Sports Writing

HUGOT OR NOT

“Ang sports writers ay

mapaglaro, o mahilig
paglaruan?”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HUGOT OR NOT

“Ang sports writers ay

mapaglaro, o mahilig
paglaruan?”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HUGOT OR NOT

“Ang sports writers ay

stick-to-one”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HUGOT OR NOT

“Ang sports writers ay

hindi stick-to-one”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HUGOT OR NOT

“Ang sports writers

lagi na lang
nag-aadjust”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HUGOT OR NOT

“Ang sports writers

lagi na lang nag-
aadjust”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HUGOT OR NOT

“Ang sports writing ay

parang
pagmumove-on,
Mahirap sa umpisa pero
sa huli makakasanayan
mo na”
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HUGOT OR NOT
“Ang sports writing ay parang
pagmumove-on,
Mahirap sa umpisa pero sa huli
makakasanayan mo na”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HUGOT OR NOT

“Ang sports writers ay

sanay maghintay”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HUGOT OR NOT

“Ang sports writers ay

sanay maghintay”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Sports writing vs. News writing

• Both use similar types of leads: feature angle

or news peg.
• Both look for the most interest-compelling
facts.
• Both writers write the body of the story, add
an acceptable lead and then present the
dominant facts in order of their importance.
• Writing about sports is more colorful, less
formal than news writing.
• Sports writing is faster paced and more lively.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
STRUCTURE OF A SPORTS NEWS
HEADLINE

Lead

Pla b -
play

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Inverted pyramid counts for sports writers, too

•Sportswriters also make use of the “5-Wives and 1

Husband” in determining the summary of the Lead
Paragraph.
- Inverted pyramid presents details and facts in
descending order of importance.
• The “Who” represents the team or player; the
“What” is the event, the tournament, the outcome;
the “When” - is the date; the “Where” is the place
the game is held; and the “Why and How” describe
and explain the other relevant details in the game.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 LEAD
1. Who won? Sino ang nanalo?
2. How did they win? Paano nanalo?
3. Against whom? Laban kanino?
4. By what score? Ano ang iskor?
5.Where?Saan?
6. When? Kailan?

The Torres High School Quintet (1) poured 10

baskets in the last three minutes (2) to edge
out the Osmenians (3) 65-63 (4) at the
opponents homeground (5) yesterday
afternoon (6).

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 The Sports Leads
Thomas Morrison won the first three rounds of the
scheduled 12-
round
scoring fight,with overhand rights and jabs to capture the World Boxing
mostly
Organization Middleweight title at the packed MGM Grand Arena in Las
Vegas yesterday. (Boxing)

American David Wheaton beat compatriot Michael Chang in

straight
sets (6-3, 7-6) to advance to the US Open men’s finals yesterday. (Tennis)
Iran took the first gold medal at the 9” Asian Track and Field
Championship yesterday as Hamid Sadjadi won the 3,000 meter steeple
chase in eight minutes 33.89 seconds. (Athletics)

A 10-man Bulgarian side held-off Paraguay in the dying

minutes to
come away with a goalless draw in their World Cup opener yesterday.
(Football)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS

BEST PLAYER LEAD

• Example:

Stephen Curry scored a career high 41

points, including17assists, to help the
Golden State Warriors defeat the Cleaveland
Cavaliers, 114-99, in the National Basketball
Association (NBA) final game Sunday.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS

Winalis ni top seed Allan Pason ang huli niyang apat

na laban, kasama rito ang seventh round victory kay
solo leader Albert Diolola Jr., para kunin ang seniors
crown, habang sinikwat ni No. 7 Tristan Ibaoc ang
juniors title sa 23rd Shell National Youth Active Chess
Championship Northern Mindanao leg sa SM CDO City
Event Center sa Cagayan de Oro noong Linggo.
- “Pason, Ibaoc kampeon sa Shell - Mindanao Chess fest”
Pilipino Star Ngayon, July 24, 2015.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS

• BEST PLAY LEAD

• Example:

