action shots using the 7d

Hello all,
Im new here and although ive searched the forums, i cant quite understand how to get good action shots using the 7d - i have a ctually found a lot on the subject, but the posts seem to be geared toward more advanced users, where as i am a total noob

what i`m looking for is a basic bones step by step tutorial on how to get decent action shots for amateurs. the ones i take tend to be very blurry, or the background is crisp while the main element im trying to focus on is out of focus. for example,do i use M, AV,TV,P? or should i have a custom setting all set up for this knd of thing (i guess that would be easier)

the lense i have at the moment is s sigma dc with a stabiliser, 18-200mm, 1.3.5-6.3, and i`m trying to get some clear shots of the kids bouncing around on the trampoline.

if anyone could give me some pointers i would be very grateful.
here is a top view with the various descriptions that i found on the net:

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To make a crisp photo of the bouncing kid (or any other quickly moving object, running dogs, etc.) you need a fast shutter speed (1/500 or faster). With your lens, this requires full sunlight.
I will start in Av mode (Mode dial), and set 6.3-8.0 with Main dial (you can check the setting in the top of the Monochrome LCD. Then point to the subject, and half press the shutter. The 7D meters the light, and calculates the shutter speed. You can check the shutter speed in the bottom of the Viewfinder, or the top of the Monochrome LCD (you need 500, 640, 800, 1000, or bigger).
For fast moving objects you need AI servo focus. Press the AF/Drive button, and with Main dial select AI servo (check this on Monochrome LCD).
Switch off the stabilizer on the lens. Because fast shutter speed, you don't need a stabilizer, and it prevents to properly follow the subject.
Set the center focus point, or center area. Half press the Shutter, the press the AF point selection button. Look to the Viewfinder, and press the M-Fn button. You can see the active focus points (One point - One point focus, Group of point - Group focus, Only a frame - all focus point (default)). In All focus point mode the 7D select the focus object. With one point mode, You select the object.
Point to the bouncing kid. Half press the shutter, and follow the kid with the focus point. Let 0.5-1 sec to 7D to follow the kid. Full press the shutter, make the picture.
You can select burst mode to make picture series. Press the AF/Drive button, and with Quick control dial select High speed or Slow speed burst mode You can check it in the bottom right corner of the monochrome LCD.
I hope it helps. Don't give up. The 7D is an amazing camera.

Hold the bus...

You need some understanding of the basics of photography

Read this https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=414088
and get yourself a copy of the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Petersen

Thank you both for your replies,

philwillmedia is of course correct and i will read up on the basics of photography as soon as i have some time, but as of now i am on holiday and had decided to buy a 7d just before i left, hence my noobishness..
RAW.hu, thanks for the excellent tutorial, as soon as i get back from spending half a day fishing with nothing to show for it other than a sunburned forehead and several lost hooks, i will give it a try and post the results of my feeble efforts

thanks again guys.

steve

ok here is my first attempt with the settings posted by RAW.hu , the contrast is a bit weird i guess but thats another thing o`ll have to learn.

http://media-hunter.com/test1.jpg

If you followed his suggestions, they obviously work.
I would have done it a bit differently.

First, the shutter speed is the important thing here. That's what will determine if you get any motion blur or not. I'd use Tv or M mode, so I can set the shutter speed the way I want. Using Av mode with the largest aperture will give you whatever shutter speed the camera will find appropriate.
By using Tv and Auto ISO, the camera will use the shutter speed you decide and the largest aperture the lens has, unless there's enough light to select something else. In some cases, taking photos of someone bouncing around, M mode is easier to use, since the metering may give varying results, when you want the same exposure all the time.

If the kid isn't moving very much towards or away from you, then using One Shot AF may be more reliable. Once you've locked the correct focus, it doesn't matter if you can't track your kid bouncing around. But if the moves not only up and down, but also back and forth, Servo AF could very well be necessary. If you can't manage to keep one selected AF point on him, you can either expand the AF coverage (single point expansion or zone AF) or use C.Fn III-1 set to something slower than default. If you are using something else than single point AF, then C.Fn III-3-1 may also be appropriate, if there are obstacles that may come in front of the jumper, like safety nets.

It's not true that the 7D selects what to focus on when using all AF points in Servo AF. It will in One Shot AF, and will then select whatever is closest that has enough contrast. But in Servo AF you select which point to start with, and the camera will then try to track the subject with all the other points as well, if the primary point looses track. C.Fn III-10-0 will allow you to see a continuous update of what the camera is tracking.

Finally, hold the camera straight. There's enough action in a picture like the one you show not to have to force the people looking at it twist their necks while doing it. Such tricks work better for statues or other boring things.