Performing Arts Skills

Useful Checklists And Templates For Sports Commentating




These simple tools cover pre-game preparation, in-game commentary, post-game wrap-ups, and key moments during a broadcast. These resources will help you stay organized, deliver engaging commentary, and ensure professionalism throughout your performance.


1. Sports Commentating Checklists

A. Pre-Game Preparation Checklist

Before the game, thorough preparation is crucial for providing insightful and dynamic commentary.

Research the Teams:
- Team records, standings, recent performance, and form.
- Head-to-head history (e.g., last 5 matchups).
- Key storylines (e.g., rivalries, milestones).

Know the Players:
- Star players and their stats (e.g., goals, assists, points, runs).
- Injuries or substitutions.
- Up-and-coming players or players to watch.

Understand the Venue and Context:
- Stadium specifics (e.g., crowd capacity, conditions).
- Weather (if applicable).
- Importance of the game (e.g., playoffs, championship, regular season).

Prepare Talking Points:
- Anecdotes, fun facts, and stats to use during slower moments.
- Historical context or milestones (e.g., a player nearing a record).

Coordinate with Production Team:
- Confirm your role (play-by-play vs. color commentary).
- Review the broadcast schedule (ad breaks, analysis segments).


B. In-Game Commentary Checklist

While live, your focus should be on delivering engaging, accurate, and fluid commentary.

Play-by-Play Delivery:
- Identify players and describe actions accurately.
- Use dynamic language to keep the audience engaged.
- Vary tone and pace to match the intensity of the game.

Color Commentary:
- Provide in-depth analysis (e.g., why a play succeeded or failed).
- Add context (e.g., a player’s past performance, team strategy).
- Use downtime to tell relevant stories or share stats.

Monitor Game Context:
- Keep the audience updated on time, score, and key moments.
- Anticipate critical plays (e.g., free kicks, power plays, final minutes).

Engage with Co-Commentator:
- Avoid talking over your partner; alternate smoothly.
- Respond to their insights to create a conversational flow.


C. Post-Game Review Checklist

After the game, recap the key moments and assess your performance to improve for future broadcasts.

Game Wrap-Up:
- Highlight the final score and pivotal plays.
- Identify the player of the game and their impact.
- Reflect on the game’s significance (e.g., impact on standings, records broken).

Review Your Commentary:
- Listen to or watch a recording to analyze your tone, pacing, and vocabulary.
- Identify moments where you missed key details or overused certain phrases.

Gather Feedback:
- Ask your co-commentator, producer, or peers for constructive criticism.
- Focus on areas like transitions, accuracy, and audience engagement.


2. Sports Commentating Templates

A. Pre-Game Research Template

Use this template to organize your research before the game.

| Category | Details to Research | Example |
|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Teams | Records, standings, form | "Team A: 10-2, 3-game win streak" |
| Key Players | Top performers and stats | "Smith: 25 PPG, shooting 45% from 3"|
| Head-to-Head | Last 5 matchups | "Team A leads 3–2" |
| Venue Info | Conditions, history | "Snow expected, historic stadium" |
| Game Importance | Playoff implications, rivalries | "Winner secures 1st playoff seed" |


B. In-Game Commentary Template

Structure your live commentary using this framework.

| Moment | Play-by-Play | Color Commentary |
|-----------------------|------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Scoring Play | "Jones drives to the basket… and scores!" | "That’s his 20th point tonight, leading the team." |
| Key Defensive Play| "Smith intercepts the pass—what a steal!" | "He read that play perfectly, showing why he’s top 5 in steals this season." |
| Transition Play | "Fast break for Team A… Davis with the dunk!" | "Great teamwork there—textbook fast break execution." |


C. Game Wrap-Up Template

Use this template to close out the broadcast with clarity and energy.

| Category | Example Line |
|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Final Score | "Team A wins 3–1, clinching their spot in the playoffs." |
| Key Moments | "The turning point was Johnson’s late goal in the 85th minute." |
| Player of the Game | "Player of the match: Johnson, with a hat-trick and 5 key passes." |
| Closing Note | "That’s all from us tonight—thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time!" |


D. Vocabulary and Phrase Template

Organize sport-specific terms and phrases for quick reference.

| Category | Examples |
|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| Actions | Passes: "Threads," "delivers," "swings." |
| Player Movements | "Charges forward," "cuts inside," "slides." |
| Game Context | "In the red zone," "on a power play." |
| Emotion Words | "Unbelievable!" "Clutch!" "Incredible effort!"|


E. Feedback and Self-Review Template

Track areas of strength and improvement after each broadcast.

| Aspect | What Went Well | Areas for Improvement |
|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Play-by-Play | Clear descriptions of key moments | Pace was a bit too fast at times. |
| Color Commentary | Great use of stats and anecdotes | Need to avoid repeating phrases. |
| Tone and Energy | Matched intensity during key plays | Balance excitement with composure. |


3. Sports Commentating Key Metrics

Track these metrics to assess your performance and identify growth opportunities.

| Metric | How to Measure | Target |
|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| Speaking Speed | Record and check words per minute during play calls. | 150–180 WPM for clarity. |
| Player/Team Accuracy | Count errors in player names or stats. | 95%+ accuracy. |
| Energy Consistency | Review tone and intensity across game phases. | Match tone to game intensity. |
| Vocabulary Variety | Track repeated words or phrases in your calls. | Limit repetition; aim for variety. |


4. Tools for Sports Commentating

A. Pre-Game Research Tools

  • ESPN Stats and Info: Player/team stats and trends.
  • Team Websites: Official rosters, injury updates, and news.
  • SofaScore/FlashScore: Live updates and pre-game analysis.

B. Commentary Practice Tools

  • YouTube/Streaming Services: Practice commentary over muted game replays.
  • Audacity/OBS Studio: Record and review your commentary sessions.

C. Vocabulary Resources

  • Thesaurus.com: Expand your action and reaction vocabulary.
  • Game-Specific Glossaries: Look up terms unique to the sport you’re covering.

If you liked this, consider supporting us by checking out Tiny Skills - 250+ Top Work & Personal Skills Made Easy