Things you’d like to see in play-by-plays

[Minz]

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this, but as some of you might know, I will sometimes post play-by-plays for live events.

Over the past few years, it’s become a bit of a hobby for me to refine and edit the formatting to add as much information in as possible without being overwhelming. I’ve set up a whole spreadsheet system to make the process as efficient and easy as possible.

That being said, is there anything specific that you guys would like to see? (Or something you don’t want to see?) I’m hoping to plan something special for the Olympics.

So far, here are some of the things I like to include.

• A header with event info (logo, event name, dates, location)
• Start number, skater name, country
• Age, coaches
• Program music, choreographer, ISU SB for that specific segment
• All elements completed (I usually do indications for falls, step-outs, and other visible mistakes - I can’t always do URs since I like to be consistent and I can’t always spot everything, although when commentators are nice enough to point out what the tech panel called I’ll include that)
• TES, PCS, deductions (if any), and TSS numbers
• I try to put an SB/PB/WR maker if I remember lol
• Sometimes I’ll throw in a comment if something happens that can’t be explained by the above, or if I feel like it lol.

With all that, am I missing something? Anything else you’d like to see?

 

[NanaPat]

Could you give a sample (include or link) so we can see what one looks like?
I read (and remember) the elements completed (with notes), score and placement, but don't recall some of the other information.

If it's in an event thread, do you give (or need to give) the header with the event info on every post?

 

[Minz]

​

#11

Alysa Liu | UNITED STATES

Age: 20 | ISU SB: 137.46
Coaches: Phillip DiGuglielmo, Massimo Scali
Music: MacArthur Park Suite by Donna Summer; choreo by Massimo Scali

---

1. 3 Flip
2. 3 Lutz + 3 Toe (UR)
3. 3 Salchow
4. Change Combo Spin 4
5. 3 Loop
6. Flying Camel Spin 4
7. 3 Lutz + 2 Axel + 2 Toe + SEQ
8. 3 Flip + 2 Toe
9. 2 Axel (UR)
10. Step Sequence 4
11. Choreo Sequence
12. Layback Spin 4

TES: 71.22
PCS: 59.32
Deductions: 0.00

Total Segment Score: 140.54

---

SP: 73.73
FS: 140.54

Total Event Score: 214.27

 

[Minz]

Could you give a sample (include or link) so we can see what one looks like?
I read (and remember) the elements completed (with notes), score and placement, but don't recall some of the other information.

If it's in an event thread, do you give (or need to give) the header with the event info on every post?

I’ve put one up above. Usually I do put the event header on every post just so it’s consistent and so it looks nice but I suppose it’s not completely necessary.

The header is one that I’ve been tweaking a bit recently while I try to figure out the best looking layout/version. I’ll probably experiment with a few during US Nationals and possibly Euros/4CC (if I end up doing those events) before the Olympics.

 

[NanaPat]

I’ve put one up above. Usually I do put the event header on every post just so it’s consistent and so it looks nice but I suppose it’s not completely necessary.

The header is one that I’ve been tweaking a bit recently while I try to figure out the best looking layout/version. I’ll probably experiment with a few during US Nationals and possibly Euros/4CC (if I end up doing those events) before the Olympics.

The header looks good. I was thinking of the logos that GS puts in the first post for event threads. It is so large that it is sometimes the only thing you see when you hover over the thread to see the first post. I am looking for the event dates, not a giant logo! Yours is informative and doesn't overwhelm the "meat" of the post.

The whole entry looks excellent. The only thing I would think of adding is the position (for example, in 3rd place with 4 skaters to go; I know this doesn't match your sample!!!!).

 

[Minz]

CONCATENATE(
  "[TABLE width=\"101%\"][TR][th][B][IMG height=\"23px\"]", {Header}, "[/IMG][/B][/th][/TR][/TABLE]\n",
  "[B][SIZE=5][COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 0)]#", {SP#}, "[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]\n\n",
  "[B]", {Skater}, " |[SIZE=4][COLOR=rgb(88, 90, 90)] ", UPPER({Country Name} & ""), "[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=3]", {🏴}, "[/SIZE]\n\n",
  "[SIZE=4]Age:[/SIZE][/B][SIZE=4][COLOR=rgb(49, 50, 52)] ", {Age}, " [/COLOR][B]| ISU SB: [/B]", {SP SB}, "\n",
  "[B]Coaches:[/B][COLOR=rgb(49, 50, 52)] ", {Coaches}, "[/COLOR]\n",
  "[B]Music:[/B][COLOR=rgb(49, 50, 52)] ", {SP Music}, "[B];[/B] choreo by ", {SP Choreographer}, " [/COLOR][/SIZE]\n",
  "[HR][/HR]\n",
  "[LIST=1]\n[*]x\n[/LIST]\n",
  "[COLOR=rgb(41, 105, 176)]TES:[/COLOR][B] x[/B]\n",
  "[COLOR=rgb(41, 105, 176)]PCS:[/COLOR][B] x[/B]\n",
  "[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]Deductions:[/COLOR][B] 0.00[/B]\n\n",
  "[COLOR=rgb(19, 60, 109)][B]Total Segment Score:[/B][/COLOR][B] x[/B]"
)

