The Games. The Glory. The Story.

The Sports Page talks about heroes. The Front Page talks about mans failures.

Among the different sections of a newspaper, the sports page perhaps has the widest range of readership. Survey shows that 95% of male readers

read the sports page.

This is because sports stories are more interesting to read due to the action and rivalries of opposing teams which are vividly and colorfully written.

The rivalry between schools and intramurals teams brings thrill and excitement to the student readers.

Ideally, any sports story would have quotes from the winners and losers. Indeed, many sports articles are written around what athletes say rather than what they have achieved on the field of play.

Writing Sports Stories

The main elements of a good sports story are a catchy lead, clear focus and lots of quotes.

a catchy lead,
The lead is the attention-getter, the news in a nutshell.
The classic five Ws appear in the sports leas as:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Who won? Against whom? By what scores? Where? When?

Example of a catchy LEAD

The IHMA Dragons(1) poured 10 baskets in the last three minutes to edge out the RS Tigers (2) 65-63 (3) at the opponents homeground (4), yesterday afternoon. (5)

The lead can also dramatize other elements like:

THE KEY PLAY 1. The IHMA High School sluggers bombed the RS batters with six runs in the third inning to subdue a nerve-fuzzling RS rally, 14-12 as they clinched the invitation game here, in connection with the celebration of the Foundation Day of RS school. 2. Foreign Philippine masters champion George Olayban birdied two of the last three holes for a four-under-par 67 yesterday and a one stroke lead over Robert Pactolerin in the opening round of the P200,000 Philip Morris Long Golf Classic.

The lead can also dramatize other elements like:

THE OUTSTANDING PLAYER 1. Romeo Reyes of IHMA, after four hours battle over the chess board, copped the most coveted YMCA trophy after outfitting Manila High School chesser William Santos in 27 moves of a Sicilian defense. 2. Ace Striker Rossel Filamer slotted home the priceless maker that lifted that multi-titled NCR team to triumph over hard-fighting Cebu-Lhuillier, 1-6, to capture the fourth Don Andres Soriano Jr. Football Cup before a big, enthusiastic crowd at the Perdices Stadium in Davao City.

The lead can also dramatize other elements like:

THE ANALYTICAL APPROACH 1. Riding high on sizzling spikes ad tricky placing, the MLQ netters blasted the crucial third set to win 15-10, 11-15, 15-7 mini-district meet, Sept. 21 at the Torres High School Oval to celebrate the First Filipino Thanksgiving Day. 2. Pumped-up Purefoods played solid defense to frustrate a winner-take-all contest on Sunday for the PBA All-Filipino Conference Crown at the Ultra.

THE BODY
The FLOW of the body: 1. Team and/or individual standing- if the event is part of a series of games, the story must report how the teams or players stand in their relation to their competitors. 2. Decisive play- this is the most crucial part of the game that gives a certain team the winning margin. 3. Best scores for the day- the scores usually appear in the headline and in the lead. However, the writer must not neglect the top scorer of the day.

THE BODY
The FLOW of the body: 4. Play-by-play- due to limited space, play-by-play has to be condensed. In top boxing events, a separate rate round-by-round account is provided, describing the progress of the fight in detail. 5. Quotation- it is costumary for the hero of the day to have his sentiments of the fight in detail.

Former executive editor Jose Luna Castro of the Manila Times has listed elements that make up a good sports story.
Personalities Play-by-play description Statistics Quotes by players Quotes by trainers/coaches Background stuff on players The importance/significance of the event The background of the game

Suggested Pointers:
The score or outcome- who won? That of course is the point of the story. Even if the game should end in a tie, with a riot, or be called off on account of a rain, the outcome is still important The significance of the outcome- was a championship at stake? Do the standings of the teams change? Who gets the cup? Is the grudge wiped out?

Suggested Pointers:
Highlights of the game- find the turning point of the game. Describe spectacular plays. tell about the last minute fumble, or the last three-second basket from midcourt if it were a basketball game. Comparison of the teams- which was the better team? Was the defending champion out-jumped on the rebound? Who did better from the foul line? In what department were the losers weak?

