Handout in Sports Writing

By Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.)

Comparing News and Sports News Leads

• Let us check the following lead paragraphs and identify which of them are “newsy” and which are
“sporty” based on

– format

– diction

– who-what-where-when-why-how

– verb use

Conventional Newsy Leads Action, significance-oriented, sporty

The San Gregorio School Crusaders Jose Obmerga played the role of savior
edged the Quezon National High School for San Gregorio School as he buried a
Orators 65-63 yesterday at the Barangay hook shot at the buzzer to lift the
Crusaders to a thrilling 65-63 conquest
Covered courts.
of the Quezon National High School
Orators last night at the Barangay San
Gregorio Covered courts.
Donnie Nietes defeated Erik Ramirez in Filipino Donnie Nietes knocked down
their World Boxing Organization (WBO) Erik Ramirez of Mexico four times and
minimumweight fight in Oaxaca, Mexico went on to retain his World Boxing
Organization (WBO) minimumweight
yesterday.
crown in Oaxaca, Mexico yesterday.
Jimbo Nagal defeated Mako Sato last Jimbo Nagal proved that height and
night in their fight held at the Ynares heft are of little value when he
Sports Complex in Antipolo City. knocked out Japanese Mako Sato
during their battle last night fight at the
Ynares Sports Complex in Antipolo City
and win the World Boxing Council
Straw weight title.

The Basilan Science High School Pirates The Philippine Science High School
lost to the Philippine Science High Labuyo played perfect soccer in scoring
School Labuyo, 19-0 yesterday at the a 19-0 demolition of a totally
PSHS soccer field. It was a knockout outclassed Basilan Science HS Pirates
match. The winner goes to the Division on their home field to earn the right to
Finals to meet the Ateneo de challenge the Ateneo de Zamboanga
Zamboanga Caballeros. Caballeros in the Division Finals.

Rexel Ryan Fabriga won in the FINA Rexel Ryan Fabriga booked a ticket to
Diving World Cup last Monday at the the Beijing Olympics with a solid
performance in the FINA Diving World

Sports Writing by Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.), National Training of Trainers 2015 Page 1
 Water Cube in Beijing. Cup last Monday at the Water Cube in
Beijing.

Princess Camille Rosales defeated her Princess Camille Rosales earned the
six opponents during the Division lone Scientian slot to the Regional NCR
Athletic Meet held at P. Bernardo Palaro after she swept the competition,
Elementary School last September 14. 6-0, during the Division Athletic Meet
held at P. Bernardo Elementary School
last September 14.

Using a masterful attacking game,

Rosales blitzed Balingasa’s Elyssa
Obang, who practically lost most of her
pieces in the face of the Scientian’s
aggressive strategy

Maria Sharapova won over fellow

Maria Sharapova maintained her
Russian Vera Zvonareva, 6-1, 2-6, 6-0, at
unbeaten record in 2008 by claiming
the Qatar Open on Sunday.
her second title of the year with a win
over fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva at
the Qatar Open on Sunday.

The Australian Open champion won 6-

1, 2-6, 6-0 against her unseeded but
impressive opponent, producing a
ferocious final set performance which
once again underlined her as the player
to beat right now.

Winalis lahat ni Dennis Orcollo ang

Tinalo ni Dennis Orcollo ang lahat ng tinik sa kanyang daan patungo sa finals
kanyang unang nakalaban. Pero natalo ngunit nabigo para sa korona nang
siya kay Ko Pin, 15-14 para sa korona ng yumuko ito kay Taiwanese Ko Pin, na
Brunswick-Thailand 9-Ball Open noong humakot ng 11 sunod na racks tungo sa
Linggo ng gabi sa Bangkok. kapana-panabik na 15-14 panalo para
masungkit ang korona at makuntento
ang Pinoy sa runner-up place sa Brun-
swick-Thailand 9-Ball Open noong
Linggo ng gabi sa Bangkok. (59 words)

SPORTS STORY LEAD FOCUS: RESULT-ORIENTED

• The standard sports story lead answers the following series of questions in random order:
• Who won? Against whom? By what Score (or in what round/time/rank/order)? When? Where?

