EOS 80D focus recommendations for outdoor daytime sports

[Soccer_shoot]

Hi,

I was given an old EOS 30D and purchased a Canon EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 III lens to shoot my 20yr old sons soccer games. (Only have 3 seasons experience so far). Recently the 30D died so I bought a quality 2nd hand EOS 80D that I use with the same lens.

For this setup I understand that I am limited to outdoor day photography only however am hoping someone can provide advice on the best settings, in particular the best AF zone settings to use in this environment on the 80D. My biggest frustration is trying to limit the camera auto focusing on the signage (advertising) around the border of the playing field. 

Please help!

[ebiggs1]

"... but will now try RAW and use the DPP4."

The very best thing you can do! Just a touch of post editing.

This is a good image, you should be proud of it. Keep doing this. One thing about the other example don't cut off people's heads.

"The AF setting on the 30D are much more simpler than the 80D ..."

Absolutely, so don't fix what isn't broken. Those samples are good.

[Waddizzle]

“ Exactly, that is why One Shot and single focus point is better. If the OP focus locks using One Shot it will never "slide" off the intended target. “

Using a single AF point isn’t working out. Besides, using One Shot AF creates a delay between locking focus and firing the shutter. I don’t think it would be an issue from 100 feet away.  The DOF will be over 20 feet, per the table I posted.

A small zone of a large zone of AF points seems best. Not sure why focus would slide off the subjects to the background with all points enabled.  It must have been a one off missed focus.