The fundamentals of
SPORTS
WRITING
What is
Sports Writing?
Journalism that covers sports, athletes, or
other sports-related issues.
A journalist who reports on sports is called a
sportswriter.
Types of Sports Page Content
1.Straight-Lead Game Story
The article summarizes the main points of a game: which team won or
lost, the final score, and what a star player did.
The most basic form of all sportswriting.
Types of Sports Page Content
2. Tornament Summary
A tournament summary provides a concise overview of a sports competition,
highlighting key events, standout performances, and final outcomes.
It typically includes details such as the tournament's location, dates,
participating teams or players, significant matches or moments, notable
achievements, and the ultimate winner or winners.
Types of Sports Page Content
3. Season Preview
These stories are published while the coaches and their teams are preparing
for the upcoming season, or after the season has ended—whether in victory
or in defeat.
These stories take a bird’s eye view of the season: they normally share the
expectations that coaches and players have, or how they feel at the end of a
season.
Types of Sports Page Content
4. Columns
A sportswriting column is the place where a sportswriter shares their opinion.
Sometimes these columns may include venting when a team, player, or coach
doesn’t meet expectations. Other times, they may write about what they
admire in a team, player or coach.
Types of Sports Page Content
5. Profiles
a profile features an individual character. This person might be a rookie
athlete rising in the ranks, or perhaps an influential coach or currently the
most outstanding athlete.
The Usual
Combination
Summar +Profile +Column
y
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Traditional
Inverted Pyramid
Lead
Bod
y
Tail
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Unsung Hero
of a Sports Article
The box score is
a story on its
own Box Score
Writing an Actual Sports Article
What is a Box
Score
The box score provides detailed statistical information
about individual player performances,relevant metrics
The set scores at the end of a volleyball game article are
typically referred to as the "set results" or "set scores."
In boxing, the scorecard at the end of a news article that
summarizes how each judge scored the fight is
commonly referred to as the "judges' scorecards" or
simply "scorecards."
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Lead
The lead refers to the opening paragraph or section that aims to grab
the reader's attention and summarize the main points of the article.
The lead typically includes the most important details of the story, such
as the outcome of the game, significant events, key statistics, or notable
performances by athletes.
It sets the tone for the rest of the article and gives readers a quick
understanding of what happened in the sporting event being covered.
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Lead
The 5 Ws and 1 H are fundamental principles used to ensure that all
essential information is covered in a story.
Who: Who won? Who lost? Who was the best player?
What: Score? League/tournament? Is at stake?
When: Date and time
Where: Location where the sports event was held
Why: Motivation. Why are they having the match?
How: Is it close? Is there a wide margin?
Writing an Actual Sports Article
Types of Leads Example:
Team-centric Lead Holy Angel University (HAU)
Golden Guardians managed to
secure a heart-stopping 67-64
A team-centric lead in sports writing win over the Manuel L. Quezon
focuses on the overall performance, University (MLQU) Stallions
achievements, or impact of a team in a during the 21st National Athletic
particular game or event. Association of Schools, Colleges,
and Universities (NAASCU)
basketball elimination round
yesterday at New Era University
in Quezon City.
Writing an Actual Sports Article
Types of Leads Example:
Team-centric Lead STRONG Group Athletics-Pilipinas
continued its winning ways even with
a shorthanded lineup, taking care of
A team-centric lead in sports writing business against Japan’s Under-22
focuses on the overall performance, national team, 92-79, on Friday in the
achievements, or impact of a team in a 43rd William Jones Cup at the
particular game or event. Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei
City, Taiwan.
Writing an Actual Sports Article
Types of Leads Example:
Bella Belen fired 26 points,
Player-centric Lead anchoring National University’s 25-
22, 18-25, 25-19, 18-25, 15-13
escape against Far Eastern
A player-centric lead in sports writing University to move on the verge of
focuses primarily on an individual athlete, claiming the 2024 Shakey’s Super
often highlighting their performance, League (SSL) National Invitationals
achievements, or impact on a game. It on Monday night at the Ninoy
aims to draw readers in by emphasizing Aquino Stadium.
the significance of that player within the
context of the sporting event.
