First Try at School Soccer - CC to improve Please

This is my first attempt at sports. I shot these with 5dMark III and 70 -200 f2.8 MK II. Can you tell me how i can further improve sharpness, composition, freezing the action etc. I used Case 4 for focus tracking. All CC's are highly appreciated to help me improve. I have very high regards for all the pros/enthusiasts in this forum. Please check out my photos in the next page...All the comments here from the folks i have tried to incorporate...

One More..

When I shoot soccer I like to get low. I generally shoot from my knees.

mmcguire wrote in post #15793834
When I shoot soccer I like to get low. I generally shoot from my knees.

Thank you mmcguire, appreciate your comments. I will keep that in mind next time when i shoot.

Is it just the angle ? Any other comments, issues any body ?....

look for angles that limit background distractions. This is usually tough at the youth level with parking lots, etc. The tradeoff is the best spots are typically away from the other team parents so you loose the interaction with them in order to get the best photos.

I always use center spot focus point and keep IS off on the lens.

For me I vary my locations and angles so i have a mix of images and styles to avoid getting in a rut.

For #1 and #3, crop tighter and look for the story in the shot.

keep it up.

jfkmlbcvg wrote in post #15794054
look for angles that limit background distractions. This is usually tough at the youth level with parking lots, etc. The tradeoff is the best spots are typically away from the other team parents so you loose the interaction with them in order to get the best photos.

I always use center spot focus point and keep IS off on the lens.

For me I vary my locations and angles so i have a mix of images and styles to avoid getting in a rut.

For #1 and #3, crop tighter and look for the story in the shot.

keep it up.

Yes I agree on everything you said except the IS off part. I am not sure why ..? With the 70 200 f2.8 II being heavy as it is i would not have been near this sharpness without IS On.

And yes i did use Center point + Surrounding 9 assisting points....

Thanks for your comments jfkmlbcvg. Helps me get better. Appreciate it...

I shoot my kids soccer pics too and agree

those pics look really good!
I agree with everyone else...

TeleFragger wrote in post #15794157
I shoot my kids soccer pics too and agree

those pics look really good!
I agree with everyone else...

Thank you TeleFragger. I appreciate it and gives me more confidence ....

Check the timing and anticipate the movement. That will help the shot tell its story. You can probably tell that -in this regards and crop aside- that 1 is better than 3.

Corbeau wrote in post #15794390
Check the timing and anticipate the movement. That will help the shot tell its story. You can probably tell that -in this regards and crop aside- that 1 is better than 3.

agreed.. always crop in or get the pic with the person going somewhere.. not where they have been... unless that works for ya.

some like the crop so tight it is just the person in it from almost side to side.. i like the 3rds with them going through people or approaching and people anticipating

Agree with others, get as low as reasonable, frame tight, and crop tighter. It took me a while to work up the courage/skill to frame really tight, but the IQ is so much higher when I do (less cropping).

Corbeau wrote in post #15794390
Check the timing and anticipate the movement. That will help the shot tell its story. You can probably tell that -in this regards and crop aside- that 1 is better than 3.

Yep. I try to do that and the kids move so fast....I just spray and pray...but i guess more practice will improve my skills. Thanks..

Thank You Telefragger...TIghter crop and get low were the lessons i took with me to the field today....i hope the picture that follows this post justifies that....

waterrockets wrote in post #15794924
Agree with others, get as low as reasonable, frame tight, and crop tighter. It took me a while to work up the courage/skill to frame really tight, but the IQ is so much higher when I do (less cropping).

I agree. Right now i have more real estate in the frame and less confidence...When i am sure to get more keepers i will close in that way the IQ does not suffer. GOod suggestion though.. Thanks.

crop tight , always look to get faces with action and possible the opponent not blocking the team your shootings face