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.