Lead Types Found in Sports Stories

Lead types found in sports stories

Delayed Lead The delayed lead withholds identification of the person, group, place, or event that is central to the story. Identification is usually delayed for only a few paragraphs.

Example: The way Michigan safety Jamar Adams sees it, only one thing could keep tailback Mike Hart from playing Saturday against Illinois—a natural disaster. "It would take a hurricane from the south to keep him off the field," Adams said. "Mike Hart, he's a tremendous competitor. He's a guy who wants it more than anyone else." Hart sprained his right ankle late in the second quarter in Saturday's victory over Purdue. By then he had already rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, setting a school record with his seventh straight 100-yard game.

Direct Address Lead The direct address lead, which usually uses or implies the second person, “you,” is designed to involve the reader in the story without introducing the writer.

Example: Just when you thought there was nothing that could save the beleaguered Iowa football team, the living legend that is Ron Zook performs his own version of CPR.

The “Big Play” Lead The lead’s name is what it sounds like: It incorporates a big play of the game into the lead of the story. The big play could come late in the game or could be what turns around the game for a particular team (game-winning basket, goal, touchdown).

Example: Ryan Bean’s 18-yard field goal sailed through the goal posts in the final minute of the game, giving the Sailors a 16-14 victory over the Giants on Saturday.

Sports Summary Lead This is just like the summary lead with the 5Ws but with more attractive verbs and adjectives.

Example: After seeing a six-game unbeaten streak end with a disappointing loss, the Houston Dynamo snatched a 1-0 victory in the race to the Western Conference title Monday night when they visited hapless Real Salt Lake.