Sports Writing by Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.), National Training of Trainers 2015 Page 2
 SPORTS LINGO:
• Set of terminologies that could determine the quality of the story to be written
• Some stories are considered CLOSE contests
• Some stories are identified as BLOW OUT events
• Each separate set has its own set of vocabulary that can best describe action
The Verb in Sports Reporting
• The main difference between regular news and sports stories concerns the use of verbs and
modifiers. Strong, active, specific verbs that depict the action, the drama and the excitement that
unfolded during the match are regularly used. Modifiers are also used in abundance, but it is advised that
these adjectives be used only when necessary. As a rule of thumb, use modifiers only in moderation.
• Almost always, the Sports Story will have a winner and a loser. Rarely do we have cases of ties or
draws. Thus, it is almost always automatic that the first verb that comes to mind is DEFEATED. This,
however is misleading as it fails to give us a fair account of the excitement and quality of the game that
took place.
Defeated:
For close games: For blow out matches:

 Nipped  Demolished

• Edged  Drubbed

• Scratched past  Massacred

• Survived  Dominated

• Squeaked past  Bombarded

O sa Filipino, iwasan hanggang maaari ang paggamit ng salitang Tinalo:

• Nalusutan • Dinurog

• Naligtasan • Binomba

• Naungusan • Niyanig

• Pinitik • Inilampaso

• Kinapos • Pinabagsak

Building Sports Lingo:

Read newspapers regularly. Identify the verbs, the adverbs and the adjectives that can be used in writing a
sports news.
Then, separate verbs by type of ending (close vs blowout games) and by event (volleyball, basketball,
boxing, racing, bowling, billiards, etc).

Sports Writing by Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.), National Training of Trainers 2015 Page 3
 Sample build up of a sports lead:
IBA (RSD) – Bernard Samson buried a three-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Yellow Troggs past the Blue
Dolphins 75-72.
Better:
IBA (RSD) – Bernard Samson had never hit a game-winning shot in his six-year basketball career -- until
Sunday night.
Samson drained an awkward 3-pointer as time expired to lift the Yellow Troggs past the Blue
Dolphins 75-72.
His buzzer beater capped Samson's already impressive performance as the lumbering Troggs’ reserve
forward scored a career-high 33 points to snap the tournament’s best win streak.

Key Points in Sports Story Lead Writing:

• The Sports Story lead is a critical component of the story. Its fundamental qualities include:
1. appeal (being catchy)
2. clear focus (on the game result)
3. uses the most dramatic, yet most specific verb that best describes the quality of action
4. preference for the active voice to emphasize the current situation
5. and, it is practical to describe the winner’s actions before the loser’s.

SAMPLE COMBAT STORY:

Nietes stops Mexican in lopsided bout
PDI, March 02, 2009
MANILA, Philippines - Filipino Donnie Nietes knocked down Erik Ramirez of Mexico four times and
went on to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight crown in Oaxaca, Mexico
yesterday.
Nietes dominated Ramirez early with a flurry of punches, scoring a knockdown in the first round then
sending the local fighter to the canvas again thrice – in the fourth, ninth and the 12th rounds.
The three judges scored the bout at 115-109, 116-108 and 113-111, all in favor of the Filipino
champion from Murcia, Negros Occidental, according to Juan Carlos Gubi of Boxnoticias.
“I came here to fight but I clearly lost. Nietes is a great champion no doubt and I hope to have another
opportunity in the future,” said Ramirez after the fight.
The win firmed up Nietes’ claim as the best minimumweight fighter in the world today as he outshone
WBA champion Roman Gonzalez, who settled for a hard-fought majority decision over Mexican
Francisco Rosas in the same card.
With the victory, Nietes improved to 24-1-3 with 14 KOs, making him the legitimate star fighter of the
ALA Gym.
A big right sent Ramirez crashing to the canvas in the first round. Another solid right downed the
Mexican again in the fifth.
Nietes’ right found its mark anew in the ninth round for another knockdown but Ramirez countered
with a solid right in the final round.
In a make-or-break bid, Ramirez tried to go for a kill against the Filipino, who unleashed another right
that sent the Mexican down for the fourth time.

