Fantasy Football is everywhere. Chances are, you’re the commissioner of a league (guilty), in a league (guilty), or your neighbor is and you just can't stop talking about it (guilty, guilty, guilty). So what does that have to do with dancing? Well, the following list covers some great rules for fantasy football that carry over to your dance program. This isn’t “Fantasy Ballroom”, but that would be pretty cool. So, until you can add the Bronze 3 Foxtrot on the ESPN waiver wire, we will offer this.
The 5 Rules of Fantasy Football and Ballroom Dancing
Rule #1: Draft For The Long Haul
Summary: Every great Fantasy Football player understands that drafting well is can be the difference between winning and losing. To draft well, you need a ranking system. When it comes to dancing, there is no difference.
Fantasy Football Rule:
You wouldn’t fill your Fantasy Football roster with just fast Wide Receivers.
Ballroom Dance Rule:
You shouldn’t fill your Dance Program roster with only Fast Dances.
Bottom Line: There are dances that are your “starters”, and dances that are your “reserves”. Add dances to fill both segments of your roster.
Rule #2: Just A Little Patience... yeah
Summary: You should never trade away an under-performing Running Back just because of a poor performance in week 1. That would be panicking.
Fantasy Football Rule:
Don't trade good players after one bad performance.
Ballroom Dance Rule:
Don't ditch dances that give you trouble. Learning how to dance takes a full season.
Bottom Line: Don’t put your dance shoes on auction just because you stepped on a toe or two. Learning to dance is a process, allow for it.
For more on the process of learning to dance, we recommend: Dance Progress Explained
Rule #3: Sleepers, Sleepers. Where’d you get those Sleepers?
Summary: Sleepers, in fantasy football, are the players that, maybe, hopefully, no one has thought of yet.
Fantasy Football Rule:
Great fantasy owners will have a sleeper or two stashed on their roster with the hopes of a big payoff during the season.
Ballroom Dance Rule:
Just like a great sleeper-pick, a dance you have stashed away in your dance program can be a winning lottery ticket when the time is right. You never know what the music is, so a sleeper pick helps you stay ready for anything.
Bottom Line: It's a good idea to develop a few dances you’ve never heard of before.
Rule #4: Play Your Studs
Summary: Sure, we want to find that sleeper pick that will show off your tactical fantasy football prowess, but let’s get real: you play your studs.
Fantasy Football Rule:
The players you will win your league title with are mainly comprised of the top 3-5 picks on your roster.
Ballroom Dance Rule:
In dance terms, your favorite, most practical, dances will be the most likely dances to show up in a public setting. When the action goes live, you will usually stick with the core 3-5 dances you feel the best about… even if you have to sit out a few dances.
Bottom Line: Don't be surprised if your favorite dances will get the bulk of the action on “game day”.
Rule #5: Know your Opponent
Summary: In Fantasy, knowing that your top ranked running back is going up against a poor run defense gives you more confidence to play that player.
Fantasy Football Rule:
Do some research on who your players are matched up against before you set your lineup.
In dancing, it's good to know your environment. The more you know about where you'll be dancing, the more equipped you’ll be when you show up. If you know it’s a live band that plays 5 minute swings, it would be good to brush up on some transitions, and work on how to conserve your energy. If you know the salsa club plays more than just salsa, then you can arrive armed with Merengue, Bachata, and Zouk.
Bottom Line: Every dance floor is like a Defense, how you prepare for it will determine your outcome.
Final Thought
The most important rule of fantasy football and ballroom dancing: Enjoy It.
Fantasy football is fun because of the strategy, but it wouldn’t become the phenomenon it is today if it weren’t social. Talking about the moves you’re making, the strategy you used, and your next opponent on your lunch break can be as fun as game-day.
We can enjoy dancing the same way.
When you know how to dance, the water cooler talk in our studio, in your home, or even in your workplace can be about the moves you’re learning, the strategy your teachers are using, the next place you’re going to dance on “game-day”.
Congratulations. You now have a winning ballroom fantasy team positioned for the playoffs.
You’re welcome.