Suggested Pointers:
Individual stars- while present-day sports stories on teamwork have greatly discouraged individual stars and so called- grandstand players, there are still instances where some players stand out from the rest? Who are they? What did they do to become the heroes of the game? Weather conditions- mud, sunshine, heat, cold, or wind may have a bearing on the game.

Suggested Pointers:
Crowd and celebration- dont forget the spectators. Was it a record crowd? How did the spectators behave? Where they particularly hostile to the referee?

SPORTS JARGONS

STRUCTURES OF A SPORTS NEWS

Sample News based on structure:

NBA game between Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers on April 1 as our example article.

1. Intro the most important news aspect

of a sports game is the score. Who won? How did they win and what effect did the victory have? Also important is
whether we are writing from a Boston perspective or Cleveland. In this case, we will go with Cleveland. Cleveland Cavaliers lost 98-96 to the Boston Celtics after Delonte Wests sank two free throws in the final seconds, dropping three and a half games behind the Pistons for the best record in the Eastern Conference."

2. More info The above is

enough for those who have a passing interest in the sport. However, NBA fans would want more information and you could give it to them in one or two paragraphs.

The Cavaliers were without star player LeBron James, suffering from a knee injury, while the Celtics were minus Paul Pierce. Gerald Green led the way for Celtics with 25 points while Kendrick Perkins had 12 points and nine rebounds. The Cavaliers, for whom Larry Hughes scored 24 with Sasha Pavlovic scoring 17, have already qualified for the play-offs while Boston are out of the running."

3. Quote This is where you

can provide a quote from the coach or a key player from both teams. You can precede each saying with a lead-in paragraph or go straight into the quote.

Celtic forward Al Jefferson, said: They were missing their best player and we were missing our best play. We just stuck in there. Cavs coach Mike Brown said James absence was a key factor in their loss.

4. The rest Once you got the

main information and key quotes out of the way, you can go on to describe the game. Even better would be to describe just one or two plays and include more quotes.

tips for improving

10
scholastic newspaper sports writing:
Steve Row, Journalism Education Coordinator, Richmond Newspapers Inc.

1. Write about players and teams,

not about games. When school

papers come out once every four to six weeks, stories about individual games a month earlier serve little purpose and in fact are a waste of space.

2.When writing about players, always

identify them by class in school and position on team. Don't say

"John Smith" when you can say "senior tackle John Smith," and don't say "Sue Jones" when you can say "sophomore goalkeeper Sue Jones." And don't use double-digit numbers to refer to either grade in school or year of graduating class.

3. Keep up with team statistics

and use them frequently in stories. Find out who keeps the scoraebooks for various sports, and review the stats often.

4. Keep up with individual statistics and use them frequently in stories.

If a player sets or ties a school or local record, note it in a story. Maybe highlight it as its own story. Be sure your coaches and/or athletic director inform you when an athlete or team ties or breaks a record.

5. Know sports writing style: scores are

numerals separated by hyphens (12-6, not 12 to 6); team records are numerals separated by hyphens (8-2, not 8 and 2); winning scores always come first, even if your school did not win the contest (your team lost 12-6, not 6-12). Spell your opponents' school name and nickname or mascot correctly.

6.Make sure your sports stories are the last stories turned in before deadline. This is so the

stories can contain the most up-to-date records, standings.

7. If you are writing about a team, watch the team practice and watch the team play. You must be present
to know what happened, and you must take notes on what you are watching. You cannot write a good sports story on the basis of what someone tells you from memory.

8. If you are doing a profile on an athlete, watch that person at practice and watch that person in competition.

9.Look for opportunities to do sports feature stories that are not tied directly to games. These might
include stories about student trainers, the pre-season tryout process, different coaching philosophies, why benchwarmers persist in trying out for teams when they know they won't get much playing time.

10. Sports writing can be more flexible than news or feature writing, but remember that even in sports writing a clear distinction exists between reporting and commenting. If you are

writing your own opinion about a team or a sport or a sports issue, that is commentary.

