I need Nikon D3000 information?

I just received the Nikon D3000 18-55VR kit.
What are the best settings to use for soccer games, (my kids). Do I just put it on the sports setting or is there more too it.Very new to this kind of camera, so any and all info pertaining to this camera would be great.

Set the ISO to 3200, set your white balance to match the lighting (3330 Kelvin is a good starting point) and shoot with your lens wide open. At 55 mm you will not give you tight shots, even from the sidelines.

You will eventually want to get a Nikkor 55-300 mm VR lens so you can shoot up close to the action.

Here is a sample of such a shot taken with a 300 mm lens and using 3200 ISO sensor sensitivity.

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The 55-300 mm lens is two stops slower, so you will be shooting at about 1/200th second. You will have to use a monopod and shoot at the peak of action to keep subject and camera movement at a minimum.

Do NOT expect perfect images the first few times out. Shooting sports can take years to perfect, so just take your time and practice shooting at the peak of action.

Iso 3200 is nice if you're shooting at night. I don't know what it's like in the US but over here we have our little kids play soccer outdoors during daylight. At which time the sports setting will be fine until you get the hang of the basics. After that the S setting with a shutterspeed of 1/500 or more if oyu have the light, will do just fine.

You might want to start saving for an extra lens, the 55-200 VR or the new 55-300 perhaps.