• Joe Johnson scored on a tough fade-

away with one second left to tie the score in
regulation and another jumper in overtime to
lead the Brooklyn Nets defeat the Phoenix
Suns in the National Basketball Association
game Sunday.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS

Naisalpak ni Rodrigue Ebondo ang banked

shot sa huling 1.2 segundo para ibigay sa Café
France Bakers ang 56-55 panalo laban sa
Hapee Fresh Fighters sa Game Three para
angkinin ang korona ng PBA D-League
Foundation Finals kahapon sa Ynares Sports
Arena sa Pasig City.
- “San Beda players ‘di pinalaro sa Fresh Fighters; Bakers
inangkin ang D-League title,” Pilipino Star Ngayon, June 26,
2015

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS

• Significance of game lead

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS

WASHINGTON- An unfancied Washington

squad captured its first National Basketball
Association playoff series since 1982 by
beating Chicago, 94-91 here Friday, booking a
second-round date with powerhouse Miami.
- “Wizards end NBA drought”
People’s Tonight, 2006

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS

SINGAPORE – Tinumbok ng 16-anyos na si

Chezka Centeno ang gold medal sa women’s 9-
ball singles ng 28th Southeast Asian Games
nang kanyang masilat ang beteranang si Rubilen
Amit, 7-5 sa billiards and snooker competition
na idinaraos sa OCBC Arena Hall 4.
- “Gold tinumbok ni Centeno
Pilipino Star Ngayon,June 10, 2015

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS

• Novelty Lead

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS

LAS VEGAS – Floyd Mayweather Jr. wasn’t about to

change what he does best in his last fight.
Both dominant and defensive, Mayweather used all
the tricks learned in a 19-year pro career Saturday night to
take a lopsided 12-round decision over Andre Berto and
retain his welterweight title in what he insists was his final
fight.
“Mayweather decisions Berto, retires at 49-0”
Associated Press, September 29, 2015

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS
CLEVELAND – Lumuhod si LeBron James at hinampas ang sahig ng
kanyang mga kamay.
Pagod na pagod na siya, ngunit isang panalo na lamang ang
kailangan niya para muling makapasok sa NBA Finals.
“I gave everything I have,” sabi ni James.
Nalampasan ni James ang pagbangon ng Hawks, pagkakaroon niya
ng cramps at injuries para itala ang triple-double at akayin ang Cavaliers sa
114-111 overtime win sa Game 3 ng kanilang Eastern Confe­rence finals series.
- “Umangat si James sa OT: Cavs inilapit sa
finals,”
Pilipino Star Ngayon, May 26, 2015

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 TYPES OF LEADS
CLEVELAND – Lumuhod si LeBron James at hinampas ang sahig ng
kanyang mga kamay.
Pagod na pagod na siya, ngunit isang panalo na lamang ang
kailangan niya para muling makapasok sa NBA Finals.
“I gave everything I have,” sabi ni James.
Nalampasan ni James ang pagbangon ng Hawks, pagkakaroon niya
ng cramps at injuries para itala ang triple-double at akayin ang Cavaliers sa
114-111 overtime win sa Game 3 ng kanilang Eastern Confe­rence finals series.
- “Umangat si James sa OT: Cavs inilapit sa
finals,”
Pilipino Star Ngayon, May 26, 2015

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Discard unnecessary phrases; avoid exaggeration

• Simplify your sentence. Phrases that do not add

thoughts and those that tend to exaggerate must be
discarded.
• Ex.
Chris Lutz produced an MVP-like performance as he
unleashed fifteen points and six rebounds to help Petron Blaze
Boosters galvanized Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and
fashioning out a 96-86 squeaker in the Philippine Basketball
Association (PBA) Philippine Cup held at the sold out Smart
Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 14.
• Better:
• Chris Lutz produced 15 points and six
rebounds to help Petron Blaze Boosters beat Rain
or Shine Elasto Painters 96-86 in the PBA
Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Keep it short. This will help you maintain the
overall readability of your story.
• Ex.
• It just took a very short time for the Filipino Flash Nonito
Donaire to work it all out as he scored two knockdowns in the
second round to tarnish the Mexican boxer Jorge Arce and
retain his World Boxing Organization Super - Bantamweight
crown at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas yesterday.

