Every broadcaster has been there. The game isn’t going the way you planned, your mind blanks during a key play, or your voice cracks in the middle of an exciting moment. We’ve all had a bad broadcast. Maybe you miscalled a play, forgot to mention an important stat, or got distracted by the chaos happening on the sidelines. Whatever it is, you can’t let it define you. So, how do you recover from a bad broadcast and improve for next time? It’s all about having a short memory, just like a player who shakes off a bad game.
Don’t Dwell on the Mistakes
The first thing to remember is that every broadcaster has a bad game, whether it’s an amateur or a seasoned professional. The trick is to not let it linger. If you let a bad performance affect you, it’ll carry over into your next broadcast. Athletes talk about having a “short memory” after a bad play or loss. Broadcasters need to adopt the same mentality. Yes, you can be disappointed, but don’t let that disappointment control you.
Here’s a personal anecdote: I once called an entire basketball game without mentioning the leading scorer—something I only realised during the post-game review. Trust me, that was embarrassing. But instead of wallowing in it, I took a moment to shake it off, analysed what went wrong, and promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen again. The key takeaway? Don’t let one mistake define you. Every broadcast is a new opportunity.
Review the Broadcast: What Made it a Bad Broadcast?
After the broadcast, take some time to review. This isn’t about self-criticism, but about finding constructive ways to improve. Listen to the broadcast with a critical ear—what went well? What didn’t? Maybe it was a technical issue, like bad microphone feedback, or maybe it was your pacing that felt off. Identify the specific moments that didn’t meet your standards.
Look at the tone of your delivery. Did you sound confident, or was there hesitation in your voice? Were you too fast in delivering information, or did you take too long between points? Constructive self-reflection is about analyzing your performance objectively—not beating yourself up. Treat each mistake as a learning opportunity, not a failure.
One pro tip: Try recording your broadcasts, if possible. This gives you a chance to listen back and note any areas where you stumbled. You might not notice things in the heat of the moment, but when you hear it again, you can pinpoint areas for improvement.
Implement Changes for Next Time
Once you’ve reviewed your broadcast and identified areas for improvement, the next step is to make changes for your next game. If your pacing was off, practice speaking at a more measured tempo. If you were too focused on the action and missed key details, remind yourself to slow down and take in the full picture of the game.
A common mistake for newcomers in play-by-play announcing is over-explaining. The action in a game speaks for itself. Focus on guiding your audience through the key moments without overcrowding the broadcast with unnecessary details. If you missed key moments in the game (like mentioning player statistics or pivotal plays), work on being more mindful of keeping track of these details in future broadcasts.
Another area to focus on is your prep work. Did you feel under-prepared or distracted during the broadcast? Perhaps you could benefit from organizing your notes or stats ahead of time. The more prepared you are, the less likely you’ll miss critical moments or fall into the trap of filler words when you’re not sure what to say next.
Celebrate Small Wins Even During Bad Broadcast
One of the most important things to do after a bad broadcast is to celebrate your wins—no matter how small they may seem. Maybe you nailed a call, or you handled a technical hiccup smoothly. Focus on the moments where you did succeed. Broadcasting can be stressful, and sometimes, it’s easy to overlook the small victories when you’re obsessing over mistakes.
This positive reinforcement helps build confidence and serves as a reminder that you’re improving. Even in the midst of a less-than-perfect broadcast, there are always highlights you can take pride in.
Learn from Others
Sometimes, it’s helpful to seek advice or feedback from others. Find a mentor, whether it’s a colleague or someone you admire in the industry. Listen to their critiques and apply their insights to your own performance. In sports broadcasting, there’s always something to learn from your peers. Even established professionals like Jim Nantz or Kate Scott have moments where they slip up, and they know how to bounce back and improve for next time.
Moving Forward: Don’t Let One Bad Broadcast Hold You Back
At the end of the day, the goal is to keep moving forward. Just like athletes, broadcasters need to let go of a bad performance and focus on the next opportunity. Every game is a new chance to prove yourself and continue growing in your craft. Don’t let a misstep define you—use it as fuel to become even better.
Key Takeaways:
- Have a short memory: Don’t dwell on mistakes. Move on and focus on your next game.
- Review your broadcast: Constructively critique yourself to identify what needs improvement.
- Make changes for next time: Apply what you’ve learned and work on your weaknesses.
- Celebrate the small wins: Recognize your successes, no matter how minor they may seem.
- Seek feedback: Learn from others in the industry to help you improve.
Reflection Time:
Are you letting one bad broadcast define you? Or are you using it as an opportunity to grow and improve? Every broadcaster has their off days—but it’s how you bounce back that separates the good from the great. Remember, the next game is just around the corner, and with each opportunity, you’ll get better and more confident.
