3 Rules for Winning Your First Season

The 3 Rules That Actually Matter

Forget complex strategies. Forget overthinking. If you follow these 3 rules, you'll beat most beginners and even some experienced players.

These aren't gimmicks. They're proven principles that championship teams follow.

Let's keep it simple.

Rule #1: Stay Active on Waivers (Every. Single. Week.)

This is the most important rule in fantasy football.

Your draft doesn't win championships. Your waiver wire moves do.

Why This Matters:

The #1 RB you drafted in Round 1 might get injured Week 5. If you're not active on waivers, your season is over.

But if you're constantly improving your team with waiver pickups? You can overcome any injury or bust.

What "Active on Waivers" Means:

Real Example:

Your opponent drafted perfectly. But they never touch waivers.

You drafted okay. But you make 3 waiver moves per week.

By Week 8, your team is better. Why? Because you adapted and they didn't.

The 15-Minute Tuesday Routine:

1. Check who's available (5 min)

2. Submit 2-3 waiver claims (5 min)

3. Review next week's matchups (5 min)

That's it. 15 minutes per week wins leagues.

Rule #2: Start Your Studs (Stop Overthinking)

The trap beginners fall into:

"My 2nd round pick is facing the #1 defense this week. Should I bench him for my bench player who has a good matchup?"

The answer: NO. Start your stud.

Why This Rule Exists:

You drafted certain players early for a reason. They're elite. Elite players perform even in bad matchups.

Example:

Christian McCaffrey vs the 49ers defense (tough matchup):

See the difference? Studs are studs for a reason.

When to Actually Bench a Stud:

That's it. Those are the only reasons.

Stop reading articles about "start/sit" decisions. If you drafted them in rounds 1-5, start them.

The Mental Shortcut:

"Would I trade this player for that player straight-up?"

If no, don't bench your stud for them.

Rule #3: Win the Volume Game

Fantasy football is about opportunity, not talent.

The most talented player on the bench doesn't score points. The average player who gets 25 touches does.

What is "Volume"?

For RBs: Number of carries + receptions

For WRs: Number of targets

For QBs: Number of pass attempts

The Magic Numbers:

Real Example:

Player A: Elite talent, but only gets 10 touches per game

Player B: Average talent, but gets 20 touches per game

Player B will outscore Player A most weeks. Why? More opportunities.

How to Win the Volume Game:

In Drafts:

On Waivers:

Example Stats to Look For:

Why Beginners Miss This:

They chase points instead of opportunity.

A WR who scored 2 TDs on 3 targets is NOT better than a WR who got 10 targets and 0 TDs.

The 10-target guy will score more long-term. TDs are random. Targets are consistent.

Bonus Strategy: The "Set It and Forget It" Positions

You only have so much time and energy for fantasy. Focus on what matters.

Positions to Obsess Over:

✅ Running Backs (injuries are common, replacements win leagues)

✅ Wide Receivers (depth matters, streaming is key)

Positions to Set and Forget:

⏸️ Quarterback (stream if yours is bad, otherwise just start your guy)

⏸️ Tight End (after top 3, they're all the same)

⏸️ Kicker (truly random, pick anyone on a good offense)

⏸️ Defense (stream based on matchups, never hold through bye)

Why This Matters:

Spending 2 hours researching which DST to stream is a waste.

Spending 2 hours researching which RB handcuffs to target? Smart.

Focus your energy on positions with the most variance and opportunity.

Putting It All Together: Your Weekly Routine

Follow this routine and you'll finish top 3 in your league:

Tuesday Morning (15 min):

☐ Check waiver wire for breakouts and injuries

☐ Submit 2-3 waiver claims

☐ Drop underperforming bench players

Wednesday (5 min):

☐ Check if you won your waiver claims

☐ Grab any leftover free agents

Friday (5 min):

☐ Check injury reports

☐ Set preliminary lineup

Sunday Morning (10 min):

☐ Check final injury reports

☐ Confirm starting lineup

☐ Make last-minute waiver pickups if needed

Sunday-Monday (0 min):

☐ Watch games and enjoy (no lineup changes allowed)

Total Time: 35 minutes per week

That's it. You don't need to watch 10 hours of fantasy shows or read 50 articles.

Be active on waivers. Start your studs. Target volume. Win your league.

Real Talk: What Beginners Get Wrong

❌ "I need to draft perfectly to win"

✅ Reality: Waivers matter more than the draft

❌ "I should bench my stud because of a tough matchup"

✅ Reality: Studs perform regardless of matchup

❌ "I need to trade to improve my team"

✅ Reality: Most trades are neutral. Waivers are more impactful.

❌ "I need to find sleepers and breakouts"

✅ Reality: Just target players with high volume

❌ "I should hold my waiver priority for the perfect player"

✅ Reality: Use it on clear upgrades. Don't overthink.

Stop overcomplicating it. Fantasy football rewards activity and consistency, not genius.