• Better: (After eliminating the verbal deadwood)

• Nonito “the Filipino Flash” Donaire scored two
knockdowns in the second round to beat Jorge Arce and
retain his WBO Super Bantamweight crown at the Toyota
Center in Houston, Texas, yesterday.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HEADLINE

• The headline of a sports coverage story should

tell right away who or which team won over
whom or whose team (and whenever
appropriate or applicable, by what score).
• Appropriate action words should be used to
indicate who won depending on how the
event unfolded
 HEADLINE
• USUAL HEADLINE

Winner - Verb (should describe the win) - Losing team

Ateneo repulses La Salle

Gilas annihialates Malaysia
Murray edges Djokovic

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HEADLINE
• MODIFIED HEADLINE

Winner - Verb (should describe the win) - Losing team -

Phrase Modifier (tournament)

Ocampo thwarts Santos in Taekwondo

Dan wallops Wei in Badminton
South Korea stuns Gilas in FIBA Semis

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 HEADLINE
• STORY-BASED HEADLINE

Winner - Verb (should describe the win) - Losing team -

Phrase Modifier (Story-angle)

Bata Reyes pockets gold in pool tilt

Ombrete leads Juniors atop rivals in Baseball
Lobusta, Iñosa stuns couples to extend reign in Dancesport

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Use Active Voice for headline and caption

The active voice is usually more direct and economical. The same
information sounds better in the active voice because it is shorter
and more direct.

Active Voice: Team USA massacres Slovenia

Lakers beat Celtics
Schumacker wins 9th Grand Prix title in Barcelona
USA
Passive Voice: Slovenia was massacred by Team USA
Celtics was beaten by the Lakers
The Grand Prix title in Barcelona was won by Schumacker

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Examples of Sports Headlines

Vintage Federer seals first Davis Cup for Switzerland (tennis)

Villanueva attacks Schumacher (motor racing)

Year’s top marks fall at Slovakian meeting (Athletics)

Confident Thais set for takraw battle (Takraw)

TAWA (Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association) eyes

gold medal at Sydney (weightlifting)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Examples of Sports Headlines

• Pacquiao knocks down Algieri six times, wins by unanimous decision

(boxing)

• Taha ties career-high in Purefoods win over Meralco (basketball )

NU beats FEU, forces Game 3 for UAAP title (basketball)

Sampras slumps further with loss to Woodforde (Tennis)

NU's Rosario delivers in 'most important' game

Bulls just a win away from their sixth title (Basketball)

Rusty Graf prevails in two-hour battle (Tennis)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 BODY
- explains and narrates some of the events in
the game to support the lead. It may contain
other significant plays of the game, statistics,
quotes from the personalities involved, or in
the case of composite news, others played. It
relates the other Ws unanswered in the lead.
Has to be 4-6 paragraph long.
 Other Elements in the Body

