Advice to Newbies!
So You Want To Join a Fantasy Football League… Can You Spell Commitment?

For those “newbies” out there thinking about joining a fantasy football league, there is more to it than meets the eye. Are you working during the day, going to school at night (don’t forget cramming for the tests and PAPERS!), and trying to spend “quality” time with your family? You might want to think through some of these questions before you commit to your new “Cafe family”.

OK, I’m no expert; it’s just my first season with the Cafe. However, having watched the threads and participating firsthand in nine different leagues, I’ve witnessed the impacts of those suddenly MIA (missing in action for you non-military types!) team owners that we all thought were going to be dedicated members and frequent visitors to the Cafe and our leagues. As a co-commissioner, I can state that this is one scenario that really gets other league members (especially commissioners) hot under the collar. We hate to pause the draft to look for a new member because someone couldn’t even commit long enough to field a team! Fellow commissioners, did I hear you say Amen and Hallelujah?

So, here are a few pointers before you jump into the fire:

(1) Start out slow. Don’t sign up for every league with an opening. Plan on spending at least ½ hour a day per league, especially during the draft. This will allow you time to look at the players taken thread, and do a little planning before your next pick. Be prepared to get hit with some trade offers, or make some on your own. Finally, read the draft discussions… sometimes there is some really good insight/news into players/teams that you hadn’t heard or thought of yet. If you have to leave town or simply can’t make picks for a while, send your player/team wish list to the “commish” or a friend, they will usually make your picks for you during short absences to keep the draft moving.

(2) Understand the complexity of the league format you are getting into so that you can hit the ground running and be competitive. What is your team roster requirement? How many bench players can you have? Is there a salary cap? Are there contract lengths? Is the league an IDP, D/ST, PPR format? Is it a live or slow draft, or an auction?

(3) Use every resource you can find to learn more about fantasy football. The Cafe offers mock drafts, some of which are published at the Cafe as a “guide” for others to use. There are plenty of fantasy football magazines on just about any grocery store rack, newspaper stands etc… use them! While there are a lot of similarities, you will find that there are many varying opinions on which RB to pick in the first round first, how many WRs you should have in a PPR format, etc. By doing a little research, you will be better equipped to form your own opinion and make informed decisions on what your team is going to look like.

(4) Ask questions… there are plenty of folks on the Cafe willing to offer advice. Just look through the Cafe threads first and if you don’t see your question already posted (chances are it is), then make a thread and sit back and wait for the answer(s). You can also use the private message (PM) or email option… chances are you’ll find someone more than ready to lend a helping hand. Remember, the only dumb question is the one that is not asked.

(5) Finally, have fun but stay involved, and remain committed to your team and league.

Keeping these five pointers in mind won’t necessarily make you the league champion, but it will help set the stage for a mutually rewarding experience for you and your fellow league members. See you around the Cafe!

You can find the author posting as Tyeattolah in the Cafe Forums.

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