SAMPLE BADMINTON STORY:

Local shuttlers dominate PLHS, lose steam against SFHS
By Mychael Miravite, September 28, 2007

The Quezon City Science High School boys badminton squad shattered Pugad Lawin High School
with relentless smashing and crafty drop shots but later bowed to a more experienced San
Francisco High School last September 12 at the school covered court.

Sports Writing by Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.), National Training of Trainers 2015 Page 4
 The hosts put on a brilliant game against their Pugad Lawin counterparts in sweeping their two
matches. But their efforts were not enough as they succumbed into a stronger San Francisco side
which easily drubbed them in straight sets.
Sophomore Leopoldo Palad spearheaded Quesci’s campaign as he rained Pugad Lawin’s Edcel
Verioso with thunderous smashes to score a n impressive 21-17, 21-12 win and ensure a Unit meet
berth.
Verioso, PLHS ace player however gave Palad a hard time to earn his win as he built an early 9-3
advantage. But the Edison II student rebounded mightily to reclaim the lead and eventually cop the
first set, 21-17.
Determined to compete in the Unit meet, Palad then outplayed Verioso in the second set with
nicely placed drops to clinch the game, 21-12.
Jomari Mendoza on the other hand needed three nerve-frazzling sets to outlast PLHS’ Hector
Dueco, 21-19, 19-21, 21-12. But his luck ran out as he suffered a bitter 8-21, 10-21 defeat against a
quicker Patrick Esponga of San Francisco High School.
Becquerel II’s Jeff Agudelo and Aries Mendoza had a good start but their foes proved too much
for them to handle as SFHS tandem Marius Trinidad and Geneta Ronalde humbled the Scientians
with fearless baseline attacks and well-angled drop shots, 21-14, 16-21, 15-21 and put the pair out of
this year’s District meet contention.
Tough luck.
And with the Scientians’ frustration mounting, Palad was then hounded by errors in his second
game against Allan Lumapao and absorbed a painful 10-21, 17-21 loss.
“Mas matagal talaga ang preparation nila kaya nahirapan tayo. Babawi na lang tayo next time,”
said Scientian coach Hope Toledo. #

Sample sports adjectives and verbs that can be used for writing sports stories:
descriptors for:
A. poor performance Malamyang laro
Atrocious palpak
Anemic mahina, kapos
Frigid malamig
ice cold
woeful nakakapanghina
horrid walang tibay
horrible
rusty kinakalawang
quiet tahimik
limped pipilay-pilay
bothered ininda
sore masakit, may pilay
pathetic nakakaawa
unimaginable hindi mawarian, hindi kapani-paniwala
inept inutil, hindi maaasahan
awful masagwa
forgettable napakapangit
never got into a rhythm hindi nagawa, hindi nagamit
shot the ball horrendously sumablay/pumalpak sa pagtira

B, Outstanding performance
Magical hindi kapani-paniwala, mala-mahika, napakagaling
heads up inspirado
inspiring kaiga-igaya, nakabibilib
gung-ho determinado
huge napakalaki, napaka-importante

Sports Writing by Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.), National Training of Trainers 2015 Page 5
great bayani

C. Easy victory
won with ease walang hirap
dominated/dominance dinomina
soared umangat, puma-ilanglang, umalimbuyog
barely broke a sweat halos hindi pinagpawisan, medaling natapos
blitzed binigla, hindi tinantanan
coasted to victory

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
(nasugatan)
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 pagtatapos ng laro
buried 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 jumpshooting team napigilan ang opensa at napuwersang
tumira mula sa labas
G. offensive, penalty-deserving moves
malicious elbow siniko
nasty blow tinira
vicious pick binalya
ghastly nakakarindi
dangerous tackle mapanganib na foul, sinahod
poked in the eye sinundot sa mata, nabulag