• Team and/or individual standing

• Decisive play
• Best Scorers of the day
• Play-by-play
• Quotation
Winning Sports Article (English)
4th Place, NSPC at Camarines Sur NHS,
Naga City
Region VI, February 15-21, 2009
Sports Writer: Brendon Joe Vivero
Coach: Cesar T. Montaño
Game: Sepak Takraw (2 sets)
 “Smart Regu never abdicated the
throne of victory.”
Showcasing their technical know-
how and defense mechanism, Smart
Regu affirmed supremacy over the Naga
City Regu, carving a 21-6, 21-15 victory
during their Sepak Takraw Exhibition
Match held at Camarines Sur National
High School (Liboton Annex) Feb. 18.
 Naga, City Regu succumbed to their
final loss as Smart Regu intensified their
attact from start to finish in the second
set unlocking hard-driven spikes and
head spins en route to a convincing win.
 Smart Regu unveiled the first set
with an incessant offensive thrust,
unleasing wheelbarrow kicks and Chinese
kills from Tekong Rodolfo Sesmuendo
and Apit-Kanan Romel Dela Cruz to gain
the upperhand with a 21-6 score.
 Eager to retaliate in the second set,
Naga City Regu employed forces within
their range of effectiveness unlocking
full-cartwheel and black magic return
spikes from Tekong Rani Tan Tayag and
Apit Kim Deo Villareal but did not sustain
into the end as they lapsed into errors.
 Smart Regu remained hot in the
ensuing play, took chance to demoralize
Naga City Regu’s resistance by releasing
high accuracy drives and blazing kicks on
the hall which opted Naga City Regu to
draw frugal defense.
 Exhilarated by the bustling cheers
from the throng of expectators and
campus journalists from all corners of the
country the combined Sesmundo-Dela
Cruz Mark Christian Casaul trio unloaded
wrackful drives and never ceasing kills,
abridging their opponent’s defiance.
 Sesmundo found his way to launch a
blitzkrieg spike to control and seal the
final set with a meritorious 21-6 victory.
(Interview)
#
Winning Sports Article (Filipino)
2nd Place, NSPC, Kalibo, Aklan
Region V Western Visayas
February 20-24, 2006
Sports Writer: Cesar S. Montaῆo II
Coach: Cesar T. Montaῆo
Game: Basketball
 Kalibo, Aklan - Dumaan sa butas ng karayom
ang Aklan Catholic College (ACC) Blues laban sa
Ntremaze bago makuha ang 53-50 panalo sa
isang Pasinayang Larong Basketball na ginanap
sa ACC gym.
Ang pinagsanib na puwersa ng pointguard na
si Jonathan Fantinalgo at power forward Jhon
Jevy Villas ng ACC Blues na nag-umpisang
magpaulan ng mga puntos mula umpisa ng first
quarter hanggang huling minuto ng last quarter
ang nagsiguro ng kanilang panalo.
 Bumandera si Villas ng 12 puntos,
Fantinalgo 11 puntos at kabuuang 30
puntos ang naidagdag ng iba pa nilang
teammates.
Lamang ang D’Ntremaze sa first quarter
sa iskor na 15-12 na pinamunuan nina Roy
Zubiaga, Cris Ginoy at Arnel Ambito ngunit
kinapos sila sa kalagitnaan ng laro dahil sa
humabol ang ACC Blues sa pamamagitan
ng sunod-sunod na lay-ups.
 Sa harap ng di-magkamayaw na mga
estudyanteng manunulat pang-isports,
nagpakawala si Fantinalgo ng mga
mabalasik na fade away jumpers na
ikinalito ng D’Ntremaze, isang minuto
nalalabi sa 3rd quarter.
Sa iskor na 47-45 sa fourth quarter,
kontrolado na ng ACC Blues ang lahat ng
departamento ng laro na kung saan hindi
na nakayanan ng D’Ntremaze ang
momentum ng kanilang kalaban.
 Si Zubiaga ang highest pointer ng
D’Ntremaze na kumana ng 22 puntos,
Ginoy 10 puntos, Parahinog 6 na puntos at
Ambito 6 na puntos.
“Ok naman, nag-improve yung kanilang
paglalaro at yan sina Villas at Fantinalgo,
sisikat yan,” ang nakangiting sabi ng coach
ng ACC Blues na si Arnold T. Barientos.
 Mga iskor:
l
ACC Blues:(53), Villas (12), Fantinalgo
(11), Malolos (9), Tagle (8), Besana (5),
Rampola (2), Cawaling (2)