Writing an Actual Sports Article
Types of Leads Example:
Bella Belen fired 26 points,
Player-centric Lead anchoring National University’s 25-
22, 18-25, 25-19, 18-25, 15-13
escape against Far Eastern
A player-centric lead in sports writing University to move on the verge of
focuses primarily on an individual athlete, claiming the 2024 Shakey’s Super
often highlighting their performance, League (SSL) National Invitationals
achievements, or impact on a game. It on Monday night at the Ninoy
aims to draw readers in by emphasizing Aquino Stadium.
the significance of that player within the
context of the sporting event.
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Body
Player Performances: Analyze standout performances by key players,
including statistics like points scored, assists, rebounds, etc.
Chris McCullough kept up his hot streak for SGA-Pilipinas with 26 points,
seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals, as the Philippines won
even without big man Ange Kouame, do-it-all Rhenz Abando, and import
Tajuan Agee.
Noun phrases: A noun phrase is a group of words centered around a
noun or pronoun that functions as a subject, object, or complement
within a sentence.
Ex: The 18-year-old; The Mabalacat native; The 10-time champion
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Body
Quotations: Quotations in sports articles serve several purposes, such as
providing direct insights from players, coaches, officials, or other
relevant figures involved in the game or event.
“I’m very happy na despite wala si Ate Sheena (Toring), Ate Aly
(Solomon) and Vange (Alinsug) and other teammates ko na ‘di
nakapaglaro, may mga rookies and mga teammates ko na talagang nag-
step up na tinulungan ‘yung team para manalo today,” Belen said.
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Body
Key Moments: Highlight pivotal moments or plays that had a significant
impact on the outcome of the game.
Player Performances: Analyze standout performances by key players,
including statistics like points scored, assists, rebounds, etc.
Coaching Decisions/ Team Strategies/ Tactical Analysis: Provide insights
into tactical changes or adjustments made during the game.
Game Flow: Describe how the game progressed, including momentum
shifts and turning points.
Team/Player Comparison: Comparing teams or players is a common and
effective way to analyze their performance, skills, and achievements.
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Body
Injuries or Suspensions: Mention any injuries or suspensions that
affected player availability or team dynamics.
Post-game Reactions: Include quotes or reactions from players, coaches,
and analysts about the game's outcome.
Historical Context: Provide context about any records broken, milestones
achieved, or historical significance of the game.
Fan Reactions: Optionally, include reactions from fans or supporters to
capture the atmosphere and excitement of the game.
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Body
Both teams went on to a neck-and-neck start with a score of 15-13 at the
end of the first quarter and 34-30 at the end of the first half.
At the beginning of the second half, starters Ramonchito Rodriguez and
Marc Basilio led the Golden Guardians as they established their biggest
lead of 17 points over the Stallions, ending the third quarter with a score
of 54-37.
The basketball drama started in the fourth quarter as HAU’s big men
Jerlan Manaloto, Noy Capuno, and Sernaco Sacmar III were fouled out,
leaving MLQU’s players to catch up in the last minutes of the game.
However, the Golden Guardian’s deep bench managed to protect their
lead, escaping with a 67-64 victory over the Quezonians.
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Body
Marc Basilio was hailed as the Player of the Game with 17 points, 6
rebounds, and 2 assists, with their captain Tristan Tubangui also
contributing a huge 19 rebounds.
This is their first win after their loss to Philippine Christian University in
the opening match last Monday, which according to HAU’s Coach Miguel
Bituin, was an “upset loss”.
“Meg-adjust kami kareng minor details na meging mali keng PCU game
(We made adjustments in the minor details that were lacking in the PCU
game),” said Coach Bituin.
Writing an Actual Sports Article
The Tail
Implications: Discuss the implications of the game's outcome. This could
include its impact on standings, playoffs, rivalries, or individual player
performances.
Looking Ahead: Optionally, discuss what lies ahead for the team or
players. This could include upcoming games, challenges, or
opportunities for improvement.
Closing Thoughts: End the article with a closing remark or summary that
reinforces the main points discussed and leaves the reader with a final
impression.
Other Things to Consider
The Interview Article
Choice of Words
Absolute Objectivity
in Sports Writing
SALAMAT!
