Some advise on shooting sports.

Specifically high school football on a Friday night. I've been invited to shoot a game with a videographer under the lights. While he can't give me a lot of advise it'll be a great skills honing exercise. I was going to take the whole bag and my monopod so I can move easily. I have variable polarizer and UV filters for both my lenses. What advise can y'all give so I can get a good jump before next Friday? TIA.

If it's a night game, it seems the 70-300 would be too slow for your needs.
Perhaps you could rent a 70-200 f/2.8 for the game?

Depends on the cost. This kinda drained me for now.

If you have to use the 70-300 IS, then put the ISO really high on the XSi (800 minimum, 1600 most likely) and see what shutter speeds the field is giving you. If the shutter speeds really are going to be low, then consider panning shots.

I've shot night football at my niece's school using my 100-400L and 20D. At first I used "P" mode and ISO 1600 or 3200. P mode worked fairly well but now I shoot in manual mode for more consistent exposures.

Before the game starts take a few test shots to find what works best, then leave those settings unless field lighting changes. Your UV filter will be OK but may cause some flare if you're shooting into the lights. The polarizer will cut your available light by about 2 stops so you'll want to leave it off.

You'll want the fastest shutter you can get so set your aperture wide open and ISO to 1600. Test shutter speeds until you're getting good exposures.

If you have an external flash use it at a shutter speed of 250 fastest ap. possible at iso 800-1600 maybe even +2/3-1on your flash and good luck

The lighting at most HS fields is terrible and varies from the 50yd line to the end zones. The end zones are usually darker. You may have a difficult time with the 70-300. You will need an external flash at some fields. To get by with the lens you have, you should concentrate on shots in which players are not running. IS will not be of any help because it it designed so that you can hand hold a camera at slow shutter speeds and you need a faster speed when shooting sports. You can also hand hold the camera with your lens and will not need the monopod. The prior suggestion that you should shoot with a minimum of a 70-200 f/2.8 is accurate.

There are a few things that you should take to the field. They are a spare charged camera battery, spare CF cards and spare batteries for your flash. Other things to consider taking are a small notebook and pen. I use a belt system so that nothing is left on the ground where it can get damaged.
I carry all the above plus my 17-50 2.8 lens to use for any post game shots. For a typical night HS football game I use a 70-200 f/2.8 and a 580ex flash. For daytime games I drop the flash and add a 1.4 extender. I hope this helps.

Enjoy the game

The 70-300 will be very hard to use... I need f/2.8 @ ISO 3200 to get a fast enough shutter speed. Try to rent a 70-200 2.8, if you can't do that, find out if you can flash. If you can, dial in your flash on manual to 1/32 or 1/64 and adjust your EC as necessary. If will be hard with such a slow lens, but best of luck.

Visit sportsshooter.com , search high school football.

I have covered the NFL and NCAA extensively and travel light usually. 3 bodies, 3 lenses, shoot in manual exposure. I hate flash at football (and I have shot my fair share of high school football) look at ISO 1600, wide open at 1/250 or above, remember to pan with the subject, even when you don't think it is feasible.

Well, I went and did a bad thing last night. Adorama had this on a demo price inexcellent shape.

SKnight wrote in post #6211435
Well, I went and did a bad thing last night. Adorama had this on a demo price inexcellent shape.

I looked and decided I had a little more coin to spend than I thought, plus I found a freeware photo editor online that does all I need right now. Ugh, when does it end? Never? Thought so.

Eventually it will pay for itself.

Your right, IT NEVER ENDS!