D’Ntremaze:(50), Zubiaga (22), Ginoy

(10), Parahinog (6), Ambito (6), Legazpe
(2), Quimpo (2), Abayon (2)
 In general, the complete game story, no matter what sport
should contain the ff. Elements:
1. 1. The final score, usually in the top 3 paragraphs,
2. often in first paragraph.
3. 2. Names of Teams
4. 3. When and Where the game took place.
5. 4. Key players or outstanding players.
6. 5. Coaching strategies.
7. 6. Crowd.
8. 7. Quotations from players.
9. 8. Injuries.
10.9. Records set during the game.
11. 10. Effect of game on league standings.
12.11. Any oddities, length of game, number of
13. penalties, etc.
14.12. Weather Condition- if a factor in outcome.
 The SPORTS Style of Writing

• S - Score
• P - Personalities
• O - Opinion of players, coaches, and
others involved (Quotations)
• R - Rules and regulations
• T - Terminologies/ Time
• S - Spectator
Tips on Writing the Sports News
1. Write the story immediately after the event.
2. Be accurate not only with score but also in all other
highlights of the game.
3. Include human interest like the personal background of the
player.
4. Inject humorous event when needed.
5. Follow the inverted pyramid structure.
6. Support data with opinion.
7. Be original.
8. Use sports lingo but not over do it
9. Be selective and pick out only from the multitude of
details, the ones that count and can tickle the interests of
the readers.
Defeated:

• For close games: • For blow out matches:

Nipped Demolished
Edged Drubbed
Scratched past Massacred
Survived Dominated
Squeaked past Bombarded
Tinalo:

• For close games: • For blow out

Nalusutan matches:
Naligtasan Dinurog
Naungusan Binomba
Pinitik Niyanig
Kinapos Inilampaso
Pinabagsak
Sample sports adjectives and verbs that can be
used in writing sports.
A. poor performance Malamyang laro
Atrocious Malamyang laro
Anemic Palpak, sumablay/pumalpak sa pagtira
Frigid mahina, kapos
ice cold Malamig
Woeful Nakakapanghina
Horrid walang tibay
Horrible Kinakalawang
Rusty Tahimik
Quiet pipilay-pilay
Limped Ininda
Bothered masakit, may pilay
Sore Nakakaawa
Pathetic hindi mawarian, hindi kapani-paniwala
Unimaginable inutil, hindi maaasahan
Inept Masagwa
Awful Napakapangit
Forgettable hindi nagawa, hindi nagamit
B. Outstanding performance
Magical hindi kapani-paniwala, mala-mahika,
heads up napakagaling
Inspiring Inspirado
gung-ho kaiga-igaya, nakabibilib
Huge Determinado
Great napakalaki, napaka-importante
Bayani

C. Easy victory
won with ease walang hirap
dominated/dominance Dinomina
Soared magnet, puma-ilanglang, umalimbuyog
barely broke a sweat halos hindi pinagpawisan, medaling
Blitzed natapos
coasted to victory binigla, hindi tinantanan
D. a hard-fought game
inability to pull away nabigong lumamang
regained control Nakabawi
trimmed the deficit pinaliit ang lamang, humabol
absorbed some hits and shed the most blood tumanggap ng sakit at nagbuwis ng dugo
hobbled back pilit bumalik sa pagdepensa
stifling defense nakaririnding depensa
a statistical underdog Dehado

E. produce
Generated Gumawa
Erupted Nagpasabog
Contributed nag-ambag
exploded for Nagpasiklab
Committed natawagan, tinawagan
Added Nagdagdag
broke out of a (series) slump Bumawi
drilled a 36-footer as time expired isinalpak ang isang tira sabay ng
buried pagtatapos ng laro
ipinasok
F. forced
muscled inside Pinuwersa
wiggled free nakaalpas. Nakalusot, nakaligtas
squeezed in Pinilit
beat the clock naunahan ang orasan
slowed the pace Binagalan
Lifted Iniangat
wrested away Naagaw
make-or-break bid (desperate move) Desperado
forced their opponents into being a jump napigilan ang opensa at napuwersang
shooting team tumira mula sa labas

G. offensive, penalty-deserving
moves
ill-advised maling diskarte
slumbered through Tinulugan
made a costly turnover Nagkamali
 COMMONLY USED VERBS AND ADJECTIVES:

