Need Youth Soccer Photo Tips

Been shootting youth soccer for some time now, but stil trying to find those tips with shooting. I have a Canon 7D with a tele 7-200mm wit 1.4x Any advice is appreciated.

What sort of advice are you looking for? The standard ones I guess are:
-Clean backgrounds
-Shoot tight, crop tighter
-Track the subject before you make the picture to allow your Servo proper time to calculate
-No face or ball means no picture

Here are a few of my recent shots.

ajaffe wrote in post #13243711
What sort of advice are you looking for? The standard ones I guess are:
-Clean backgrounds
-Shoot tight, crop tighter
-Track the subject before you make the picture to allow your Servo proper time to calculate
-No face or ball means no picture

I agree. Anticipate the action. This is a little easier to do with the younger groups. Although, the younger groups like to herd a lot, so shots might be cluttered with players just standing there. Try getting some action.

Location is key. I try to shoot from the behind the end lines. This helps to minimize getting the sidelines in the shots. However, some referees won't allow you to shoot from there. If I shoot from the sidelines, I try to position myself at the ends. That way, I am there for close plays on goal, goal keeper shots and can work from mid-field on in. This is just my preference. Find a spot that works for you. Others may not like working the ends, I do. Hope this helps.

iidesu wrote in post #13243943
and don't forget the net!

Why? I think they can tell that they're playing soccer by the ball.

asysin2leads wrote in post #13244855
Others may not like working the ends, I do.

me too. In fact, I shoot more behind the ends than anywhere else on the pitch.

namasste wrote in post #13244905
me too. In fact, I shoot more behind the ends than anywhere else on the pitch.

Same here. It helps to get a nice, clean background. I've only been asked to move once, but the sideline referee was overruled by the head ref. It helps that he and I have known each other for 30 years. By the way (for those interested), when you shoot from the end lines, shoot the game and keep your mouth shut. Nothing will get the ref to move you faster than hollering about his missed call.

asysin2leads wrote in post #13245312
Same here. It helps to get a nice, clean background. I've only been asked to move once, but the sideline referee was overruled by the head ref. It helps that he and I have known each other for 30 years. By the way (for those interested), when you shoot from the end lines, shoot the game and keep your mouth shut. Nothing will get the ref to move you faster than hollering about his missed call.

ALWAYS keep the yap shut! We played NDCL this past week and I was just outside of the box behind the end line. Ball comes across the line and its a clear corner for our side. The official missed it and the ball then cleared the touch for a throw. Before the throw though, the official first asked me if it was over the end line (it was literally 3' in front of me). I told him simply that I was too occupied shooting to have noticed which was clearly untrue (which he could tell) despite it having been in favor of the side I was shooting. At the half, the official approached me and with a little bit of an understanding wink, said thanks for not throwing him under the bus before. Point is, your behavior as a "professional" out there does get noticed much more than you think. Don't abuse your access by having anything to say about the match while you are shooting ever. If that's difficult, invest in longer glass and shoot from the stands where cheering is encouraged . Okay, sorry, back to the regularly scheduled thread.....

photomommy72 wrote in post #13241740
Been shootting youth soccer for some time now, but stil trying to find those tips with shooting. I have a Canon 7D with a tele 7-200mm wit 1.4x Any advice is appreciated.

plagiarized from SportsShooter.com:

"SportsShooter.com 7D Settings
Picture Style - Standard (but sharpness upped to 4)

C.Fn III: Autofocus Drive
1 - AI Servo tracking Sensitivity: Set to -1
2 - AI Servo 1st/2nd img priority - Set to 0 - AF priority/Tracking Priority
3 - AI Servo Tracking Method - Set to 0 - Main Focus point priority (that way the camera focuses on what you want, not what it wants)
4 - Lens Drive when AF impossible - Set to 0
5 - AF Microadjustment - Set to 0 (Most people have said this is ineffective. Even the manual says it needs to be done on location where you are shooting to do any good.)
6 - AF area select mode - I have single point w/expansion selected and single point. Been shooting mostly on single point w/expansion for sports.
7 - AF Manual pt. selection pattern - Set to 1 (Continuous)
8 - VF display illumination - set to 1 (Enable)
9 - Display all AF points - Set to 0
10 - Focus Display in AI Servo/MF - Set to 0
11 - AF-assist beam firing - set to 2 (Enable to external flash only)
12 - Orientation linked AF point - Set to 0
13 - Mirror lockup - Set to 0 (Disable)