H. game dropping action (patalo)

ill-advised maling diskarte
slumbered through tinulugan
made a costly turnover nagkamali

Sample Exercises:
Pagsamahin ang mga pinakamahalagang detalye at bumuo lamang ng ISANG malinis, malinaw at
maganda basahin na compound-complex sentence. 5 minuto.
Sports Writing by Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.), National Training of Trainers 2015 Page 6
 • District 2 defeated District 4. The score was 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 16-14. The game
was played yesterday afternoon. It was played at the gym of the District 5. District 5 is host to
this year’s Collaboration Volleyball Tournament. By defeating District 4, the winning team
made it to the knockout semifinals. The winners will next face the defending champions from
District 9.
Possible answers:
• District 2 defeated District 4, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 16-14 yesterday afternoon at the
District 5 gym to advance to the knockout semifinals where it will face the defending
champions from District 9.
• Tinalo ng District 2 ang District 4 kahapon sa iskor na 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 16-14 at
umabante sa knockout semifinals kung saan nila makakaharap ang defending champions
mula sa District 9.
• District 2 advanced to the knockout semifinals of the Collaboration Volleyball Tournament
after defeating District 4, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 16-14 yesterday afternoon at the District
5 gym and will next face the defending champions from District 9.
• Umabante sa semifinals ng Collaboration Volleyball Tournament ang District 2 matapos
talunin ang District 4, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 16-14 kahapon sa District 5 gym.
• The Cinderella run of District 2 in the Collaboration Volleyball Tournament continues after the
White Knights scored a 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 16-14 marathon win against District 4
yesterday at the District 5 gym to clinch a spot in the semifinals against the defending
champions from District 9.
• Patuloy ang mala-Cinderellang kampanya ng District 2 sa Collaboration Volleyball tournament
matapos ang kanilang 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 16-14 na panalo laban sa District 4 kahapo
sa District 5 Gymnasium at ibulsa ang puwesto sa semifinals laban sa mga nagtatanggol na
kampeyon mula sa District 9.

Basketball Drill
W-L TEAM I II III IV F
• (0-6) Shohoku 11 27 28 35 101
• (6-0) Kainan 25 23 25 29 102
• Game was played yesterday 3 pm
• Barangay Cabangan Inter-Color Basketball League
• Venue is Cabangan Sports Complex
• 12 teams are entered in the tournament
• Round robin format applies
• Supply names, details of players, etc.

Track and Field:

Amoranto Stadium Track and Field

9 a.m. today

Lane Runner School Time Grade Age

1 Jose Basco San Francisco ES 15.28 6 12
2 Timothy Cruz Damayan ES 15.49 6 12
3 Stefanio Ong Kamuning ES 14.08 6 13
4. Gerry Diaz Masambong ES 14.00 5 10
5 Leon Ortega R. Magsaysay ES 14.36 5 11

District I Athletic Meet Championships

Semi Finals of the 100 meter sprint events
The top 3 placers advance to the Finals tomorrow
Meet record is 14.02 set by Orly Jayme 10 years ago
Supply names, details of players, etc.

Volleyball (Streaks at stake):

Sports Writing by Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.), National Training of Trainers 2015 Page 7
 • Team I II III IV Pre-Game Record
• Red Rangers: 25 25 25 25 4-0
• Blue Wizards: 23 27 27 27 0-4
• Yesterday 10am
• Smart Araneta Coliseum
• Quezon City Employees Inter-Departmental Volleyball Tournament (Women’s Division)
• 16 teams entered
• Supply names, stats of players involved

Volleyball (Winner ties loser for tournament leadership):

• Team I II III IV Pre-Game Record
• Red Rangers: 25 25 25 25 5-0
• Blue Wizards: 23 27 27 27 4-1
• Yesterday 5pm
• Smart Araneta Coliseum
• Quezon City Employees Inter-Departmental Volleyball Tournament (Women’s Division)
• 16 teams entered
• Supply names, stats of players involved

Sports Writing by Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.), National Training of Trainers 2015 Page 8
Relevant issues about the State of Sports Writing, Coverage and its
Treatment in School Publications
By Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.)

