HOCKEY PLAY-BY-PLAY

  Photo copyright Boston Bruins

Hockey is the fastest game on earth. Unlike baseball, you have very little time in between to talk. Because of the constant flow, you need to have sharp observation. Again, the first rule of thumb is to FOLLOW THE PUCK. Who has the puck and what is being done with it? Describe the shots. Slap shot? Screen shot? Backhander? Wrist shot? Does the defenseman dive to block the shot? Does the goaltender come out of his crease to challenge the shooter? Is there clutching and grabbing going on? Essentials for hockey include score, time remaining, penalty time remaining, and shots on goal. Describe plays that develop. Is it a 3-on-2? 2-on-1? (These are known as odd-man rushes). Is the defense playing a trapping style? Attention to details is very important.

You will notice that the consistent theme is to give the score often in any sport. At any moment in time, someone could be tuning in and does not know the score. Many announcers use an egg timer to prompt them to update the score. As previously stated, it's better to give the score too much rather than too little.