BLAST SHATTERING
ELECTRIFYING CONQUERS
SUPREMACY CLINCHED
JAM-PACKED BLAST
HEART PUMPING ATTACKS

SWEAT COLD SCORCHING HEAT

PENETRATES NAILED
CLOGGED FIRES
SLAM SMELLING BLOOD
STRIKES BLASTS
ASTOUNDED AUDIENCE DETHRONE
NILAMPASO BUMANDERA NAGPAULAN
BINAGYO
PINAKAIN NG DUMAAN SA BUTAS
ALIKABOK IKINUBLI
HINDI BUMANGON PARANG IPO-IPO
MAGKAMAYAW NAG-AALAB
SUMUGOD NAG-AAPOY BUMULAGA
UMARANGKADA IGINUPO NANGUNA
ITINAOB
MAPANLINLANG BINOMBA
PAMATAY NA SIPA
HUMATAW NASINDAK
MATALAS
HUMABOL NAGPAMALAS
MALA KABAYO
SIPANG KABAYO HUMAGUPIT ANG BILIS
 SPORTS IDIOMS

• Fired a record-setting/shattering (then followed by

stats)
• Pummeled (the team) to seize the
advantage/lead/crown
• Showcased their great scoring blitz
• Displayed his brilliant ball-handling skills
• Further sank their opponents’ hope
• It seems they have lost their usual
poise/aplomb/composure/confidence
• Live up to their top billing
• Up against a crack field
• Set the stage for a rout
• Turned its fortune around
• Achieved another milestone
• Pulled off a gigantic/huge/biggest upset
• Roared back to life/Stepped up their attack
• Grope for form/Lapsed into a series of errors
• Catapulted to the semifinals/finals/next
round
• Found his range/touch/rhythm
• Prove steadier down the stretch
• Saddled with foul trouble
• Pounced on (team) early meltdown
• Last-ditch rally fizzled out
• Started out flat but came to life
• Added another feather in its cap
• FILIPINO
• Nagtala ng bagong record (record breaking
feat)
• Sumungkit ng panibagong karangalan
(record breaking)
• iniuwi ang korona (lahat ng sports)
• Winalis ang karibal (Chess, football or any
game that ends in a sweep)
• Tinahak ang matarik na akyatan (Marathon,
cycling race)
• Hindi nagpapigil sa pagatake (any sports)
• Sinikwat ang titulo/kampeonato/huling
puwesto
• Dinomina/Iniuwi/kinopo ang korona (any
sports)
• Nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan
 Boxing Terms
Bout: Another word for a boxing match.
Brawler: An aggressive fighter who likes to fight on the
inside.
Canvas: The floor in a boxing ring.
Combination: A seamless sequence of consecutive
punches.
Contender: A fighter in a position to perhaps challenge
for a championship.
Corkscrew Punch: A punch thrown in a twisting motion,
which often causes cuts.
Counterpunch: Punch thrown in response to another
fighter’s attack.
Covering Up: Defensive tactic where a fighter goes into a
shell to thwart his opponent’s offensive.
Cross: Power punch thrown straight with the rear hand.
Eight Count: After a fighter is knocked down, the
referee must complete a count of eight even if the
opponent rises before that.
Orthodox: Describes a right-handed fighter.
Southpaw: A left-handed fighter.
Technical Decision: When a bout is terminated
prematurely due to a cut or some other
circumstance sending the bout to the scorecards.
Technical Draw: When a bout is ended prematurely
and the scoring is even.
Technical Knockout: When a fighter is taking too
much punishment and the referee stops the bout
without completing a ten-count.
Throw in the Towel: When the chief second in a
fighter’s corner wants to stop the fight, he throws a
towel into the ring.
Toe-to-Toe: When both fighters stand in front of
each other and engage.
 SEPAK TAKRAW
Block Service
Dig Apit kiri
Apit kanan Spike
Sunback Spike bicycle kick
First Ball head spin
Killer
Regu
Roll Spike
Some Common Volleyball Terms:
 Tips:
• Check for spelling, subject-verb agreement, correct use
of verb tense, grammar, unity, and coherence.
• Never use articles in the lead (a, an, the).
• Use a lead which gets the reader’s attention. Try to
make it answer as many of the 5 W’s and an H as
possible.
• Put the final score high in the story. Never wait to reveal
the final score in the middle or the final paragraph.
• When writing, try to use the active voice
(instead of, “The shot was made by Bryant,” we
say “Bryant made the shot.)
• Make sure to put the most important
information on top, and the least important at
the bottom. As well, have no more than one
though per sentence. Aim for clarity than
flowery language.
• Do not editorialize. Keep it balanced. Get both
