It’s the worst-case scenario for any play-by-play announcer: the game you’re calling turns into a total blowout. The score is lopsided, the excitement is gone, and your job as a broadcaster is suddenly much more challenging. How do you keep your listeners engaged when it feels like the game has already been decided? The key lies in storytelling, maintaining energy, and looking ahead.
The Power of Storytelling
When the game is no longer competitive, the play-by-play becomes less about describing the action and more about filling the airtime with something that keeps your audience hooked. That’s where storytelling comes in. Whether you’re diving into the backstory of a player, discussing the journey of the team this season, or bringing up some interesting trivia, weaving narratives into your broadcast can help keep listeners engaged, even when the scoreline isn’t.
Take a moment to talk about something the fans can connect with. Share a funny behind-the-scenes story or reflect on a particularly memorable moment from earlier in the season. The power of storytelling in sports broadcasting is often underestimated, but it’s a crucial skill that can elevate your broadcasts and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Instead of just reporting plays, become a storyteller who paints a vivid picture of the game and its characters.
Keep the Energy Up During a Blowout—But Don’t Fake It
One of the biggest challenges when calling a blowout is maintaining an energetic, upbeat tone without sounding disingenuous. Fans can tell when you’re forcing excitement, and that can be just as off-putting as sounding too monotone. The trick is to find a balance between staying lively and keeping it real.
You don’t need to fake excitement, but you can stay engaged with the game. Highlight the moments that still have value—even if they’re just small victories. Maybe it’s a great defensive play, a personal milestone for a player, or the team’s resilience in the face of a lopsided score. Highlight the effort, even if the outcome is clear.
It’s not about hyping up every single play but about keeping the energy alive by acknowledging moments that are meaningful in the context of the season, the player’s development, or the team’s progress. Your job is to keep the broadcast interesting, even if the game itself isn’t living up to expectations.
Looking Ahead: The Bigger Picture
As the game drags on, or the score widens, it’s time to shift focus from the current moment to the bigger picture. What impact does this game have on the team’s season? How does this blowout affect their next matchup or playoff hopes? Talking about upcoming games, season standings, or potential matchups adds another layer of engagement for your audience.
For example, if a team is dominating and pulling away in the second half, you could bring up how this blowout could give the coach an opportunity to test out new players or experiment with strategies. Maybe the dominant team has a huge rivalry game coming up. Discuss how today’s performance will set the tone or give them momentum going into that match.
Bringing in this context will not only keep listeners engaged, but it will also encourage them to think ahead and tune in for future games. You’re providing something to look forward to, and that’s key when a game feels like it’s already over.
Keep Things Fun and Light-Hearted
Sometimes, even in a blowout, a bit of humour goes a long way. Light-hearted banter or playful commentary can break up the tension when the game is no longer competitive. Whether it’s commenting on the quirky traditions of fans, making a joke about an unusual in-game occurrence, or sharing fun facts about the players, bringing a little levity to your broadcast can keep the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable.
Humour can also help maintain a connection with listeners. People enjoy being entertained, so if you can bring a smile to their face while they listen, you’re doing your job well.
The Impact of a Blowout on the Season
While blowouts can be tough to call, they do offer the opportunity to analyze the bigger picture. How does this win or loss impact the team’s trajectory? If a team is dominating, are they likely to maintain that momentum? If they’re struggling, what are the adjustments they’ll need to make for upcoming games? This provides substance for your commentary and helps guide the audience’s thinking.
In particular, if you’re calling a college game or a semi-professional league, the stakes often feel higher because each match has broader implications. Discussing how today’s outcome might affect recruiting, playoff spots, or future rivalries can give listeners something to focus on, even when the game itself is a blowout.
Tips for Engaging Commentary During a Blowout
- Know the Players: Dive into player backgrounds. Fans connect with individuals, so share stories about their achievements, challenges, or future potential.
- Talk About the Fans: Mention fan reactions or how a crowd might be responding to a dominant performance. It’s important to involve the atmosphere of the game.
- Focus on Fundamentals: Even when the score isn’t close, praise good plays, smart decisions, and strong fundamentals. These moments matter and keep the broadcast engaging.
- Look to the Future: Always make sure to mention upcoming games and how the current performance might influence them. This keeps fans invested in the long-term story of the season.
Final Reflection: Keeping It Real When the Scoreboard Says Otherwise
Blowout games will happen. There’s no way around it. But as a broadcaster, your job is to bring that game to life, no matter the score. In those moments, shift your focus to the narratives that matter—whether that’s telling player stories, analyzing the impact on the season, or just keeping the energy up with a well-placed joke. Remember, the heart of sports broadcasting is the connection you create with your audience, and there’s always a way to do that, even when the scoreboard isn’t in your favour.
Key Takeaways:
- Engage with stories: Fill airtime with player narratives and fun facts.
- Keep the energy balanced: Stay upbeat but genuine in your tone.
- Shift the focus to the bigger picture: How does today’s game impact the future?
- Use humour: Lighten the mood without detracting from the game’s integrity.
Are you ready to take on the next blowout with confidence? Or do you still struggle to find your rhythm during lopsided games?