Sports News Lead

The lead
Like any other news story, a sports story has a lead and a body. The sports lead is the
attention-getter, the news is a- nut-shell.
The classic 5Ws appear in the sports lead as:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Who won?
Against whom?
By what score?
Where?
When?

For example:
The Torres High School Quintet poured 10 baskets in the last three minutes to edge out the
Osminians 65-63 at the opponents homeground yesterday afternoon.
Who won? The Torres High School Quintet
Against whom? Poured 10 baskets in the last three minutes to edge out the Osmenians
By what score? 65-63
Where? At the opponents homeground
When? Yesterday afternoon
This kind of summary lead may vary.
The lead can also dramatize other elements like:

A. The key play

The Soliman High School sluggers bombed the Lakandula batter with six runs in the third
inning to subdue a nerve-frazzling lakandula rally,14-12 as they clinched the invitational
game here, in connection with the celebration of the Foundation Day of Lakandula National
High School.
B. The outstanding player
Romeo Reyes of Roxas High School, after almost four hours of battle over the chess
board, copped the most coveted YMCA trophy after outwitting Manila High school chesser
William Santos in 27 moves of a Sicilian defense.
C. Analytical approach
The outcome of the game is the result of a particular key play in action. Riding high on
sizzling spike and tricky placing, the MLQ netters blasted the Laurel High killers in the actual
crucial thirds set to win 15-10, 11-15, 15-7 in a mini district meet, Sept. 21 at the Torres High
School oval to celebrate the First Filipino Thanks-giving Day.

The Body
After the lead, the other elements follow in descending order.
These will include:
A. 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 relation to their competitors.
Example: The Golden State Warriors look unbeatable, the Cleveland Cavaliers are
struggling, and both the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are falling way short
of expectations. But atop the Eastern Conference are the Washington Wizards and Atlanta
Hawks.
B. Decisive plays
This is the most crucial part of the game that gives a certain team the winning margin.
Example: Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan struggles to control the ball as he
drives around New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham, right, during first-half
NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015
C. 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.
Example: Despite blowing a 19-point halftime lead, Kansas managed to hold on for an
85-78 win over Oklahoma on Monday night.
D. Play-by-play
Due to limited space, play-by-play has to be condensed. In top of boxing events, a
separate round-by-round account is provided, describing the progress of the fight in detail.
Example: Round 1: Matsuda takes the center of the Octagon, tagging Sanchez right away.
Sanchez firing off with big-time kicks and punches. He drops Matsuda with a right hand and
pounces with just over two minutes to go. Matsuda now in the guard and he appears to have

survived for the moment. Sanchez attempting to mount, instead switches to a rear-naked choke
as they stand. Sanchez bouncing around, picking his openings and striking.
FightLine scores the round 10-9 for Sanchez
Round 2: Matsuda again trying to work from the center and control the offense, but eats a
straight right. Here comes Matsuda back, landing a 1-2 combo. Takedown for Sanchez, working
for mount early in the round. Matsuda gets to his feet, but eats a left for his effort. Excellent
striking from both men through this round, keeping it standing for the most part.
FightLine scores the round 10-9 for Matsuda
Round 3: Sanchez comes out much quicker this time, not letting Matsuda take the center.
Matsuda the more effective striker this round, busting open the nose of Sanchez. Big time power
out of Sanchez again, rocking him with shots. He gains the clinch and tries to land a knee, but
misses. Sanchez literally pushes him to the ground and pounces, landing shots all over the place.
Credit Matsuda for being able to survive all of these shots from Sanchez, but hes been
dominated this round.
E. Quotations
It is customary for the hero of the day to have his sentiments recorded for posterity.
Example: Carzola was telling BBC sports Today the team played very well. When we
defend well, we have so many chances to win the game. Oliver Giroud was amazing; hes
a very important striker for us.
The above format was the suggestion of sports writer Eduardo Lachica of The Philippine Herald.
Suggested Pointers