SPORTSWRITING RULES:
NEVER be a cheerleader for your teams on the sports pages. Don't write about "our" team, write about "the" team. NEVER congratulate a team or an athlete in your sports stories. NEVER end a story like this: "The Fighting Gnus will undoubtedly be the class of conference and will achieve anything they set out to do.

Philippine Soccer Team Azkals

Phil and James Younghusband

Philippine Rugby Team Volcanoes

Efren Bata Reyes and Django Bustamante

Philippine Dragon Boat Team

Manny Pacquiao

Wesley So

Jeson Patrombon

Tim Lincecum (Filipino/White)

Known as: Professional Baseball Player (Starting Pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball; Two-time Cy Young Award winner; Four-time All-Star; 2010 Babe Ruth Award Winner; 2008 MLB Strikeout Champion; Three-time National League Strikeout Champion)

Maria Sharapova

Li Na

Michael Phelps

Lin Dan

Usain Bolt

Ateneo nears elimination-round sweep

Cebu Daily News7:08 am | Sunday, September 4th, 2011

THE SECOND encounter proved to be just as one-sided as the first one as the Ateneo Blue Eagles moved a win away from achieving a sweep of the elimination round after they disposed of the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 61-39, in the 74th UAAP basketball tournament yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum. The four-time champions Eagles are now just a victory away from gaining an outright seat in the finals, but will be hardpressed to complete the feat with the Adamson Soaring Falcons standing in their way.

Struggling to bust the Bulldogs zone all game, the defending champion turned to its defense and held NU to its lowest scoring output since the start of the archiving of statistics in the UAAP in 2003. A telling third period exploit triggered by a 10-0 blast to conclude the first half gave the Blue Eagles their commanding advantage as they dropped 22 points compared to the Bulldogs eight in one just one quarter.

Mainstays Kirk Long and Nico Salva and newcomers Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter took turns in the demolition job, churning out double-double scoring. Salva, whose slam with 7:36 in the fourth quarter spiked the lead to 24 points, 55-31, produced a game-best 14 points even as Slaughter, Ravena and Long added 13, 12 and 10 markers respectively. Long, who was tasked to contain NU Ray Parks, held the hyped rookie to just 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting and forced him to commit five turnovers.

Parks and Emmanuel Mbe contributed 10 points each in a losing cause for NU. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio

Alaska's storied partnership ends

By Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star) Updated September 02, 2011 12:00 AM MANILA, Philippines - The Alaska Aces ball club and long-time coach Tim Cone officially parted ways yesterday, ending probably the most successful team-mentor partnership in the Philippine Basketball Association. As theres been a lot of speculations, questions, we felt its important to address the issue professionally. Were now confirming that we have released Tim Cone as head coach of Alaska Aces, team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu said in a press conference in Makati.

Alaska's storied partnership ends

Cone handled the coaching chores for Alaska the past 22 years, leading them to 13 championships spiked by a rare grand slam in 1996 and a near-triple crown in 1998. The former TV analyst steered the franchise to 25 Finals appearances throughout his tenure. Tim wants to explore other options, challenge himself, pursue other horizons. Were saddened but of course, we wish him well. We really had quite a journey. We know theres never been a 22-year partnership like this in the PBA and there never will be another,Uytengsu said.

Im disappointed, though, that Im not gonna see Tim break Baby Dalupans record while coaching Alaska, he added, referring to the legendary Crispa mentor who owns 15 PBA titles, just two ahead of Cone. Uytengsu said the show goes on for Alaska and for starters, they are elevating senior assistant Joel Banal to Cones old job. I wouldnt consider it a rest; more of a change in direction, kind of parting of ways, not a breakup, and taking a different career path, Cone said in explaining his decision to ask for a release from Alaska.

The grapevine is swirling with talks of Cone supposedly moving to another team but the multititled mentor himself said hes not going anywhere for now. I dont have any firm offer. I have close friends saying theres this or that but Ive not done anything. Im kinda open, he said. Saying goodbye to a long-time partner was quite emotionally draining for Cone. Ive been actually married to the Alaska organization longer than Im married to my wife, said a teary-eyed Cone.

