Kids football (soccer for my American friends)

I'm planning to shoot a tournament (following one team) at the end of the month, and remember reading a tip about focussing on the torso, rather than the face. I just wanted to get other opinions, to see if this is standard practice?
I plan to borrow a 70-200 mkI 2.8 IS for the game, and was wondering what aperture you guys would recommend? I was thinking about f4, assuming there's enough light, but not sure that the DOF will be wide enough if I'm filling the frame at 200mm!?! Any thoughts?

Thanks
Scott

beano wrote in post #17075441
I'm planning to shoot a tournament (following one team) at the end of the month, and remember reading a tip about focussing on the torso, rather than the face. I just wanted to get other opinions, to see if this is standard practice?
I plan to borrow a 70-200 mkI 2.8 IS for the game, and was wondering what aperture you guys would recommend? I was thinking about f4, assuming there's enough light, but not sure that the DOF will be wide enough if I'm filling the frame at 200mm!?! Any thoughts?

Thanks
Scott

Use center point and AI servo. Frame the player in the middle of the viewfinder, do not even try to follow the head/face. By watching the head/face you should be able to time the shot for a header. Unless you are wanting more than one player in focus the f2.8 will be sufficent, if worried then use tf4. If you want photos that fill the frame know that the200mm will be good out to 20 yards. If you plan on having shots that are over 20 yards and you want to concentrate on one player then use the 400m f5.6. From the midfield you will be able to cover both goals. From the end line you will be good out to the midfield for the attacking players. No matter which lens you plan on using take it out and shoot flying birds, that is great practice for fast moving action. Get low either kneeling or sitting on the ground.

I'd go with the 400mm, mono pod and A1servo. If you're on the halfway line then you'll be about 50 yards away from any goal mouth action. Any chance of two bodies one with the 70-200mm and the other with the 400mm.

I shot a kids soccer event recently. Depends on ages, younger kids play on smaller pitch with smaller goals. I have a 70-200mm L and that was adequate for the smaller kids on the smaller pitches. Once you get to 12-13yrs and they play on the full size pitch you encounter the same issues as adult soccer, in that its impossible to get all the action, just wait for the action to come to you and perhaps move around a bit during the game to shoot other team players. Centre point focussing, AI servo, multiple shot. Most important, SIT down, on the grass or on a stool. I shoot f4 and that is about enough to cover two players going for the ball. Shoot a bit wide and crop in PP.

http://photodiva.zenfo​lio.com/p104477840

Shoot from behind the goals (rather than the sidelines) if you can. In my experience, it's a better angle. Get down to their level (if you're talking very young kids).

I'd say 400mm is long for youth soccer/football, but it might be fine with a full-frame. I shoot with a 70-300 IS on a 40D, and find that to be OK for most situations.

Have fun!

Thanks for all the help guys. The pitches are still quite small, which is why I'm borrowing the 70-200mm. I think I'll have plenty of time to move around, as I'm just shooting my team, so should be able to get everyone.

f3.2 or f3.5 so that I more of the body and face in focus. I find f2.8 doesn't get enough of the player in focus and I miss a lot of shots at the aperture. I'll go as high as f4.
Good luck

beano wrote in post #17076186
Thanks for all the help guys. The pitches are still quite small, which is why I'm borrowing the 70-200mm.

70-200 on your IDII should cover a small field just fine. The 400 will be useful only for shooting across the field, goal to goal distance.