Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I move during a game. Shoot from sidelines corners and if there is a safety net on the end line which there often is you can shoot from behind that with no problems. Your lens will be able to focus through the net and you won’t even see it.
One last thing I will add shooting sports takes lots of practice. Don’t expect pro results the first time out. Approach every game as a practice session. Experiment with different settings. Have fun with it. Only post your best images, not the pretty good ones or the just ok ones. Be self critical only let people see your best work. I will shoot anywhere from 300-600 shots during a game to get 50-100 keepers. Sometimes less. Your best ones are for posting and sharing all the others are for learning. Good luck and have fun.

Photocraig

I agree, I'd try f4 or 5.6 and use the Auto ISO to compensate. Remember that those faces are shaded and screened, so maybe a little over exposure may be called for. Try some variations when you're shooting practices. Experiment and chimp.

Some other thoughts:
If you have an anti flicker setting and a WB setting for the vapor lights usually used in stadiums see your Nikon Manual.
Shoot a few of practices to get used to the flow of the game. Take time to ask the coach where he wants you to be and NOT to be. Get his picture, too! Also, some players don't get much playing time, be sure to include them in practice action. Especially the back up Goal Keeper.
Before every game introduce yourself to the refs. Ask the same where and where not to be. Get their contact info and send them a few pictures. They are part of the game, they do it for the LOVE of the game, and they're UNDER appreciated. Nice words, remember their names. They'll help you more than you could expect.
Shoot from the corner of the offensive end--where your team is shooting toward you. By corner i mean maybe 5 feet behind the Goal on the sidelineS. The Back Line (or whatever they call it) puts you too far away. Practice Goal Keeper shots. They're dynamic and make the crazy faces, too.
Switch ends as the teams switch goals they're shooting. Shoot action coming toward you..
Take some turns shooting the defense from about 10-20 yards out.
Lacrosse face-offs are gnarly, try for low angle shots since they're literally on the ground.

I love panning. Great practice is shooting moving cars trying to "freeze" the spinning wheels. Bikes are fun too. It is a skill and easily mastered with some work.
The game is a whole show. Field action, teams on the sidelines, spectators, cheer squad, and of course, the little brothers and sisters.

CAUTION: These guys move fast, those sticks and that ball are HARD. Keep both eyes open when shooting and DON'T turn your back on the action EVER!!!! Wear good shoes appropriate for the surface and conditions. Stay Hydrated.
Prepare to be exhausted and be sure to enjoy a post game steak with your son. enjoy being a part of a great uniquely American sport, and a good bonding experience with your son.

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

I'd suggest starting by shooting as you have been and adjust as you need to. From the side lines I'm thinking a 70-200 may be too long with a half frame camera, bring a second body with a shorter lens and see what works best. I'd expect you'll have to run a lot to get the players from the side lines and from the end zone. Better you then me!😁

cascom Loc: Redmond

I find a lacrosse ball is very difficult to see under the lights. Be careful

aschweik Loc: NE Ohio

Love all this advice! Thanks to everyone! I have about 3 weeks until the first game. Next week is regular practice with girls divided into JV and Varsity (indoors a lot this week due to weather). So I have some time to get out and do some shooting during regular practices on the field (if the weather gets better!...lots of snow today). Thanks again...a lot of great and helpful information!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You should be fine with your gear during the day. At night don't forget to enable the D7200's anti flicker mode so you won't have any interaction with the stadium lighting, which cycles every 60 secs and can cause uneven lighting/color when you use shutter speeds shorter than 1/125 sec. What exposure settings you use depends on your level of comfort. I use manual, setting the shutter to at least 1/500 or shorter, F4-F5.6 on a 70-200 F2.8, and auto ISO, spot meter mode. If they are wearing uniforms with white, I might add a little extra exposure. But you can do this with manual exposure and a fixed ISO. My cameras have a highlight protected spot metering mode, so I have a little insurance against blown highlights. I don't know if this is available on the D7200.

Kazjkram

Don’t forget about post processing. The rule of thirds is your friend. With fast action it is not always possible to compose the capture the exact way you want. I always crop my soccer pictures where the ball or the player’s head or body falls on one of the “third” lines. Also pay attention to the horizon. Generally you want a level horizon so it doesn’t look like the Joker’s hideout in the circa 1966 Batman series. Although occasionally a tilted horizon can add dramatic effect. Look for fences, buildings, goal posts to help you rotate the picture correctly.

aschweik Loc: NE Ohio

Update: All of our schools have been cancelled for at least 3 weeks due to Coronavirus, along with all sports. So our lax season is on hold for now. Thanks to all for your advice, which I'll put to good use whenever the season starts up again. Appreciate it.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I am done for a while too.
Jules from Las Vegas

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

Sorry to hear that. Jules is the man for sport photography. He shoots for MaxPreps.com. They are very strict on what they will accept and let you put online. They are part of CBS Sports. Also my own opinion/experience of shooting f/4 or f/5.6 at any high school at night is a waste. The lighting is bad at most high school stadiums and not very even anywhere on the field. Do go and see what it is like shooting at night though. The only way to get better is Practice, Practice, Practice. There is no sub for that. Always have fun, that is why most of us sport photographers do this. Thanks and when/if you get to shoot post photos. We all love to see what the other Hogs are shooting.

Tom

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I still haven't shot anything except my cat in the backyard. Not since March 12th anyway. Here are a couple of examples for you when you go back to shooting lax. The action comes to you, no backs. Be careful that ball is hard as a rock.
Happy Holidays.

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dsnoke Loc: North Georgia, USA

One of my daughters played lacrosse in college, but I never tried to photograph that. I did photograph her high school soccer however. If it were me, I'd get on the sideline even with or past the goal line (the front of the goal in lacrosse.) You'll always have the problem of some players facing away from you, but that position gets at least some chance of capturing shots in progress. I'd also think about what player(s) you want to get most and where they typically play on the field. I might also consider shooting from a different vantage point each quarter.
Good luck!

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

Love these. Of course I love all your photograph's. I really want to shoot some Lacrosse. I almost went to a match last year. Sometimes the action is fast. The ball they play with travels really fast, hard to follow sometimes. He is right about no backs period. It took me a long time to get that thorough my thick scull. I think I have finally got it and when I cull through my photos I go through and delete the backs and the out of focus first thing. I don't even think well maybe, DONE DELETE. Jules has really been a BIG help to me for getting my shots better and better. Thanks

Tom

aschweik Loc: NE Ohio

Thanks for all this continued advice! I'm really hoping we can have a lax season this spring! I really missed it last year. Such a fun sport and fun to shoot as well. I'll keep all your advice in mind for sure. And I'll probably be posting more here when and if I can finally start shooting. I'm sure I'll have more questions then than I do now! Thanks so much and best to you all in the new year.

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

This really is a good place for help/advice on all photography questions. Don't be afraid to ask anything. We are all here to get better at photography and help one another. 99.9% of the people on the HOG are good people and try to help, and the .1% think they know it all so just ignore them. Have FUN!!

Tom