sides. Don’t be too overcritical, but don’t be a
wallflower.
• In team sports, a team is an “it”, not a “they”.
• Make sure you have reported the score correctly
and precisely as the final buzzer sounds.
• A lead of more than 25 words can be made shorter
and snappier. Be concise.
• Never compare a sporting event to a war or
disaster, even as quotes.
• When talking about your high school team or
college team, don’t refer them as “we” or “our
team”. You might be covering a game from the
school’s angle, but you must remain objective.
• Avoid beginning a sentence, particularly a lead,
with “there are” or ‘there is”.
• Know the basics and rules of the sports you are covering.
Know to look up to rules you don’t know.
• Be original and develop your writing style. Keep your
writing style early and expand your style as you mature as
a writer and as a person.
• When you read a game story, look at HOW it is written as
well as the contents. Make mental notes (or even real
notes) on how the reporter uses transition, quotes, and
attribution.
• Have a rulebook of any game you are covering in
handy.
• Avoid question leads.
• For prep games, call each coach before a game.
Gather a few quotes for an advanced story. Try to
get an understanding for the team’s strategy
heading into the game (but don’t share it with
others.)
• Have an understanding for the world around you.
Understanding pop culture, race issues and public affairs gives
you perspective that can make you a well-rounded writer and
person.
• Keep an eye on the game clock. A game may run long, goes to
overtime or starts late. Also, go to the venue early, for some
sports end quickly than expected. Know what time the story
is due.
• Highlight a few key turning points and stats and develop the
story.
• Don’t over glorify your subjects. Sports aren’t
life or death.
• Look for great moments in the game, ironics,
outstanding players, interesting tidbits,
descriptions, crown reaction, crowd numbers,
venue condition, breaks in the norm.
• Get specific, meaningful quotes. Use the summary-
quote approach (paraphrase-quote) to get more into
the story.
• Get high scorers and other superlatives. Look for
extremes. Keep your observation powers churning. But
drop these interesting tidbits into an otherwise
predictable scenario.
• Always have a notebook of sports terms so you will not
get confused on what term you will be using.
 Know what’s going on
Reporters often go to coverage with hardly any knowledge of what
they’re going to write. But in spite of this, they often find a way to get what
they’re looking for because they have the tools to do so.

Asking will help:

Even if you don’t understand the particular game you’re

covering, at
least look up to common terms or penalties. Advance reading on such
particular sports can also help a lot.
Find the right person:

You can also interview the players or coaches in advance to

ask for
common sports lingos or terms.
If you still have time, you can glance over the rules for the
leagues. You’ll have a general understanding of the sports and the game
and you’ll be able to more accurately describe what’s going on.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Find time to read

Read the sports page and see what

other sportswriters are doing. What
seems to work for them? What sets them
apart?
It can never be over emphasized that
reading newspapers provides the
necessary tools we need to improve in
writing.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
SPORTS WRITER

• Must have nose for news and has

interest in all sports events
• Must know the rules and
regulations
• Must have a working knowledge of
the language and jargons of sports
writing
• Should avoid clichés
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 GUIDELINES IN SPORTS WRITING

• Take down notes, don’t trust your

memory
• Report the reaction of the spectators at
some point of the game
• Don’t devote the entire sports section
to just one game or one sport
• Read a lot. Learn how other sports
writers practice their craft

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
EXERCISE (VOLLEYBALL)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION