Knock your Spring Sports Coverage out of the Park – Tips and Tricks for Spring Sports Coverage

Spring sports for yearbook are tricky. The warm weather is approaching, the seniors are beginning their transition to graduation and many of you are starting to feel the sweet approach of summer vacation. Despite the temptation, it’s important that your staff prepare in advance for adequate spring sports coverage. Here are some tips and tricks for making your spring sports coverage the best it can be:

1. Consider Your Delivery Time

This is the first question you have to consider when sitting down to begin your spring sports coverage for the yearbook.

• Spring Delivery – If you are a spring delivery, your timeline looks a lot different to those who have a summer/fall. If your delivery time comes before the school year is over, think about how you intend to cover these events. Do you print a supplemental insert? If you do not, how will you showcase these sports? You will likely send your book to print before the season is over, meaning limited photo opportunities and an incomplete scoreboard, so your spread coverage will require planning and creativity. Not only are your spring sports season happening after your delivery, but you also want to consider prom, graduation and other spring-time activities that may not receive the same attention as your earlier events. Be mindful of how to prioritize your coverage, despite your book being completed before the end of the school year.

• Summer / Fall Delivery – Summer/Fall delivery schools have a distinct advantage when considering spring coverage for the yearbook. With this in mind, your staff will need to plan ahead for when your seniors leave and how you want to cover gaps in your staff. Plan ahead and know when you need events covered.

2. Plan for Great Spring Sports Yearbook Photography

• Meet with Coaches – Before the season is in full swing, it’s always wise to talk with coaches to get the season schedule, team rosters and any other relevant information. Introduce yourself to them and explain that the staff will be regularly attending practices and competitions in order to document the team’s season. Ask where you should stand and how close you can get in on the action. The better communication you have with the coaching staff, the better your photos and interviews will be.
• Take as Many Photos as Possible – As soon as the schedule is in place for spring sports, it is your responsibility to map out your coverage. Ensure your staff understands the importance of attending practices and events and make a shooting schedule that your photographers need to stick to. Don’t lose sight of the season just because the school year is coming to an end. Hold your staff accountable with shooting assignments and required event attendance.
• Add Variety to your Shots – Take as many shots as possible from various angles, capturing the emotions of both the athletes and the crowd. Consider action and reaction shots and be sure to shoot horizontal and vertical to add some varying photo sizes. The more you diversify your shooting position and who you’re focusing on, the better your photos will be.

3. Consider the Unexpected

• Beware of the Weather – Springtime brings rain, surprise bouts of snow and other unexpected weather-related events. Always bring a raincoat, umbrella and items to protect your equipment. If the athletes are running in the rain, you should be out there taking advantage of the cloudy weather. Be prepared to get rained on! This “Shooting Through the Storms” article has great information on photographing events during bad weather events.
• Senior Departure – As your spring season begins to wind down, your seniors have one foot out the door. Hold your staff accountable and ensure you get all the photos you need from your graduating staff. Leave no SD card unturned!

4. Find the Story

• Determine the defining moments of the season – Talk to your coaches and players to find the most impactful story of the year. Maybe it was that one game against their rival team that they won for the first time in years, perhaps it was a senior starting the season with an injury, or maybe it was the impact of a new coach. The possibilities are endless with how you frame your story; however, you can’t find it unless you talk to your coaches and players. Get the story and dig deep!
• Consider modular packaging – Modular packages are a fool-proof way to get a variety of player and coach perspectives. Consider the story within the story:
  • What’s in Your Bag?
  • Team Number Story
  • How-To’s
  • Statistics
  • Coach and Player Profiles

Great spring sport yearbook coverage is possible if your staff finds the stories and plan ahead. Be mindful of how you want to tackle the spring season to ensure you captivate the season through great photography, storytelling and design. For more resources on photography and coverage, visit www.help.walsworthyearbooks.com.