What's the appeal of Best Ball leagues? How do they work?

It’s the fantasy football season. Another season of exciting football is about to begin. If you’re someone who follows the fantasy football world closely, chances are you must have heard the word “best ball” thrown around a lot in the football circles. Best ball in fantasy football has seen a hockey stick rise to popularity in recent times.

But what exactly is Bell Ball? How does it work? What’s the appeal behind this? This page will have you covered on everything you need to know about best ball.

What is Best Ball in Fantasy Football?

As we mentioned earlier the concept of “best ball” has been gaining popularity and virality in the past few years. It is because of how it works.

In the world of fantasy football, the draft day is arguably the most exciting day of the season. Fantasy football managers use the football offseason to analyze and strategize for the upcoming season. Draft day is the time to put on a show.

As the season progresses, you will have to take note of the waivers, trades and setting up lineups. You will adjust your team depending on various factors from injuries to key matchups.

Here is where Best Ball comes into play. In best ball, your job as a manager is to only draft your fantasy football team. Once the draft is completed, your involvement with the team is done. There is no in-season management.

With the 2024 fantasy football season on the horizon, be sure to check out our free Fantasy Trade Analyzer to lock down your squad for the year.

How does Best Ball work?

Best ball is pretty simple. The fantasy football managers take the help of ADPs to draft their roster. Once this is completed, the role of the manager is done.

You do not need to worry about line ups and weekly starting lineups because the platform automatically adds the top performer in the lineup without benching the highest scorer.

While this sounds easy, there is something important to be noted. In best ball, because there is no option for in-season trades or waiver claims, the performance of your team depends on how well you draft. If the manager assembles a poor roster in the draft, that team is set up to lose.

Best ball drafts usually go up to 18-20 rounds and sometimes even more. This is done to provide stability and to manage the roster incase of player injuries midway through the season.

After the regular season is completed, the top teams in each league qualify for the knockout round, competing for a larger cash prize.

What is the appeal of Best Ball leagues?

Best ball leagues are growing in popularity for the very sole reason of “no in-season management.”

The process of roster management is completely automated. From waivers to trades to weekly lineups, the platforms make the decision. The fantasy football manager just has to assemble the team through the draft.

The reason why best ball is growing in popularity is because it targets the one aspect which a lot of football fans love to do, that is, draft.

As a result of this, best ball opens up a new window for football fans who believe in their expertise in drafting. It offers a no commitment experience because of the nature of best ball. And eventually allowing the fans to earn profits while engaging in different drafts.