C.FN IV: Operations/Others

Shutter button is set to Meter only
AF-ON button is turned OFF (too easy to hit accidentally)
AE lock button (*) is set for metering and AF Start

Q: Diana, what led you to lower the AF tracking and increase the Sharpness that much?

A: Lowering the AF tracking keeps the focus from jumping around so much. Lowering it by 1 keeps it much more stable. I have not seen any more noise or rough edges by increasing the sharpness. The effect is very subtle and just makes the pics pop a little more. It's really personal preference, though."

And these football tips is also a good source for ideas...

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=735799

Shoot low.

ajaffe wrote in post #13243711
What sort of advice are you looking for? The standard ones I guess are:
-Clean backgrounds
-Shoot tight, crop tighter
-Track the subject before you make the picture to allow your Servo proper time to calculate
-No face or ball means no picture

that right there. although sometimes on some fields its tough getting a clean background but its possible

nicmo wrote in post #13245999
Shoot low.

+++++++1 - definitely true for youth soccer!

And also get the ball and face on that shot. Preferably when the player is looking somewhere else other than down (at the ball).

Brian_R wrote in post #13246023
that right there. although sometimes on some fields its tough getting a clean background but its possible

when backgrounds suck, one thing I always do is consciously tell myself to be patient and let the action fill the viewfinder. The more the athlete(s) fill the frame, the less distracting b/g there is to deal with. This is a good practice anyway but is especially important when shooting bad backgrounds. I'll also lay on the ground (as in flat) as that can further reduce b/g clutter.

nicmo wrote in post #13245999
Shoot low.

Yes, and no. Sometimes, if the backgrounds really suck, then I will stand to put more of the grass in the viewfinder. However, this is after I've made EVERY attempt to find a cleaner background. I kneel about 98% of the time. On that note, buy good knee pads if you plan in shooting a lot. Your knees will thank you.

namasste wrote in post #13245780
ALWAYS keep the yap shut! We played NDCL this past week and I was just outside of the box behind the end line. Ball comes across the line and its a clear corner for our side. The official missed it and the ball then cleared the touch for a throw. Before the throw though, the official first asked me if it was over the end line (it was literally 3' in front of me). I told him simply that I was too occupied shooting to have noticed which was clearly untrue (which he could tell) despite it having been in favor of the side I was shooting. At the half, the official approached me and with a little bit of an understanding wink, said thanks for not throwing him under the bus before. Point is, your behavior as a "professional" out there does get noticed much more than you think. Don't abuse your access by having anything to say about the match while you are shooting ever. If that's difficult, invest in longer glass and shoot from the stands where cheering is encouraged . Okay, sorry, back to the regularly scheduled thread.....

I've had officials ask me if I saw something one way or another. I always say, "No." I'm there to shoot the game, not influence play. However, I've seen the opposite of this many times.

ebann wrote in post #13246037
And also get the ball and face on that shot. Preferably when the player is looking somewhere else other than down (at the ball).

This is almost impossible to do in very young soccer.

My daughter is 11 years old, so not really youth. More like tweens. So, should I shoot standing up, kneeling?? I should use my monopod, too...correct?

photomommy72 wrote in post #13246552
My daughter is 11 years old, so not really youth. More like tweens. So, should I shoot standing up, kneeling?? I should use my monopod, too...correct?

I don't think a monopod is necessary for the 70-200. You could get away with either kneeling or standing for U11. Our oldest is U12 and she's 5'5" and there are a couple other girls on her team that are just as tall. Then again, our 12 year old niece is 4'9".