The 10 Minute Preparation I Do Before I Broadcast A Game
One of the most common questions I get is, “How do you know/remember so much detail live when you’re videoing the games?” Here’s exactly what I do before I setup the camera, video and announce the game:
10 Minute Breakdown -
- Minute 1-2 (Confirm Jersey Numbers). As the season goes on, I get familiar with our team’s numbers and names. The brain is quite powerful at remembering repetition so after a few weeks, this comes naturally without trying. However, the beginning of the season requires a bit of study and better yet, a printout slid into my laminated sleeve, numerically ordered. Additionally, with youth sports, you aren’t watching the opposition on TV and so you’ve likely never seen or heard of any of the players lined up across from your home team. If you can get a roster, more power to you… but I typically can’t.
So here’s an insider secret - if possible, sit amongst the opposition’s fan base. If the sport is football, this will oftentimes allow you to see the back of the jerseys on the sideline matched with names printed on them. But even if they don’t have names in print, mom is likely a row below you and will be screaming her son’s name quite often. You’ll pick up on context clues and figure out the names of the primary ball carriers or tacklers.
- Minute 3-4 (Story lines). When calling a game, it helps to know who is playing what position before the game starts. That way, in the early part of the game, you can give some introductory remarks regarding positions. For instance, as the opening kickoff is resolving, I might mention “Backup QB Johnson anxiously awaits to step on the field for the first time today as he’ll be running the offense for only the second time all season.” This gives life and anticipation to something that hasn’t even happened yet. I couldn’t build that anticipation without knowing a bit of the backstory.
Take note of who has been improving and draw attention to that. Especially with young athletes, it’ll take a few games in to the season before they get comfortable. When it happens, it’s certainly noticeable and when you draw attention to it, it resonates with others who have been thinking the same thing. Take a few minutes in your preparation routine to think about these things and make at least some mental notes.
- Minute 5-8 (Gear Check). My setup is pretty minimal so it doesn’t take long to round everything up. I have an external mic I use that mounts on top of the cradle my iPhone sits in. The cradle lives on my tripod so those two things stay together. I make sure I have my mic cable and the adapter that plugs the cable into the iPhone. If I have any printouts, I make sure and grab those. Finally, it’s a good idea to bring along the portable charger and charging cable. Oh, and if it’s hot and outside (which is most every game from baseball in the spring to football in the fall, I need my umbrella that mounts on to the tripod and shields the sun from overheating my iPhone. I also have a plan for water. Even if it’s not hot, with a lot of talking comes the need to keep your mouth and throat moist. It’s best to bring a water bottle along.
- Minute 9-10 (Interviews). This sounds way more serious than it is. I’m intentional when we get to warmups to talk to the players, coaches, and parents. Something in small conversations with someone will lead to an interesting insight during the live action. I may be talking to a parent who lets me in on the fact that his son hasn’t been feeling well that morning. It may come to that particular kid carrying the ball for a first down or springing a big block and now I’m armed with the information to report that he’s making that kind of a difference despite feeling bad. That’s part of the storytelling that makes announcing so interesting.
Why This Matters -
When you’re prepared, you’re more present. When you’re more present, the game feels bigger to the kids and families watching. You’re not scrambling as much and therefore able to focus on the play at hand.
