Sportscasting Prep | Football, Basketball, Baseball and Volleyball

First blog post in a while, but I feel like this as good of a time as any to write about broadcasting prep and what methods/materials I use for different sports. I've had a lot of broadcasters, especially young broadcasters, inquire about prep materials and what I use while broadcasting a game. What I use might not work for everybody and I advise everyone to tweak whatever they want to make it fit their needs. Everyone does it different. To me, the most important part is knowing where everything is on my spotting board/notes and having easy access to any storylines/stats/roster info that I need during the course of the game.

See below for a breakdown of how I prepare for each sport. I would be more than happy to share my spotting board template for each sport with any broadcaster that is interested. Feel free to email me at youngpbp@gmail.com and visit my personal website, www.AdamYoungOnTheAir.com.

Enjoy!

Football | This is my first year doing Football on TV so I'm still making some adjustments as I go but the spotting board (printed off on card stock paper and taped down on thick poster board) is the most important part of Football preparation. I also have an 'info sheet' document with me, a note card full of storylines for both teams that I can hit on coming in and out of breaks and a 'drive chart' that I update as the game goes on.

On the info sheet, I have a team stats section, info on the coaches, last game/next game info, more storylines, notes on the stadium and more.  

On the spotting board and info sheet, I use a handful of highlighters to differentiate what the stat/note means. For example, if it's highlighted in green it means last season. For orange, it's a team leading, conference leading, or among the national leaders stat. When I use the purple highlighter I'm highlighting past school info. So purple is used only for transfers. Blue is for trends. For example, stats that mention what the player did last game or what they have done in their last three games, four games, etc. Yellow highlighter is for storylines on my board that I can refer to. This method works for me and helps me access what I need immediately. 

Also, on the spotting board, I quiz myself countless times leading up to the game on the players. I make sure I can recall who number 7 is on Arkansas State without looking down at my spotting board. Especially with Football, there are so many moving parts and action happens so quickly, it's hard to look down and find who the player is quick enough to deliver timely info to the viewer. If you're doing it right, you are calling the action without even looking down at your board to search for a number/name. It's ok to search for info in-between plays and when there is a break in the action, but it's never good when you see number 3 is the running back and you're having to scramble for his name as the ball is being snapped.

Basketball | This is the sport I have the most experience in and I've used the same spotting board and prep routine the last couple of years. I have a one page board printed on thick card stock color coded with all the information I need for the broadcast. I also have an 'Info Sheet' document with me just like Football and a note card full of storylines for both teams that I can hit on coming in and out of breaks. 

Just like Football, I use the highlighter method and the same memorization process leading up to the game. When I go into a game, I can tell you who number 23 is without looking down at my board. Just like Football, things happen so quick you don't have time to scramble for info. The board is there for stoppage in play when you have time to look at it and grab info. See the picture to the right for an example of my board and info sheet.

Baseball | This sport is very different from the previous two. No spotting board is needed. Instead, the scorebook is your best friend. I still use the highlighters and a note card with storylines. 

The Bob Carpenter scorebook is an outstanding scorebook that I highly recommend. I've been using the same guy back home to make my scorebook since I got started in the business. I make some minor adjustments each year on how the book is made and he takes care of it for me. As you can see in the picture, all the info I need is readily available. 

In game, I highlight strikeouts with orange and walks with green so I can easily count the number of strikeouts and walks for a particular pitcher when I need that info. I also use a yellow highlighter to divide pitching changes. As you can see in the picture, I load my scorebook with info leading up to the game, especially in the starting pitcher column. I've used the same method going back to my pro baseball days. My advice - find the system that works for you and continue to tweak it. 

Volleyballl | Volleyball is such a fast faced sport so memorizing names/numbers on your board before a match is crucial. It's impossible to call this sport effectively and efficiently if you don't do this. I use the same spotting board format as I use for Basketball, but of course I have different info. I've used the same spotting board and prep routine the last couple of years. I have a one page board printed on thick card stock color coded with all the information I need for the broadcast. I also have an 'Info Sheet' document with me just like Football and Basketball and a note card full of storylines for both teams that I can hit on coming in and out of breaks. Just like Football and Basketball, I use the highlighter method and the same memorization process leading up to the game. When I go into a game, I can tell you who number 10 is without looking down at my board.


For easy access to setter/libero info, I highlight the liberos number in green and the setters' numbers in orange. 

Play-by-Play Thesaurus Sheets | I also have terminology sheets that I use for each sport. I carry these with me wherever I go and also make a point to look over them at least twice before I go on the air. These are used to make sure I'm not repeating the same words over and over. You can describe the same play many different ways and this helps keep the broadcast fresh.

I'd be more than happy to email the play-by-play thesaurus sheet I have for Football, Basketball, Baseball and Volleyball to anyone who is interested. Feel free to reach out at youngpbp@gmail.com. 

Hope you enjoyed the post. Take care!


                          -Adam Young