1. The score or outcome Who won? That of course is the central point of the story. Even if
the game should end in tie, with a riot, or be called off on account of a rain, the outcome
is still important.
Example: Cavaliers 108, Bulls 94
LeBron James scored 26 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers continued their resurgence
with a 108-94 victory over the Chicago Bulls. All five Cleveland starters scored in double
figures as the Cavs improved to 3-1 since James returned from a two-week layoff to rest
an injured knee and back.
2. 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?
Example: After leaving a do-or-die game early, some Seattle Seahawks fans got exactly
what they deserved. The 2015 NFC Championship Game wasn't looking good for
the home team in the waning minutes of the contest. That led some Seahawks fans to
leave CenturyLink Field prematurely. That turned out to be a massive mistake. Seattle
pulled off an incredible comeback against the Green Bay Packers, scoring 15 points in
the final 2:09 of regulation. The Seahawks then won the gameand advanced to
the Super Bowlin overtime on Russell Wilson's 35-yard touchdown pass to
Jermaine Kearse.
3. 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 the midcourt if it
were a basketball.

Example: Hawks 120, Wizards 89

Guard Kyle Korver went 5-of-7 on three-point attempts en route to 19 points and the red-hot
Atlanta Hawks ran their winning streak to eightgames with a 120-89 home rout of the
Washington Wizards. The victory was the 22nd in the past 24 games for the Hawks (29-8), who
made 16 three-pointers and forced the Wizards into 19 turnovers.
4. Comparison of the teams Which was the better team? Was the defending champion outjumped on the rebound? Who did better from the foul line? In what department were the
losers weak?
Example: Not only the Blazers first in rebounding, first in defense and sixth in points per
game, they have the chemistry of a great NBA team. Both of the Blazers and Warriors
rely heavily on 3-point shooting; the only difference is when Stephen Curry and Klay
Thompson have a bad shooting night, the Warriors are almost guaranteed to lose, where if
the Blazers guards have a bad shooting night, they have plenty of other options to win.
5. Individual stars While present-day sports story on team- work have greatly discourage
individual stars and so called grandstand players, there are still instances where some
players stand out from the rest. Who are they? What have they done to become the heroes
of the game?
Example: In a game littered with stars, it was a 19-year-old running back who shined
brightest. Ezekiel Elliott was the best player on the field in Ohio State's 42-20 win over
Oregon Monday night in the CFB Playoff National Championship Game. He was the clear
difference in the game, rushing for 246 yards and four touchdowns against a Ducks defense
that was baffled by the run all night.

Elliott's running style reminds me of Fred Taylor's. He was explosive between the tackles as well
as outside. He gave the Buckeye's favorable situations throughout game, and was money in short
yardage.
6. Weather conditions Mud, sunshine, heat, cold or wind may have a bearing on the game.
Example: Opponent No.1 for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday was supposed to be the
New England Patriots.
But another enemy is threatening Indy's chances at an AFC Championship Game win
and a trip to the Super Bowl.
Rain, heavy rain, is predicted to move into Fox borough in the second half of the game at
Gillette Stadium. Local Boston meteorologists are estimating a half inch to threequarters of an inch will fall as the crucial, latter part of the game plays out.
Why that is bad for the Colts, whose home field at Lucas Oil Stadium sits under a cozy
roof that can be closed or opened at the team's will: The Patriots are undefeated in the
rain the past two seasons. The Colts were winless in the rain during the same time frame
until last week's victory against the Broncos, which included a sprinkling.

7. Crowd and celebration Dont forget the spectators. Was it a record crowd? How did the
spectators behave? Were they particularly hostile to the referee?

Reference:

Basic Campus Journalism for Third Year

By: Ceciliano-Jose B. Cruz
PNU-DECS National Teachers Trainer in Campus Journalism
Prepared by: Lea Joy Carmi D. Dela Torre