College BBALL Strobe Set Up??

So i "work" for the CSU Chico's student newspaper and am shooting the basketball games this weekend. I recently picked up some cheap ebay triggers and have a 580exii and a 430ex to work with. However i dont have any light stands or clamps, all i have is a tripod and a small little base that came with the 580. So Where would ya'll suggest i place these so there out of the way and i dont have to worry about them getting kicked or knocked over. And the back wall of the gym is white and about 5 ft from the hoop, should i bounce both flashes off of it??

This is my first time strobing basketball, and just about my first time strobing anything!!

This is just a wild suggestion, but you can buy the cheap spring clamps at Lowes or HD for less than $3 each. Add a 1/4 bolt and nut and you are all set. If you have handrails available - say up on the second level, clamp to them and mount your flash. I would strongly suggest that you tape the clamp in position so it doesn't slip and fall due to vibration or exuberant fans.

Here's a link to my spring clamp project.

I would check the rules for your school. As far as my school(ncaa div 2) is concerned, no flash is allowed for collegiate athletics. A newpaper photog was asked to leave a few months ago for using flash.

Most universities that allow flash regulate that you must have the lights on the ceiling.

"CSU Chico's" That isn't Colorado State University you are talking about is it? If it is, then you'll need a whole heck of a lot more light in Moby Areana. I was just up in Ft. Collins to watch a CSU mens Bball game against San Diego State. That is one dark, dingy areana. If strobes can't be used then I would say get yourself one fast hunk of glass like a 85 f1.8 and raise your ISO up to at least 1000.
I saw several photogs at the game shooting from the baseline, no strobes were used durning the game.

I dont mean to plug another photo website, but there is a blog over at strobist.com that pretty much addresses your precise question..... on a shoestring budget.

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …lighting-college-gym.html

If this kind of post is NOT ok- lemme know....

Only other thing Id suggest when/if you decide to hang something over other people's heads is - insurance.

Im running this buy my editor tomorrow and see who I can talk to about this.
Thanks for the strobist link, I lurk on that site a ton, but I had never seen that.

ChasWG wrote in post #9520711
"CSU Chico's" That isn't Colorado State University you are talking about is it?

Try California State University-Chico.

I'll be honest, I'm way more familiar with Division I rules and can tell you that kind of setup would not be allowed in a Division I school. NCAA limits the number of strobes that may be installed and then it comes to priority as to who gets to use them. You are best to check with your editor or the SID at the school before you even attempt it. It may be different for you since the school is not Division I and probably has a different set of rules.

If you've never even tried using strobes- this might be a tough place to try to figure it all out.

If you have a 40D, you can defintely push that thing to iso1600 or 3200 and get workable pictures (just dont underexpose). Grab the fastest prime you can (85/1.8 is a good choice) and shoot ambient.

jacuff wrote in post #9524234
Try California State University-Chico.

I'll be honest, I'm way more familiar with Division I rules and can tell you that kind of setup would not be allowed in a Division I school. NCAA limits the number of strobes that may be installed and then it comes to priority as to who gets to use them. You are best to check with your editor or the SID at the school before you even attempt it. It may be different for you since the school is not Division I and probably has a different set of rules.

I think a "different" set of rules means not many rules. I talked with the University pro and he said that according to the rules, off camera is okay. On camera is a no-no(obviously) and that the worst that can happen is one ref can say something in which case ill turn em off.
But according to the rules, I am good to go.