▫ By whom:
By student or by “ghost” writers?
and
▫ For whom?
For the school community versus for the pleasure of the evaluator

Depth and Limitations of Language Use

◦ Sports Lingo
◦ Appropriateness of Sports Vocabulary
◦ Headlining Issues

Content, Variety & Selection

 National and International events versus local coverage
 Action Stories: Manny Pacquiao’s exploits versus
local events documentation
 Speech reports: By whom, for whom, about what?
 Advancers: How practical are they in monthly, quarterly or semestral publications?
◦ Sports Features
◦ Sports Editorials and Opinion Columns
◦ Diversified leads
◦ Recycled Sports Stories

Sourcing & Quality of Research

▫ The importance of Networking
▫ Field Coverage
▫ Research and the Growing Overdependence on Internet sources

The Campus Sports Writing Mentality

▫ For publication or for competition
▫ For student training and learning or for winning
▫ By student or by “ghost” writers
Long-term, step-by-step development versus instant write ups courtesy of “true”
student sports writers or by “others”
Student produced articles should mirror their true age, voice and skill levels.
◦ For the school community versus for the pleasure of the evaluator-judge
◦ Should the school paper’s sports section prioritize documenting the local community’s issues,
problems and sentiments, participation, triumphs and achievements or that of national or
international events that have no direct link with the school?
◦ Many students are no longer fond of reading so they can’t recognize different styles and
different forms of writing.
◦ Most writing teachers are also not into sports. In fact, many writing teachers find it “too
technical.”
◦ The supposed “lack of concrete how-to-materials” that can help teachers teach the
subject.

Use and Sourcing of Pictures

 Is it real? Photo Editing Issues: I was there, just ask Photoshop
 There was a time when the phrase “Pictures don’t lie…” meant something. With the
development of digital editing programs, everything seems possible now.
 Just ask Siamese Cat, the team’s leading blocker .

 Pictures by whom?

Sports Writing by Dr. Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II (H.C.), National Training of Trainers 2015 Page 9
 Copyright, Proper Attribution and Plagiarism: If a picture is sourced from something (or
someone), write down his name or organization.

References:
 Jimbo Owen Gulle, former Sports Editor, the Manila Times
 Dennis Eroa, Editor, Inquirer Libre
 Quinito Henson, sports columnist, The Philippine Star
 Ninoy Sofranes, Peoples’ Journal
 Old issues of The Electron and Banyuhay (A.Y. 1994-2008)
 The IMSHS Progress 2013
 Washington Post 2005
 http://www.nytimes.com
 http://www.philstar.com
 http://www.inquirer.net
 www.maniltimes.net
 www.mb.com.ph
 http://digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=18422&page=5
 http://insidesports.ph/volleyball/2009-shakeys-v-league-season-6-1st-conference/
 http://www.goarchers.com/610/lady-spikers-train-sights-on-v-league/
 http://spikeithard.com/2011/05/17/ateneo-wins-shakeys-vleague/
 http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/athletics/n214575893.shtml
 http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/345134/cavendish-takes-win-number-two-in-
california.html
 http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/Ew0OeStYukY/Olympic+Test+Event+2008+Water+Polo+Chin
a+Open/WLLgkk9Oh01/Natalie+Golda
 http://www.sportsbully.com/2011/05/dwight-howard-he-wants-to-stay-in-orlando-hes-not-
trying-to-run-behind-anyone-like-shaq/
 Rebound Rules: The Art of Success by Rick Pitino, (2008) HarperCollins
 Chicken Soup for the Sports Fans’ Soul (2007)
 The Karate Kid (2010)
 The Mighty Ducks, Disney (1994)
 Ben Hur, MGM (1964)
 Real Steel, Relative Media (2011)
 https://www.facebook.com/6thASEANSchoolsGames/photos_stream?ref=page_internal

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