A sports commentator helps listeners understand action they may not be able to see. Excitement matters, but it works best when the listener also knows who is involved, where the action is happening and what has changed. Begin with a short practice exercise rather than attempting a complete match.
Build a reliable information sheet
Prepare the teams or participants, the competition and the relevant rules you need to explain. Check pronunciations before recording. Leave space to record important changes rather than trusting memory throughout a fast sequence.
Use a fictional practice scenario, your own permitted recording or another activity you are authorised to work with. Label practice material clearly. Do not present an old recording as a live event or imply that you are providing official station commentary.
Describe the action in a useful order
Give the listener enough context before adding analysis. Identify the participant, explain the action and state the outcome. When you have not seen something clearly, acknowledge uncertainty instead of turning a guess into a confident call.
Practise occasional score and time reminders appropriate to the sport. A person who has just joined should be able to understand the state of play without waiting until the end.
Review clarity as well as energy
Listen back without watching the action. Can you tell which side has possession or who is making the attempt? Did an excited reaction hide the outcome? Are names clear, or do they disappear when you speak faster?
Choose one improvement for the next attempt. Leave room for a co-commentator where the format allows it, and practise handing over with a clear question rather than talking over each other.
Our radio presenting exercises can help with timing. For a written or interview-led sports piece, see telling a community sports story and use the station contact page for proposals.