When shooting fast moving subjects as they are moving toward the camera, like my cocker spaniel, Teddy, use the AI Servo function on the camera. This will track the subject and, hopefully, keep it in focus. At the same time, shoot with the highest frame rate your camera is capable of. This gives you a better than average chance of getting a good picture that's sharp.
The effectiveness of AI servo functions varies depending on the make and model of your camera. Newer cameras are quite good, but still there is no guarantee that if the subject is moving very quickly, it will be sharp when the shutter is tripped. For example, the Canon 5D Mark II's AI servo is less than impressive. I rarely got a sharp picture with it. But the 5D Mark III is vastly improved, and I have a lot more confidence that I can track the movement of birds, wildlife, and even children running at the camera.
The settings for this picture were 1/1000th of a second, f/5.6, 640 ISO, and a 300mm telephoto lens.
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