Help please shooting UK American Football for the first time

I'm going to have a go at shooting American Football for the first time in a couple of weeks. As you can imagine this isnt in a huge stadium as in the States, but instead on an open pitch, but at least I should be able to get close. The only place I wont be able to go is the players area. The game will take place during the day, so hopefully in ok lighting.

In my photography arsenal is

Canon 7D
28-70 f2.8
70-200 f2.8 II
100-400
1.4x III extender
600 f4

I have read that the game can be very hard to follow to get "clean" shots of players, so the question is, where do I need to be and what do I need to be looking out for to get the best possible quality shots? Also, what lens do you think I should concentrate on using to achieve this.

I have thought about watching some footall on TV but the standard is obviously going to be well above what I will be photographing, so will the game flow and move differently?

Thanks in advance for your help

In the US, photographers are usually relegated to a zone that extends from the 30 yard line or so, depending on the stadium, etc. to the endzone and then the endzone itself. So basically there's a cushion on either side of the team are, which is usually in the middle, that photographers roam. Everyone is different in their approach, but try to stay in front of the action, as you'll generally want to get it coming at you. If it's daytime, the light should be fine for the 100-400. You aren't going to get as much separation from the background, but that can't be helped with that lens. I would think the 600mm should be a bit much as on a crop you're getting the equivalent to roughly 900mm. I think the 100-400 and try the 70-200 with the extender.

nigpd wrote in post #14529995
I'm going to have a go at shooting American Football for the first time in a couple of weeks. As you can imagine this isnt in a huge stadium as in the States, but instead on an open pitch, but at least I should be able to get close. The only place I wont be able to go is the players area. The game will take place during the day, so hopefully in ok lighting.

In my photography arsenal is

Canon 7D
28-70 f2.8
70-200 f2.8 II
100-400
1.4x III extender
600 f4

I have read that the game can be very hard to follow to get "clean" shots of players, so the question is, where do I need to be and what do I need to be looking out for to get the best possible quality shots? Also, what lens do you think I should concentrate on using to achieve this.

I have thought about watching some footall on TV but the standard is obviously going to be well above what I will be photographing, so will the game flow and move differently?

Thanks in advance for your help

My personal experience (and I've just recently started with AF) is get in touch with whichever club you are going to, if they are happy for you to be there, you'll probably find any other club photographers are happy to let you shadow them, other people will probably be helpful and explain the game. Easy it ain't. Watching it on TV is rather like watching Prem Footie - the cameras are up high and don't give you much clue about what you'll see from the pitch level.

If you are allowed on the sidelines, always keep an eye on the play, if they come barrelling towards you, get outta the way fast.

I wrote this a while ago - let me know if you need much more, I'm happy to help wherever I can - Click!

Here's a shot from yesterday's rain-soaked London Blitz game in London. This shows the Ipswich Cardinals' QB being run over by the Blitz linebacker who'd just picked him off.

Thanks guys for the brilliant replies. The top ten tips is bang on the money too. Perfect.

Bloomin' 'eck I love this forum. Can't wait till the 23rd now

Some tips. These were directed toward football at dusk but most will still apply.

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

If you can find another body to borrow, strap the 70-200 on one and the 100-400 on the other and you will have a good range to shoot with 600MM is too much unless you are confined to an end zone and need to always shoot upfield. if you are limited to one body, use the 100-400 as it gives you a better range than the 70-200.

As to shots, here are some examples from my FOOTBALL shot this season...most games outside, one in domed stadium. If you want good shots of running backs, QB etc. position yourself down field and have them coming to you. If you want receivers and defenders, position yourself behind line of scrimmage and shoot upfield. You should get the hang pretty quick of what positioning will give you what shot. When play gets close to end zone, move behind end zone to shoot.

Have fun with it.

Thanks guys for your encouraging opinions and for sharing your experiences. Excellent reading and I cant wait to give it a go