How Do Laterals Work In Fantasy Football

How Do Laterals Work in Fantasy Football?

Fantasy football, a game of strategy and luck, often leaves players scratching their heads over complex rules. One such rule that can cause confusion is the use of laterals. Understanding how laterals impact your fantasy team's scoring is crucial for victory. This comprehensive guide will clarify the often-misunderstood concept of laterals in fantasy football.

What is a Lateral in Football?

Before diving into the fantasy implications, let's define a lateral in the context of American football. A lateral is a pass thrown parallel to the line of scrimmage or behind it. Unlike a forward pass, which can only be thrown downfield, a lateral can be thrown in any direction but cannot go beyond the spot where the pass was thrown.

Key Differences from a Forward Pass:

• Direction: Laterals are thrown parallel to or behind the line of scrimmage. Forward passes are thrown downfield.
• Eligibility: Any player can legally catch a lateral. Forward passes can only be legally caught by eligible receivers.
• Distance: A lateral cannot travel farther down the field than the spot from which it is thrown. Forward passes can.

How Laterals Impact Fantasy Scoring

The impact of laterals on your fantasy football scoring largely depends on the specific scoring rules of your league. Most standard fantasy leagues do not award separate points for laterals. The scoring primarily focuses on the resulting play after the lateral.

Scenario 1: Successful Lateral Leading to a Touchdown

If a player makes a lateral that directly results in a touchdown (e.g., a lateral pass to another player who then runs it into the end zone), the touchdown will be credited to the player who scored the touchdown, not the player who made the lateral. You would receive the standard points for a rushing or receiving touchdown, depending on how the final score was achieved.

Scenario 2: Lateral Results in a Loss of Possession

If a lateral is intercepted or fumbled, resulting in a turnover, no points are usually awarded, and in some leagues, this could potentially hurt your scoring if the turnover leads to points for the opposing team.

Scenario 3: Lateral Leads to a Short Gain

If a lateral results in a small gain of yards, the yards gained will be attributed to the receiving player and factored into their fantasy point total using standard running or receiving yardage calculations.

League-Specific Rules: Check Your League's Settings

It is absolutely crucial to check your specific fantasy football league's rules. Some leagues might have customized scoring systems that do account for laterals in some way, albeit uncommon. Always refer to your league's constitution to ensure you understand how laterals affect your scoring.

Maximizing Your Fantasy Points: Strategy Considerations

While laterals themselves usually don't directly score fantasy points in most standard leagues, understanding them helps you interpret game outcomes. A successful lateral can lead to a touchdown, yardage gain, or a game-changing play that can dramatically impact a player's fantasy score.

Key takeaway: Focus on selecting players who are likely to achieve substantial yardage and touchdowns— regardless of how many laterals are involved in the plays.

This guide provides a clear understanding of how laterals function in the context of fantasy football. By grasping this concept and paying attention to your league's specific rules, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions and improve your chances of fantasy football success. Remember, consistent research and understanding of the rules are key to winning!