G. Herbst, 2011

 Focus should always be on ACTION  Transmit action through: ▪ Variety ▪ news, features, profiles, sidebars, etc ▪ Photographs ▪ Writing ▪ look forward; use active verbs and active voice ▪ Broaden coverage ▪ cover frosh-soph, JV, intramurals, etc  A good sports reporter attends the games they are writing about, and keeps in constant contact with key members of the team (coaches, captains, managers, strongest players)

 Good writing and good journalism are good for sports coverage  Sports journalist should be well versed in the sport(s) they cover  Should capture a sport’s flair and flavor  Involves readers in all aspects of the game  Challenges of particular sport  Rules  Standings  The better the writer understands the dynamics of the team, the better the stories they will capture

 For the print edition, coverage can be complicated  What to focus on when covering a game: 1. Who won? 2. What were the game highlights? 3. Did anyone set or nearly set a record? 4. Why was the game important in standings and for one or more players? 5. What other elements stood out? 6. What consequences, if any, are likely?

 Writing a sports game preview/advance  An overview, perhaps by a sports columnist, of what the rest of the season looks like in the light of the team’s record so far  Concise paragraphs about upcoming games, concentrating on what to watch for in each, and grouped as sports briefs with longer paragraphs about the major rivalry

 Analysis  Interpretation  Overview  Background  Interview  Feature  Non-traditional coverage

1. Strive to look forward, not back in time.  Examples: ▪ Poor: After disappointing losses for its first four games, Norman varsity football found a winning formula Oct. 16 with two touchdown passes from quarterback Brand Post to end Jim Wagner as it edged Morningside ▪ NOTE: Save losses for later paragraphs ▪ Poor: On their way to repeat the success of last year’s team, JV girls’ soccer team shut out its first five opponents, winning 2-0 against Inglewood April 11. ▪ Better: After its 2-0 win against Mayfair April 11, the JV girls’ soccer team posted shutouts against its first five opponents and looks ready to win a second successive league championship.

2. Stick to third person, except in quotations.  Examples ▪ Poor: Our varsity basketball team fought to the finish… ▪ Better: The Norman varsity basketball team fought to the finish…

3. Keep stories free of strictly one-sided reporting; NO editorializing  Examples ▪ Poor: A highly deserved win over the Santa Monica Vikings Feb. 29 proved again that the Beverly basketball team is the best. ▪ Better: A win over the Santa Monica Vikings Feb. 29 strengthened Beverly’s standing in the league basketball championship race.

4. Know the sports you write about.  Correctly use and spell the specialized terms of each sport.  Not all sports events are games; some are matches or contests.  Know the rules, the strategies, the records and the schedules, but avoid becoming too technical for less learned readers.

5. Keep your writing moving forward.  Use strong verbs and precise nouns.  Avoid using trite expressions that strain to be striking and colorful, but only sound cliched.

6. Seek informative quotes that tell the inside story.  Example: Looking forward to future games after the win over Morningside, the coach said, “Everyone’s aching to topple us.” He stated it was, “best to take it one game at a time.”

7. Look for the inside story  Attend practices—look, listen and learn.  Talk with and quote athletes as well as coaches for insights and opinions.

8. Be fair to the opposition, but show enthusiasm  Strive for balance coverage that offers valid evaluations of both your team’s and your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses  It’s ok to promote the home team, but don’t belittle the opponent. ▪ For example, put your school’s score first: ▪ Beverly 6, Venice 4 OR Normans 6, Gondoliers 4  Concentrate on highlights ▪ Especially after a close game or a win ▪ Mention pluses—good moves or smart plays after a loss

9. Keep the game and the entire season in perspective  Know records and standings of: ▪ Home team ▪ Home team players ▪ Opponents  Evaluate and interpret: ▪ Key plays ▪ Strategies ▪ Overall situation with statistics, background info, facts  Always remember you are a reporter, not just a fan ▪ Think of your story as you watch the game and take notes

 Write word sports article about a game or a series of games  Must include direct quotes from interviews with two members of the team (coach, players, manager) ▪ For a new perspective: interview fans  Must include facts, figures, feelings  May be about a frosh-soph, JV or varsity game  Completed, final draft due Tuesday, Dec. 6  Typed, double spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman