Fantasy Football Terms to Know

Hey there, rookie fantasy footballers! So you've decided to dip your toes into the wild and wonderful world of fantasy football – welcome to the club! But before you dive headfirst into drafting your dream team and dominating your league, there are a few key terms you'll want to get familiar with. Don't worry, though – we've got your back with this handy guide to fantasy football lingo. Let's get started!

1. Draft: This is where it all begins – the draft is when fantasy managers select players to build their teams. You'll take turns picking players with other managers in your league until each team has a full roster.

2. Waiver Wire: The waiver wire is where unclaimed players are available for pickup during the season. Players become available on the waiver wire after the draft or when they're dropped by other teams in your league.

3. Free Agent: A free agent is a player who is not currently on any team's roster in your league. You can add free agents to your team from the waiver wire or by using free agency pickups.

4. Trade: A trade occurs when two fantasy managers swap players between their teams. Trades can involve multiple players and are often used to address team needs or strengthen weaknesses.

5. Starting Lineup: Your starting lineup consists of the players you've chosen to play in each position for a given week. This lineup will vary depending on factors like player matchups, injuries, and bye weeks.

6. Points: In fantasy football, points are awarded to players based on their performance in real NFL games. Different actions like touchdowns, receptions, and yards gained earn different point values.

7. Scoring Format: Scoring format refers to the rules used to calculate points in your league. Common scoring formats include standard scoring, PPR (points per reception), and half-PPR.

8. Bye Week: A bye week is a week during the NFL season when a team does not play a game. Players on bye weeks do not accrue fantasy points, so it's important to plan your lineup accordingly.

9. Studs and Duds: Studs are players who consistently perform well and earn lots of fantasy points, while duds are players who underperform and disappoint fantasy managers. It's all about finding the studs and avoiding the duds on your team!

10. Streaming: Streaming involves rotating players in and out of your lineup on a week-to-week basis based on matchups. This strategy is often used for positions like quarterback, tight end, and defense.

And there you have it – a crash course in fantasy football terms to help you hit the ground running in your league. So grab your lucky jersey, fire up your draft board, and get ready to tackle the competition like a pro. You've got this, rookie!