How to Commentate a Live Sports Game.

By Sonny Hammoud

This is a step-by-step guide on how to perform as a commentator for a live sports game. Commentary for a live sports game is very important to give an insight into the action being presented to the audience watching on television and potential listeners on the radio who are not at the game.

Perhaps the most important step is to always remember the rules of the game you are commentating. What a touchdown means, what a field goal means, how much time is in a quarter of play, how long is the shot clock, what are the different penalties that referee will call for. This is important for insight as some of the audience might not know the rules and it would be very helpful to explain to them what is going on when a big play happens or when the referee throws the yellow flag onto the play. If you do not know the rules, how should the audience know?

When commentating, it is very crucial to remember the players of the game that you are watching. This might be tough depending on the angle that you are watching and being able to see numbers on the back of the jerseys, but commentators always have a roster list from both teams on hand so that they can identify who has made a big play on the field.

Due to the nature of speaking a lot for the next 2 or 3 hours at a sports game, it is helpful to have a drink nearby so that your voice won't get dry and wear out on you as you try to both be informative and entertaining about the sports game that you are currently watching.

Even if you have a favorite team that you want to root for in the game you are commentating, it is wise to be fair and impartial regardless of whichever team is performing better. Sports are unpredictable and it would be a bad look to insult one of the teams playing as the audience might not appreciate the harshness of your commentary. This is especially true if some people of your audience support the team that you are refusing to give credit to. On top of this, that team would also be upset with your commentary as well if they decide to watch the broadcast again after the game is over.

This is important as you need to make sure you have a good angle to watch the game happening, and a comfortable chair to sit in as you will be in this spot for roughly 2 to 3 hours depending on how long the game will last. If your spot is uncomfortable, it will irritate you heavily as you try to perform your commentary.

This is especially important as even though the action of the game is what people tune into the broadcast for, your commentary can either enhance that entertainment or hinder it to the point that they will want to watch the game on mute. If you are not having fun and do not care about the game you are watching, why should anyone else watching you? It is easier for the audience to get into something if they can clearly hear that you are having a great time.