A Beginner's Guide to Fantasy Football

Now that the 2009 NFL draft is over and the scent of summer football camp and pigskin is in the air; it is time to get out your pens and paper to get started on your fantasy football picks. As a beginner fantasy football player, it may seem a bit confusing and difficult. Here are a few rules to help you through the madness and excitement that is fantasy football:

Pay attention to the football section in the sports section every Sunday.

Normally in Sunday's paper, there is a list of all of the previous week's football games and player's statistics. You can use this information to help you with fantasy football trades and for counting points as well.

Pay attention to college and high school football.

Football players are normally third or fourth year college students. Every week Sunday's paper gives college football statistics as well as information on what team a college football player may be signing to. Keeping up to date with this information can help your fantasy football scores. Also, keep an eye out for high school football players too. Sometimes there are young men that are destined for the NFL and scouts are eager to watch and sign them as well. Once again, keeping tabs on high school football can help your fantasy football scores and statistics as well.

Know your fantasy football players, teams, and divisions.

Many times you will use a team's statistics as a way to keep score instead of just using an individual player's. If a player is traded in mid season and he is on your fantasy football team, you will have to check out that team's statistics to help you determine if you want to make a trade or if it will help your player.

The AFC (American Football Conference) and the NFC (National Football Conference) are divided into four divisions (north, south, east, and west) and contain four teams per division. This is especially important in fantasy football when wild card and playoff time comes around.

Know the different football positions and starting line up.

There are six different basic positions in football: quarterback (QB), running back (RB), wide receiver (WB), tight end (TE), defense (or defensive team; D), and kicker (K). This is very important to totaling up fantasy football points at the end of each week. Donald Driver (a receiver) and Brett Farve (a quarterback) will not acquire the same amount of points each week based on fumbles, interceptions, or sacks.

Don't forget about the coaches.

Coaches are the central part to every football team. They are the ones who basically create the plays that the team is supposed to execute. The background, quality, and effectiveness of a coach can also help you make great fantasy football decisions as well. You have some coaches that are known for creating unstoppable defensive teams or for grooming a Hall of Fame quarterback. Take note to investigate new head coaches, offensive coordinators, and other coaches that are traded or hired each week.

Play manager to your fantasy football team every week.

While looking over football statistics in the paper or on the web; make sure to compare statistical histories between your fantasy football player list and other players that aren't on the list. According to Mark Barnes, this can greatly affect your football lineup every week.

Surf the internet for fantasy football sites.

There are countless books and websites dedicated to fantasy football. Many websites, however, have more condensed and extensive information that is necessary to fantasy football players. Some of these fantasy football writers (both web and book) spend countless hours going over newspapers, websites, and magazines to help them get the right fantasy football pick or best trade for the week. Take note of some of their opinions and tips to help you with your fantasy football picks this year.

Get a fantasy football buddy.

No matter how simplistic some websites are, there will be some information that you just might not get. This is when you find a friend that is a more seasoned fantasy football player. Make sure this is a person you trust (because there can be a lot of money involved in fantasy football) and pick his or her brain for advice and tips on trades, cheat sheets, and score keeping. For some, this is a better way to learn how to successfully play fantasy football.

For more information on fantasy football visit the following websites:

Fantasy Football Strategy

How To Play Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football Success: Three Basic Rules (By Mark Barnes)
Betting Pro
Football Babble