standard Scoring System:

Offensive Players:
6 pts per rushing or receiving TD
6 pts for player returning kick/punt for TD
6 pts for player returning or recovering a fumble for TD
4 pts per passing TD
2 pts per rushing or receiving 2 pt conversion
2 pts per passing 2 pt conversion
1 pt  per 10 yards rushing or receiving
1 pt  per 25 yards passing

-2 pts per intercepted pass
-2 pts per fumble lost

Kickers (K)
5 pts per 50+ yard FG made
4 pts per 40-49 yard FG made
3 pts per FG made, 39 yards or less
2 pts per rushing, passing, or receiving 2 pt conversion
1 pt  per Extra Point made

Defensive/Special Teams (D)

10	pts for 0 points allowed
7	pts for 2-6 points allowed
4	pts for 7-13 points allowed
1	pt  for 14-17 points allowed
0	pts for 18-21 points allowed
-1	pts for 22-27 points allowed
-4	pts for 28-34 points allowed
-7	pts for 35-45 points allowed
-10	pts for 46+ points allowed

3 pts per defensive or special teams TD
2 pts per interception
2 pts per fumble recovery 2 pts per blocked punt, PAT, or FG

2 pts per safety
1 pt per sack

After the NFL’s stats are final for each week (Tuesday mornings) a winner is declared.  At the end of the regular season the teams with the top records enter the playoffs, the number of teams that go through is determined at the beginning of the season by the commissioner of your league.

Are you worried yet?  Well you shouldn’t be.  Calm down, you don’t need to remember all this quite yet.  However, it is good to be aware of exactly how the points are calculated.

That’s the basics for how a fantasy league operates and in my next section we will discuss The Draft!