Crafting a Compelling Competition Narrative: Tips and Techniques

The competition narrative depicts organised, rule-bound contests between individuals or teams. It explores themes such as causality, consequences, the drive to overcome obstacles and achieve goals, societal prejudices, and the tension between individuals and the group. The genre also explores controversial topics such as the rise and fall of public heroes, conflicts between competition and other desires or duties, the temptation of fame, and corruption. To appeal to a wide audience, these stories often intersect with other genres, using dramatic narratives to effectively convey their message. The audience is encouraged, through the narrative, to invest in the individual’s or team’s journey and relate to their struggles.

Themes Explored

These stories feature key elements such as the picking of players, fitting of costumes or uniforms, training montages, injury or dispatching of the weak, playoffs, progress up the league ladder, betrayal by allies, desperation to succeed, last-minute substitution, and success or failure in achieving the ultimate goal. The physical and mental struggles of the characters are closely intertwined. Cowardice and bravery play central roles in the competition narrative as a whole, beyond the mechanics of the game it features.

The Mentor Figure

A defining feature of competition stories is the presence of a mentor figure, who guides a team of misfits and underdogs to victory. This mentor is typically a former champion or veteran of the competition, serving as a coach or a washed-up player facing their last chance to prove themselves. Their role extends beyond just providing technical training; they also offer invaluable life lessons and help the team develop essential skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and self-belief. As the mentor supports the team’s journey, they also experience personal growth and confront challenges in their relationships.

The Players

Competition stories typically revolve around a group of underdogs, each with their unique flaws, facing real opposition with no special consideration for their weaknesses. The protagonist typically starts in a shameful situation where they have experienced cowardice and lost their edge. To achieve victory, they and the team must take risks and learn to regain their bravery. The team’s ultimate goal is to gain self-esteem and recognition, with the protagonist’s journey serving as a focal point for the story. Alongside themes of rivalry and unresolved conflicts between characters, the narrative often includes a romantic aspect.

Transformation of Underdogs and Protagonists

The team’s transformation from losers to winners is achieved through hard work, determination, and the discovery of hidden talents. The mentor plays a crucial role in guiding the team, often bending the rules to gain an advantage but never crossing the line into cheating. The narrative builds up to a point where it seems impossible for the team to win, before the mentor leads them back to victory. While the league, team, or match structure serves as a backdrop for the characters’ journeys, the focus remains on their personal growth and development.

The Journey to Victory: Comeback Stories

Competition stories often revolve around the theme of a comeback, where a team or individual faces challenging odds and rises to victory. Their journey to success coincides with their growing belief in their strengths and capabilities, which can be bolstered by four key factors: self-confidence, determination, resilience, and strategic thinking.

Driving Forces Behind Comebacks

The key elements that drive a comeback include a history of success in similar situations, demonstrating the team’s or protagonist’s ability to perform under pressure and find the necessary strength and execution to achieve victory, the ability to adapt and outplay their opponents by countering their strengths and exploiting their weaknesses, a belief in the vulnerability of the opponents, as evidenced by previous mistakes and a tendency towards mental fatigue near the end of a competition, and a precedent for an underdog or rookie defeating the competition favourite, providing evidence that a comeback is possible.

Celebrating the Human Spirit in Competition

At their core, competition stories are about overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. While victory is often the ultimate goal, the story also emphasises the importance of teamwork and being a team player, highlighting the value of individual contributions to the success of the group. Competition stories also explore the idea that success can take many forms beyond just winning, and the journey towards victory can be as important as the outcome itself. Ultimately, competition stories are celebrations of the human spirit, demonstrating the power of determination, hard work, and perseverance to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.