OK--you're enthusiasm is going to carry you...which is good. Please know simply purchasing a sophisticated camera and lens does immediately guarantee SPORTS ILLUSTRATED quality shots. Many of us on this site have spent years developing our skills (pun intended for those of us who learned in the days of film, darkrooms, and manual focus lenses.) That said, you have a number of factors in your favor.

First, your grandson plays a position that should give you plenty of opportunities to shoot him exclusively in action, especially since you are in the stands. If at all possible try to get as close to the field as you can. Since your shooting in daylight, also try to sit with the sun either behind you, or to either side; otherwise you will be shooting into the sun and your subjects will be mostly silhouetted. With the crop factor on your camera your lens will reach fairly far onto the field.

Those are the easier parts of my advice. My only experience with Canon cameras was back in the 80's with a AE-1p--a film camera. So, the basics. As long as you have sunlight, I would suggest setting your ISO at 800. You should set your shutter speed at 1000. Then your aperture setting should be automatic. Since you have at least a week before the next game the following link should be elementary enough to help you understand the settings I just suggested. It features your camera.

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/canon-t6-user-guide,review-4590.html

If your camera allows "burst shooting"--where when you push the shutter release it fires multiple shots, you will want this setting. Make sure your battery is fully charged. Don't bother using your flash--it doesn't have enough power to affect the quality of the pictures, and will waste the battery.

As your grandson lines-up for the play, train your camera with him completely in the frame, and 1/2 depress the shutter to prefocus your lens. As the play happens, stay on him, and when a pass comes his way, start firing before--before--he starts to catch it. Here's a trick, since your a newbie. Whichever eye is not in the viewfinder, leave it open and use it to give you a wide-field view of what's happening to help you anticipate the action. It's hard at first, but becomes second nature after a while.

Here's another help: When holding your camera, place your left hand underneath the lens so that your elbow rests on your abdomen. This provides a simple tripod effect, and helps steady your lens.

To suggest much more will be overkill. You should have several games left in the season to allow you plenty of opportunities. I will let you know--having worked with countless individuals on HS sidelines over the years, it's important to have an open mind as you review your shots. There are going to be a lot of duds. Just learning to incorporate light, focus, and high action are difficult. It's part of the learning curve. You have a number of challenges just from having to shoot from the stands.

But, shoot, shoot, and then shoot some more. Don't be afraid to post some on here and ask for help. Most of us will want to help you improve. Also, the internet has numerous sites dedicated to helping you. Don't hesitate to look at the other posts in this section...some such as Jules Karney are good about tagging their settings on their shots--take note, and see if these settings will work for you. The ones I gave you above are just starting points. I can't predict actual lighting, but I can get you close.

Hopefully by season's end you will have a scrapbook full of treasured shots.

Linda—first, welcome to UHH!—several of will want to jump in and help you, but we’re going to need some additional information.

1st—will you be on the sidelines, or in the stands? If in the stands, how close to the field?

2nd—daytime, or night games?

3rd—what position does your grandson play?

4th—what is your experience level as a photographer? Obviously you just purchased this camera, but do you have a basic understanding of its various settings?

You answers will help us give some good starting points. I’m sure you’re looking forward to sharing your shots with your family.

I whole-heartily agree with your message we should be prepared for the "in a twinkling of an eye" moment, so please don't mistake me for being argumentative. Near the end of Matthew 24 (v.38) Jesus tells his disciples "no one knows the hour, not even the angels, nor the Son, but the Father only." Please know many have been led astray by false prophets who studied and came up with a wrong date. Some of these have died as a consequence of following the false prophets to their doom, while many others were convinced to sell all they had (all proceeds from the sales given to the false prophet's ministry) only to be left penniless afterwards. There are cults still in existence today as a result of these "wrong dates."

Again, not being argumentative--my only reason for the above commentary is to help you understand the importance guarding our hearts against false teaching. Somewhere in my office I still have a copy of "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be In 1988."

Here are a few from last night's game as they would have been produced in the "old days." All are available light--most stadiums in our area do not allow a flash.

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Wow...great shots. I want to move to the desert where sports are played in daylight!

Great shots! Caught at the height of action good facials on man and beast...I'm even more impressed with your skill in taming the contrast. If you're willing to share, what time of day, and did you use any HDR techniques? The detail in the 2nd horse is stunning.

I like the 2nd one also--the intensity of the "pursued, and his pursuers" is real. The first shot has great action, and is tight.

I think any of them could be entered...depending on the contest rules. If the contest is SOOC then 2 & 4 would be your best bet--IMO. If pp is allowed any of them could be cropped, dodged, edge-blurred, and vignetted to suit the judges. With pp number 2 has the most promise, with 1 (please remove the pole from the players shoulder) coming close behind--just follow jak86094's crop.

Good shots--I really like the angle you chose for the volleyball shot.

Yes, one can shoot for faces. Good timing—love the outstretched goalie.

DANG—night, and day difference. Those shots went from jr high yearbook fare to sports section worthy. I started to suggest better crops, but was concerned the noise would overtake the image. Good job! On the first shot you may want to play with the temperature some—it’s a tad warm. Gyms are famous for overwhelming yellows thanks to natural wood flooring, and wooden seating. You’ll notice the ladies don’t fade into the woodwork as much in the second shot.

I think all of us on this particular section will agree we work to do just as you suggested you do: Strive for action. Irrespective of how hard it may be, there are certain conventions that help shape the feel of the game as the action peaks. Although there will be certain exceptions, the determination/grit/struggle shown in the faces of the players is all but necessary—especially for those of us who may not know the player. Seeing the face provides a window into the player’s emotion at the moment the image was captured.

Obviously if your only audience is immediate family, then of course you know who your grandson is. He’s blessed to have a grandmother who wants to record his playing days. I believe Jules’ suggestions were to simply help, not criticize the OP.

Whoa—looked a tad more closely at your shots and realized you’re shooting the Bishop Gorman team. What a blessing. You no doubt have a number of future Hall of Famers, and potential Heisman Trophy winners among your images. Cool gig, indeed!

Good shots! Your first shot helps convey the extreme heat.

Thanks!
The rubber “bb” sprays have replaced turf divots around here. About half of the larger schools around here now have artificial surfaces.

Thanks!
I feel your pain. This game was held at one of the premier high school venues in the area, but still nothing compared to what the big boys in the metro areas play under. This week I'm going to head south about 20-miles and shoot in my hometown stadium which is a tad more typical of HS lighting since it's only a Texas AAA school. I'll post afterwards.