The hardest thing for me right now is leaving the players. When I saw them here, its like a sledgehammer hitting my heart. I dont want anyone to feel Im abandoning them but in fact I am so it kills me, he said, getting a warm hug from team captain Tony dela Cruz. But both Cone and Alaska management expressed confidence with Banal, an assistant for 10 years and champion coach with Talk N Text in 2003, taking over. He (Banal) is too good to be an assistant coach, said Cone.

Special Mass held for Pacquiao, Marquez at Manila Cathedral

A special Mass was held Sunday at the Manila Cathedral for Filipino boxing icon Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel Manny" Pacquiao and Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez, who will face each other in the ring on November 12. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo presided over the Mass that started shortly after 8:30 a.m., according to a report by radio dzBBs Manny Vargas. But Pacquiao and his party had yet to arrive more than 10 minutes after the Mass started, the report added.

In contrast, Marquez received an early tour of the historic Manila Cathedral after he and his party arrived early. Marquez wore denim pants and a purple shirt, the report added. Cathedral rector Msgr. Nestor Cerbo led officials in giving Marquez a tour of the historic structure. Security was tight at the Cathedral, which was packed with regular Sunday churchgoers. Pacquiao and Marquez held a face-off in Manila Saturday to promote their November 12 bout. The two are to leave abroad to promote the bout further before going into training. LBG, GMA News

Manny Pacquiao unrelenting in workout

By Ronnie Nathanielsz, Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILAManny Pacquiao hurt his left wrist early in a punch mitts session with Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez on Thursday evening at the Planet Jupiter Gym in Makati City. But after a short break, Pacquiao shrugged off the discomfort and continued his workout for six rounds in-between discussing strategy with Fernandez on how to counter Juan Manuel Marquez favorite right straight and uppercut.

Pacquiao told the Inquirer that Fernandez was adept at strategy for the Marquez duel at the MGM Grand on Nov. 12 because he watched my two previous fights with Marquez and he knows his style. Pacquiao was throwing combinations to the midsection which was protected by a body-guard when he inadvertently landed a hard left on the punch-mitt that Fernandez used to cushion the impact of Pacquiaos body shots.

Pacquiao appeared to twist his left wrist as he connected and shouted and grimaced in apparent pain with adviser Michael Koncz and Fernandez himself showing concern. But Pacquiao made Fernandez remove his bodyguard and Pacquiao went through his regular routine working on the speed ball along with skipping rope and a series of abdominal exercises. Although he was faster and hit harder on the fourth day of his return to the gym after a four-month layoff since his last fight against Shane Mosley, Pacquiao said he was not satisfied because I am only 50 percent.

Reacting to Marquezs earlier statement warning him to train hard because their fight was going to be a war, Pacquiao replied: Its going to be a war for him, for me its going to be fun. But Pacquiao later insisted that it will be a good fight and well give the fans a great fight to watch. Fernandez said that Pacquiaos trainer Freddie Roach had taught him how to handle light training at the start of his workouts.

What is a striking 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 Examples: Beermen dump Gins, 106-93 Fil-Am sprints for gold in 100m, sets new record in SEA Games

VERBS USED IN SPORTS WRITING

English
Bag Grab Harvest Sweep Triumph Clinch Take

Filipino
Nakamit Dinurog Napasakamay Namayani Namayagpag Nanguna Nasungkit

English
Claim Cop Seize Reign supreme Rule Hack out

Filipino
Naghari Winalis Nasulot Naagaw Nagkampeon Nanalo

English
Blank Overwhelm Outsmart Outclass Destroy Demolish Knock out Shock Shame

Filipino
Hinagupit Ginulantang Nilupig Hiniya Pinaluhod Pinabagsak Nagapi Naungusan nilupig

Prevail over Snatch Pocket Capture Romp away Bring home Chalk up

Nakopo Humakot Bumandera Umani Nakuha Naibulsa naangkin

Beat Rip Batter Nip Overpower Crush Pulverize

Dinurog Pinulbos Ginapi Pinatulog Pinatumba Pinataob Pinadapa

END
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