 

[Minz]

@NanaPat that’s something I’ve definitely been considering adding. The biggest challenge for me with stuff like that is updating it all on the fly, since the more I have to do in the moment, the more difficult it is, plus I tend to forget stuff and then it becomes inconsistent. For example, I try to add SB whenever a skater scores a season’s best, but I’ll often forget and only remember mid-event. The problem is that if I start adding them then, I have to go back and change the rest of them so they match up, (otherwise the information is inaccurate) and that’s a bit annoying to do especially mid-event.

The rest of it is actually all done via a spreadsheet system that I’ve set up. Right now, it’s set up so I can just select the skater who is competing, and it’ll fill in a bunch of fields automatically. Then I’ve got the formula above which spits out the customized template like this:

[TABLE width="101%"][TR][th][B][IMG height="23px"]https://i.postimg.cc/0NwPxH2z/skate-america-header-new.png[/IMG][/B][/th][/TR][/TABLE]

[B][SIZE=5][COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 0)]#11[/COLOR][/SIZE]

Alysa Liu |[SIZE=4][COLOR=rgb(88, 90, 90)] UNITED STATES[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=3]🇺🇸[/SIZE]

[SIZE=4]Age:[/SIZE][/B][SIZE=4][COLOR=rgb(49, 50, 52)] 20 [/COLOR][B]| ISU SB: [/B]137.46
[B]Coaches:[/B][COLOR=rgb(49, 50, 52)] Phillip DiGuglielmo, Massimo Scali[/COLOR]
[B]Music:[/B][COLOR=rgb(49, 50, 52)] MacArthur Park Suite by Donna Summer[B];[/B] choreo by Massimo Scali [/COLOR][/SIZE]
[HR][/HR]
[LIST=1]
[*]x
[/LIST]
[COLOR=rgb(41, 105, 176)]TES:[/COLOR][B] x[/B]
[COLOR=rgb(41, 105, 176)]PCS:[/COLOR][B] x[/B]
[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]Deductions:[/COLOR][B] 0.00[/B]

[COLOR=rgb(19, 60, 109)][B]Total Segment Score:[/B][/COLOR][B] x[/B][HR][/HR]
[COLOR=rgb(30, 91, 164)][B]SP:[/B][/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 0)][B] 73.73[/B][/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(30, 91, 164)][B]FS:[/B][/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 0)][B] X[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgb(89, 176, 108)][B][SIZE=16px]Total Event Score:[/SIZE][/B][/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 0)][B][SIZE=16px] X[/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]

Once I put that into to forum, I’ll get this template that I can edit during the event. This is the template I started with for the sample I posted earlier of Alysa Liu’s FS at Skate America this year:

#11

Alysa Liu | UNITED STATES

Age: 20 | ISU SB: 137.46
Coaches: Phillip DiGuglielmo, Massimo Scali
Music: MacArthur Park Suite by Donna Summer; choreo by Massimo Scali

---

1. x

TES: x
PCS: x
Deductions: 0.00

Total Segment Score: x

---

SP: 73.73
FS: X

Total Event Score: X

 

[NanaPat]

Usually people do mention the "current standing" of the skater, so it's not really needed in the play-by-play. I find it very significant when watching live (or watching the stream while following the comments when I have had the fortitude to not look at the final results). But it is very temporary, and not all that easy to figure out from the final results, which are the ones that count!

They don't always mention the number of skaters remaining, though they will when it is especially significant. Example: the skater is in first with two skaters to go, so is guaranteed a medal. Or (at Worlds) the skater is in second with 8 skaters to go, so will finish 10th or better, well enough to earn two spots in next year's Worlds.

 

[ManyCairns]

Your play-by-plays are wonderful already and very much appreciated! I like the format in the above example.