Let’s talk about maturity. A wise man once told me that maturity has nothing to do with age at all and can be best defined as a lesson learned. Meaning you had an experience, whether it was good or bad, and you actually accepted and absorbed the information and lesson from that experience. Life is hilariously not funny when it comes to teaching us lessons and fantasy football is even less hysterical. We’ve all been humbled in the painfully beautiful world of fantasy football right? We’ve all had devastating injuries to our first round pick, or been beat out for a great waiver wire pick up because your little brother has no shame, loyalty and clearly doesn’t mind using his waiver position to betray a family member! Sorry, I had to get that off my chest but the good news is that I suffered a lot so that you don’t have to suffer as much. I’ve learned a ton of lessons on the virtual gridiron and I know what it takes to be a winner at the highest level. That’s right I’m talking superbowls with an S, and yes I’m talking bragging rights. You’ve come to the right place to finally ball out and cash out in all of your fantasy leagues this season, so take notes and don’t argue with me cuz you dont wanna be that guy again this season. 

1. KNOW YOUR SCORING

Now we have to start from the very beginning in order to ensure our dominance this season and that starting place is for you to know your league’s scoring system. How can you possibly win in fantasy if you don’t truly know how to score the maximum amount of points? Check your leagues settings and be sure to not miss out on valuable points that can come from subtle bonuses players can earn. Don’t be the guy screaming at his phone trying to figure out how your opponent got 3 points for a 15 yard catch. It’s in the RULES. 

2. LEAVE YOUR HEART AT HOME

Real men have feelings and fantasy football is most certainly emotional, but you can not…. I repeat, you can not draft with your feelings. Drafting a bunch of players from your favorite team or refusing to add a clearly valuable player to your roster because he plays for a rival is a very good way to end up having to send a congratulations text to your annoying coworker. Trust me, your favorite team’s back up running back is not the right selection. Don’t be that guy.  

3. THROW THE DAMN TOWEL 

Hey I get it, you had a hunch. Better yet you had a sure thing almost. You did your research on the player and you even followed him on instagram. The coaches said in every preseason interview that he was a big part of the offense and that it would be a big year for him. Yet here you go in week 10 still playing him in your flex ignoring the fact that all he’s done is raise your blood pressure by 10 points. Admit you were wrong and move on. Sometimes you just have to take your medicine and as long as the fantasy season is, it can get out of hand and the playoffs can get beyond your reach if you suffer too long with a bad investment. Don’t be that guy! 

4. SELL IT WHILE IT’S HOT 

Trades are one of the most important and fun elements in fantasy football. They can make you, break you, save you, and sometimes make everybody hate you. Your roster at the start of the season will not, and should not, look exactly the same at the end of the season. If it does then you were a deadbeat owner to your wayward fantasy children. Knowing when to trade a player whose stock is high is key to molding a championship lineup. Players have hot streaks and sometimes those streaks last, but you have to know fools gold when you see it. Sell that guy that you know good and well is overachieving for a more consistent and less volatile addition to your roster. Be the guy who sold high! 

5. DANCE WITH WHO BRUNG YA 

It’s week 8, a big matchup with your rival who is currently in front of you holding on to first place in your league. You’ve made a couple of great waiver wire pickups and got your hands on some new flaming hot talent. Now the issue is that you’re in second place and if you play your cards right you’ll probably be in first place. Those cards are the players who have bled and cried for you for 7 weeks. When the pressure is high that’s not the time to start trying brand new backflips. You’ll break your own neck son! Start your studs every single time and especially when the chips are in the middle of the table. Don’t be the guy who flips the table over because he started a random slot receiver who had 20 points randomly the week before. Just Don’t be that guy!