Figured I'd show you some more photos so you guys can see my progress since using real equipment and shooting my first game 6 or 7 weeks ago.

Here's another day game from this weekend.

Then there's the night game, which I'm still not good at because I don't use flash. So much grain of course, but I must.

look for frontal shots. Most photographers will tell you they barely ever shoot shots from behind, or if they do, they aren't keepers. Your strongest shots are those from the front.

You have some very good shots there!

I do not usually keep shots of players from behind but anything can happen and I tend to stay with a player in case something does happen, because it normally does happen.

I do not recommend staying in an endzone though, unless you have some very long glass, and at night I definately do not suggest it. I stay on the sidelines, and depending on the teams, how the game is going, being a good guess at what the next play is and the type of shots I'm looking for I will line up behind the line or ahead of it. If it's 4th and inches I will get ahead of the play and focus on the QB and running back looking for one of the to try and jump the pile. If it's third and 24 I'll go 15 yards down field and try to get the catch, Or behind the line and try to get the QB throwing the pass or getting sacked. I put a lot of mileage on the boots walking the sidelines. The only time I go into the endzone is when there is a possibility of a sack for a safety or there is a good chance of a TD.
Knowing the game and teams, and what to expect will help a ton. However getting in good with coaches also helps. I have one coach who, if he sees me will tell the play and who it's going to so I can be ready for it :)

JS

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm trying to perfect my new skill and I realize it will take years, but your help will definitely quicken the process.

I'm super excited about the final round of the playoffs this year because it should be well lit. Depending on the school locations, the games will either be played at Giant's Stadium or Rutgers University Stadium. They will most likely be on a Saturday, but if there's one on a Friday night, I'm sure I'll be good.

Here they hold all the state finals football games (5 classes) on the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving. All five games are played in the RCA Dome and there are no lighting problems in there :) This year will be my second shooting all 5 games and could get very interesting for me personally as my old school is playing this Friday for a chance at a 6th trip to the finals. This Saturday I'll shoot another semistate game, but not the action too much, mostly the coach of one team as he lives in our county and is retiring at the end of the season. He coached this team for 39 years. If they make it the finals that means another check for me :)

Besides my website, I also shoot for numerous newspapers and a magazine at the state finals. Following the semistate games I'll be busy calling the papers that cover the finalists and try to make some deals which, in reality save them money as they are not paying travel costs and so on for their photographer. It also keeps the sidelines clearer with fewer shooters.

JS