Fantasy Football Points Explained: Read Your Rules Like a Pro

Most players lose before Week 1 because they don’t read the settings. The rules decide which positions matter, which players are safe, and which strategies actually win.

Table of contents

• Fantasy scoring basics
• Standard vs PPR scoring formats
• How scoring changes player value
• Defense and kicker scoring
• Use scoring rules to draft and set lineups

Fantasy scoring basics

Every league awards points for yardage, touchdowns, and sometimes catches, first downs, or big plays. The key is the trade-off: a player can score by volume (steady points) or by spikes (boom weeks).

• Yards: often 1 point per 10 rushing/receiving yards, and 1 per 25 passing yards.
• Touchdowns: usually 6 points rushing/receiving, 4 passing (but varies).
• Turnovers: interceptions and fumbles lose points (commonly -2).

Standard vs PPR scoring formats

These formats change how you should draft and which players you start in the flex:

1. Standard: no reception points; touchdowns and yardage dominate.
2. PPR scoring format: 1 point per catch; target volume becomes king.
3. Half-PPR: a middle ground; balanced builds work well.

Some leagues add tight end premium scoring or points per first down. Those rules push value toward high-usage pass-catchers.

How scoring changes player value

Instead of arguing about “best player,” compare what the rules reward. A high-catch slot receiver can outscore a touchdown-dependent runner in PPR. In standard, it can flip.

Rule change	Who benefits most	What it means
Full PPR	Target hog WRs, pass-catching RBs	Draft volume and weekly floor
4pt passing TD	Rushing QBs (relative boost)	Mobility becomes more valuable
Big-play bonuses	Deep threats, explosive RBs	Upside swings increase
TE premium	Elite tight ends	Scarcity at TE matters earlier

Two fast ways to read league scoring settings

• Find points for receptions/first downs and note them before you draft.
• Check negative points (INT, fumbles) so you don’t overrate risky players.

Defense and kicker scoring

D/ST and kickers can swing a week, but they’re hard to predict. Many experienced players stream them based on matchups.

• Defense: points often come from sacks, turnovers, and low points allowed.
• Kicker: some leagues reward distance (longer field goals = more points).

Use scoring rules to draft and set lineups

1. Draft players who match the rules: receptions in PPR, TD equity in standard.
2. Use tiers: when the last high-volume option is gone, the “price” jumps.
3. Set weekly lineups based on floor vs ceiling (safe points vs big-play upside).

For a draft plan that fits your format, start here: fantasy football draft strategy. For weekly decisions, use: how to set fantasy football lineup.

Author’s opinion: scoring rules are not boring admin details—they are the game. Build around what your league rewards, and your results will feel a lot less “random.”