WRITING THE SPORTS

STORY
Sports Writing
A specialized field of writing
which combine news reporting,
editorial writing and feature
writing, the content of which is
sports, athletics and physical
education.
 THREE TYPES OF
SPORTS NEWS STORIES
1. The advance story, sometimes called dope
or prognostication, builds up enthusiasm for
coming events. It may be a straight news
story, a background story or a prediction
story.
2. The coverage story is an on the spot
coverage of an actual game.
3. The advance coverage story includes the
information on a coming event as the first
part of the story.
 STRUCTURE OF THE
SPORTS STORY
1. The Headline
The rules in headline writing are followed.
Colorful but forceful words, especially verbs
are used.The following words substitute for
the word “defeat” – overwhelm, clobber,
rip, demolish, subdue, pummel, flop,
wallop when there is a big difference in
score; shade and nose to show a very
minimal difference and blank when other
team gets zero score.
 2. The Lead
It introduces the body and
summarizes the story. It is the hook
that catches the reader’s attention,
the dramatic summary of the
events for the reader who does not
have time to plow into details
 KINDS OF LEAD
a. The classic 5W’s Lead
It answers right away the questions 1) Who
won? 2) Against whom 3) By what Score 4)
Where/when? and 5) Why? The How
explains the play to play account of the
game.
Ex: The Gumarueng quintet poured 12 baskets
in the last three minutes to edge the Central
five, 69-64 at Don Sabas Gym,
Piat,Cagayan, November 12, 2008.
 b. The Key Play Lead

Which part of the game was most exciting ,

most significant and crucial
Note: Give the winning team the upper score.
Ex:
Rizal sluggers bombed Lasam batters with
five runs in the third inning to subdue a nerve
frazzling Lasam rally 12 – 10 as they clinched
the championship game during the VADEA at
Ballesteros, Cagayan, November 13-14.
 c. The outstanding
Player Lead
This is sometimes called the Hero of the
game Lead
Ex:
Ralph Bona of Region 02, after almost
five hours of battle over the chess board
copped the most coveted Palarong
Pambansa trophy after outwitting NCR
chesser Walter Uy in 27 moves of the
Sicilian moves.
 d. The Analytical
Approach Lead
Analyzes the outcome of the game. What
particular ability does the winning team have
that game it the winning score.
Ex:
Pumped-up CD2 played solid defense to
frustrate CD3 110-105 and arranged a winner
take-all contest on December 2008 for the
Provincial Meet at Tuguegarao City.
 3. The Body
After the lead, the other elements
in descending order follow.
a. Team and/or individual standing
b. Decisive plays
c. Best Score for the day
d. Play by play account
e. Quotation
 QUALITIES OF A GOOD
SPORTSWRITER
1. Must know sports rules, strategy, team and
players’ records
2. Must attend the game or meet as a reporter
not as spectator or cheerer
3. Must know coaches and players intimately
as possible
4. Must observe accuracy
5. Must be able to take down notes quickly
without losing the sequence of the play
 QUALITIES OF A GOOD
SPORTSWRITER
6. Must be fair and unbiased in reporting
7. Must not make comments without
supporting them with facts.
8. Must use the specialized language of
the particular sports that he is reporting
9. Must bear in mind that he writes for his
reader not for himself.
 GUIDELINES FOR
SPORTS WRITING
1. Take down notes.
2. Report the reaction of the spectators
at some point of the game. But this is
secondary.
3. Don’t devote the entire sports section
to just one game or just one sports.
4. Read a lot. Learn how other sports
writers practice their craft.
 SPORTS LINGO
1. When one team or player beats
another (regardless of margin or
manner of winning) beat, defeat,
trounce, outplay, outlast, blast, down,
mangle, prevail over, stop, trip, nose
out, frustrate, eliminate
2. When a team/player beats another by
a wide margin – blast, wallop, batter,
bury, crush, sweep, roll over
3. A team/player beats another by a slim
margin – nip, escape past, scrape past
4. A team/player prevails over a much
favored one or scores an improbable
win – upset, shock, overthrow,
dethrone, derail, come from behind
5. When a team/player wins a game,
tournament or championship – bag,
grab, seize, clinch, garner, take, secure,
capture, seal, nab
6. When a team/player loses – bow to,
fail, suffer defeat, take exit, miss trip

7. When teams/players meet for a game

or competition – battle, fight, tangle
with, face, clash with, test mettle of,
square off with, wage war against, forge
showdown with
 Athletics

1. Track events – sprint, hurdles, relay,

long jump

2. Field events – discuss throw, shot put,

javelin throw, hammer throw, pole
vault
BADMINTON BASEBALL
Home run
Play for serve
Inning
Smash
Diamond
Set
Bull pen
shuttler
Strike
RBG/batting average
 basketball
Rebound Fast break
Field goal/basket Best of three / 5 / 7
Quarter Overtime
Assist Regulation
Starting five Zone defense
Bench Man to man defense
Turnover Paint/shaded lane
Loose ball
 Billiards
Break
Combination
Corner pocket
Preparation
Carom shot
Trick shot
 Boxing

Jab RSC referee stopped contest

Straight Knock out (KO)
Cross Technical knock out (TKO)
Hook Pug/fistfighter
Head butt Under card
 Chess Golf
Openings Birdie
Gambits Eagle
Checkmate Fairway
Draw/stalemate Hole in one
grandmaster
 Volleyball Tennis
Dig Set
Spike Ace
Set Volley
Rally Rally
Wallop Set point
Fault
Swimming Cycling
Butterfly Lead pack
Breaststroke Massed start
Backstroke Peloton
Freestyle Green jersey
Flutter/kick Yellow jersey
False start Time trial