Hockey team and individual photos

[Rookieinsask]

I have been asked to take some team and individual photos for a pee wee hockey team. I am just a friend of the manager and have never taked this type of picture. I am just a rookie starting out and have tried a few times with group shots and end up with blur and out of focus. Can anyone give me an easy approach to this? I am nervous and just need any ideas.
Thanks.

[Dunner]

I did the team photo for my son's team last year and it turned out pretty well, considering that I don't have any lighting. Get some help from your friend to get the players arranged in order. Usually you'll want the coaches and captains in the front row. Get a look at some team pics and you'll see the format. Make sure you use a tripod. Shoot in raw format so you can adjust a bit more than for a JPG file. Your Sigma 17-70 should be good enough for this. Usually the lights near centre ice will be a little brighter than in the corners.

For the individual pictures you have to decide whether you want an action picture (such as a skate and stop) or a still photo. If you're unsure, do the still photo. Again, enlist your friend to make sure all players are arranged to come in for the individual pictures. When I did our team's pictures last year I hung the player's home jersey behind them and had them wear their away jersey for the picture. Again, your 17-70 lens should be good for this. And like before, I'd shoot in raw format.

Good luck. You should post some of your results when done.