1.  Use a Fast Shutter Speed

I like to have a shutter speed of 1/1000 second or faster for shooting action.

2.  Use continuous auto-focus and back button focusing

3.  Tap the AF button instead of holding it down continuously.

Many cameras will auto-focus better if you tap the AF button repeatedly during the action sequence rather than holding it down the whole time.

4.  Use the center auto-focus point

I like to use the center auto-focus point and then crop the image later for the composition I want.

5.  Use any custom settings available for tracking action.

Check out my post on optimizing your camera for shooting birds in flight.

Here are some more images from this shoot.