A few of my youngest (U4 soccer)

This is the most laid back kid you can imagine but when he gets on the pitch, he's all business. Just thought I'd share a couple snapshots from a proud papa. All with the 1D3 and 70-200 II w 1.4tc. Exif is there if you even care.

FYI, the team name is (a dad's nightmare), The Bunnies. At least its co-ed, right?

I know these all look about the same so I am open to any advice on shooting the "action" side of U4 soccer. College and pro is actually MUCH easier to shoot in my opinion.

1.

That much time on the ball at U4, you definately have a star on your hands.

Nice shoots!

Voaky999 wrote in post #12478069
That much time on the ball at U4, you definately have a star on your hands.

guess time will tell huh, too bad I don't have any genetic influence and can claim it's all just my good DNA? My six year old is similar (10+ goals/game) but I think its because the game is so much easier here. In Ethiopia, the ball was made of trash they found and strung together, no shoes, and the pitch...well, let's say once you got past the rocks, steep hillside, and donkey crossings, all that was left to deal with was a severed goat head or two. this is the soccer field equivalent of playing Augusta National to them .

those are some good shots.... he is into the game

namasste wrote in post #12478042
5.

Wonderful shots Scott ! Especially this number 5. You've got a few framers here - especially this one with the concentration, the tongue, the nice contrast and the bokeh to name a few attributes..... Sweet !

These are beauties.

And congrats on the budding star......love his dejected look on not being allowed to score anymore.

cheers !

namasste wrote in post #12478042
I am open to any advice on shooting the "action" side of U4 soccer.

There's action in U4 soccer?

Heading over to your neck of the woods next week Scott.

Sledhed wrote in post #12478876
There's action in U4 soccer?

Heading over to your neck of the woods next week Scott.

Gonna get to see you I hope bud. Call me and lemme know.

Darsk47 wrote in post #12478497
Wonderful shots Scott ! Especially this number 5. You've got a few framers here - especially this one with the concentration, the tongue, the nice contrast and the bokeh to name a few attributes..... Sweet !

These are beauties.

And congrats on the budding star......love his dejected look on not being allowed to score anymore.

cheers !

Darcy, thanks very much. I think shooting his games is the best thing since it keeps me away from being one of "those" parents. You know the ones.

Kats/JLBS. Thanks much, appreciate that.

Congratulations, dad! I'll bet you're just smiling from ear to ear!

Wonderful captures, Scott (of course, you know that), but few would have experienced what you did to bring this child to a "new world." Way to go!

Scott, my ex-college roommate, when his daughters were playing soccer, would give suckers to everyone during the games. (The more boisterous parents got two suckers.) Not a dumb move.

xochi2 wrote in post #12483180
Congratulations, dad! I'll bet you're just smiling from ear to ear!

Wonderful captures, Scott (of course, you know that), but few would have experienced what you did to bring this child to a "new world." Way to go!

Scott, my ex-college roommate, when his daughters were playing soccer, would give suckers to everyone during the games. (The more boisterous parents got two suckers.) Not a dumb move.

Thanks xochi, its hard not to smile around these boys, honestly, our whole family pretty much smiles all the time anymore (even my teens!). its impossible to verbalize what the experience has done to us all but I can say with no reservations whatsoever that God has blessed us beyond anything we could have imagined by putting them into our lives.

I LOVE the sucker idea...I'll let you know how that goes after the next game, thanks!

What can I possibly say - beautiful. Love especially all the tongue shots - shows the little guy's concentration.........

Pat

Thanks Pat. He's a gamer for sure but by far, the goofiest of all of my kids so its a nice yin/yang kinda thing.

namasste wrote in post #12479888
......since it keeps me away from being one of "those" parents. You know the ones.

Oh yeah - I know the ones ! Drive you nuts during a game and otherwise spoil a good evening.

One year we had to even go as far as trading cell numbers for the buddy system. That's so if annoying Dad & Mom wandered up before the game, my cell would ring and I'd have to take the call. I'd provide the same rescue service for my pals too. About 5 of us had each other's backs.... we just couldn't bear to hear the story again about how 9 year old Junior was being recruited by the United Federation of Planets Inter-Galactic team or some other tall tale.

Cheers !

Darsk47 wrote in post #12484471
Oh yeah - I know the ones ! Drive you nuts during a game and otherwise spoil a good evening.

One year we had to even go as far as trading cell numbers for the buddy system. That's so if annoying Dad & Mom wandered up before the game, my cell would ring and I'd have to take the call. I'd provide the same rescue service for my pals too. About 5 of us had each other's backs.... we just couldn't bear to hear the story again about how 9 year old Junior was being recruited by the United Federation of Planets Inter-Galactic team or some other tall tale.

Cheers !

it boggles the mind. I had a parent actually raving about my kid and if I'd gotten him signed up for premier programs and stuff and all I could do was look at her puzzled and remind her that the kid is 4 years old. goals or no goals, he is having a blast and that's as much as I can really want for him to take from the game.

funny but at the last match, a kid literally tackled another one as they were going to shoot and I jokingly yelled "Sir!" to the ref. At the half, the ref came over to explain why he let them play on thinking I was serious. I laughed and told him I was just busting his chops and he mentioned how often he does hear that at U4 games....only usually its serious! Really?

buddy system and suckers...getting some great ideas here.