Football catches

<p>Being from this side of the Pond I've hardly done any (American) Football, but did one on Sunday. It was overwhelmingly a running game, with maybe only 3 completed passes in the game. But even on those passes I started to wonder what the general practice was when trying to capture catch shots. Is it down to reading the game and using educated guesswork as to when and to whom the quarterback is going to make a pass? Presumably there is little chance that as he starts the pass you can quickly pan or follow the ball all the way to the reciever, unless it's a massively long, high pass. Basically what I'm asking is if I want that shot should I be following a reciever with the camera and waiting for the ball to come?<br>

As for reading the game, I do know the rules and the run of the game, but am by no means an expert. Any tips for predicting when a pass might come? For example I'd guess 3rd down and needing 10 or more yards could be a good candidate for a pass, unlikely on 4th down, unlikely on 2nd or 3rd when only needing a yard or two?<br />Many thanks in advance.<br>

Steve</p>

 

<p>You have the basic ideas. I try to shoot with both eyes open, one looking through the lens at the quarterback and the other trying to follow recievers. When I see the QB is going to pass I try to read his eyes, like a defensive back would, and use the other eye that was trying to see the recievers to help find and swing to that man. As you shoot more, and especially the same teams, you will learn tendencies and who the favorite recievers are. This will make getting that catch easier.</p>

<p>When shooting football, it really pays off to understand the intricacies of the game and the tendencies of the team. Down and distance, situation (score/clock), and formation can help you to "guess" whether to expect a running play or pass play. </p>

<p>Being able to read a defense is also helpful. Knowing if a defense is in man to man or zone coverage helps you to identify the match-ups that a QB sees in his pre-snap read. The offensive linemen will also give you some clues. If their heads and shoulders square upward at the snap, there is a good chance a pass is coming. </p>

<p>Study the team you are shooting ahead of time as well. If they are a spread or run-and-shoot offense, they will probably pass more often. Some programs are traditionally run oriented but many have adopted more of the West Coast style passing attack which means they may pass more often than run.</p>

<p>You have the general idea. Getting the "great catch shot" is probably the most difficult shot to get in football. What makes it especially difficult is that until you get to the high powered offences of the NFL you don't get many opportunities due to the run-heavy offences in amateur football. </p>

<p>Daniel and Gary give great advise...know the tendencies of the team you're shooting, know the intricacies of the game, and follow the receivers with one eye while trying to read the quarterback with the other. </p>

<p>Hope this helps,<br>

RS </p>

<p>Thanks guys, that's more or less what I thought - just wondered if there was some magic formula I was missing out on!!! It's obviously not easy.<br>

Quite obviously the teams in the UK are a LONG way behind you, I'd guess the best team in the country would be equivalent of really low level High School football over in the US, and it seemed to me just as you say Richard that the less good the team the more they run. As I said in my first post there was only maybe 3 complete passes in the whole games, and at least that many turnovers from passes. You've obviously got to have all the components working for you to get a complete pass: a good play worked out, a reciever who can make a break into space, linemen who can protect the QB well, and a QB that can make an accurate, fast direct pass.<br>

I've always loved the game and am going to try to shoot of much of it as I can.<br>

Thanks again for the advice.<br>

Steve</p>

<div></div>

<p>Another shot</p>

<p>Sorry about the multiple posts!</p>

<p>Here it is!</p><div></div>

<p>Another</p><div></div>

<p>Finally! Still getting the hang of this image posting - any tips anyone for posting multiple pics?</p><div></div>

<p>It really helps to know the game. I have been shooting high school football since 2003. What I do is follow the quarterback and I know who he is throwing to (left or right) by the direction he's facing as he winds up to throw the ball. The majority of my 500Gigs of photos are football.<br>

One thing that may help you is to stand at the end of the field behind the end zone. When the team is in scoring position, coming towards you, its much easier to detect where the QB is going to pass, and the same applies for a running play. The photo shown is from the back of the end zone.<br>

Having said that, I normally stand about 10 to 20 yards down field (toward the end zone that is being pursued).<br>

My advise is to keep shooting more and more games.</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks Dave, that's my plan!<br />Steve</p>

 

<p>Steve, here is an answer your question about muliple pics. First you need to have your photos on the internet somewhere using the url ending with .jpg. The following are on photobucket.com You then need to use a litlle bit of html. the br code creates a break for a new line.<br>

The following code was used to post the pics. Replace the [ ] with < ><br>

src=http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photonet%202009/091031-MNLO-LC-133.jpg[br]<br>

src=http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photonet%202009/091031-MNLO-LC-129.jpg[br]<br>

src=http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photonet%202009/091031-MNLO-LC-022.jpg[br]<br>

src=http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photonet%202009/091114-MNLO-WLMT-096.jpg[br]<br>

<img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photonet%202009/091031-MNLO-LC-133.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photonet%202009/091031-MNLO-LC-129.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photonet%202009/091031-MNLO-LC-022.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/photonet%202009/091114-MNLO-WLMT-096.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Nice stuff Daniel, that's the sort of thing I had in mind.<br>

Steve</p>

 

<p>I always try to position myself with the team I want to shoot coming toward me. Know the down and distance. If it's third and long, or even second and long, odds are that a pass play is going to be in the mix. <br>

If you see the QB drop back to pass, notice which way he is looking. Quickly locate the reciever down field, press and hold the shutter release. Eventually, you'll get the hang of it. Also, if you can, see if the team will let you shoot during a practice. This will help you better understand the mechanics of the passing game and work on your timing as a photographer.<br>

This is one of my favorites:</p><div></div>

<p>I really believe.. if you don't shoot football with both eyes open... you really up the odds of getting yourself run over and injured by players continuing play into the sidelines.</p>

<p>Yes Dave, nearly happened to me today! Ashamed to say I chose to run away rather than get the shot and get flattened.</p><div></div>

<p>Got a few catches today!</p><div></div>

<p>One more</p><div></div>

<p>The photographer in the backwards red cap backing up at about the 12 - 13 second spot in the youtube newsclip video is me:<a> News clip </a><br>

This is the picture I got on that play. At about the 7 - 8 second spot in the video<br>

<img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/gaelson/091205-LINF-UST-114.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Oops! Link didn't work. Just copy and paste: <a href="

<p>Great shots guys! I don't know about you but my mono pod has saved my legs a number of times at football games. I can always get more money for mono pods, not knees. Cheers.</p>

<p>Definitly try to locate the targeted reciever as soon as you can. Don't worry about following the flight of the ball in the air, unless you want a picture of the ball hanging in mid-air by itself. Once the QB throws the pass locate the reciever and train your camera on him, you'll start to learn the body movements after enough practice to know when the ball is about to get there. When his hands go up start shooting, the ball will fall into the frame. With enough practice you'll start to anticipate better.</p>

<p>And there's always the key ingredient to every great shot... luck.</p>

<p>Then again, you just have to be lucky. I've been shooting football for, well lets just say awhile. My trick is to practice focusing on fast moving subjects. Vehicles traveling on a highway is good. Or get to the game an hour early. Teams practice their basic plays. Check out the recievers and dry shoot them for awhile. If you use a 300 or 400mm lens, you will soon see how important this practice will be for you.</p>

<p>Here is my photo contribution.</p>