Fantasy Football Standard League

A standard league, sometimes referred to as a non-PPR league, is the most popular and basic form of fantasy football. The rules are standardized across all platforms as well as the scoring values, making it easy for a player to switch between different standard leagues each year. Think of a standard league as a league that is considered the original version of fantasy football.

Offensive players score points for yardage and touchdowns, while the defense as a unit scores points for sacks, turnovers, and keeping the opposing team’s score low. Special teams score points by kicking field goals, blocking field goals or punts, and returning kicks. Read on to learn more about the standard scoring system in fantasy football

Typical Scoring

The standard league is known for its basic scoring system, below is a chart that has fantasy point values for each scoring action.

How many players do you start in your lineup?

In a standard league you will start nine players every week. Those nine players are:

• Quarterback
• Running Back
• Running Back
• Wide Receiver
• Wide Receiver
• Tight End
• FLEX (RB/WR/TE)
• Kicker
• Defense

Along with the nine starters you will have a certain amount of  bench players (depending on your league). Most leagues include seven bench spots and one or two injured reserve spots.

Leagues

There are four main fantasy football league scoring types: standard, point per reception (PPR), half point per reception (Half PPR), and individual defensive players (IDP). Each offers a different way to play fantasy football. Below we’re going to compare PPR and IDP leagues to standard leagues. 

PPR

Of the other league types, the points per reception league is most comparable to a standard league. All scoring point values remain the same other than the addition of receptions counting as a point. An additional point is added for every catch a receiver makes. It is a small change, however, the league does become slightly more complicated as players that catch a higher volume of passes become more valuable.

Half PPR

Half PPR leagues are similar to PPR leagues, except instead of one point per reception, receptions yield only half of a point. This is the preferred scoring system for many leagues because it does not overexaggerate rewards for receptions, but still gives receivers who make a lot of receptions a boost.

IDP

IDP leagues are far different from standard leagues, as they include individual defensive players instead of the defense as a unit. The inclusion of defensive players contrasts against standard leagues’ offensive player only arrangement. IDP leagues are usually much more difficult due to having to manage and keep track of twice as many players. These leagues are usually only played by fantasy football experts. 

Should you join a standard league?

Standard leagues are an excellent place to begin your experience with fantasy football. They aren’t as complicated as the leagues discussed above (IDP and PPR). Standard leagues are a great way for beginners and experts to compete, as there is less complicated research necessary to win matchups.

FAQ