Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

It definitely was a game-changer for me with my previous camera. Not so much with the one I use now.
There are differences with the way the back-button is used: For some cameras, I believe, you have to keep the button depressed while also pressing the shutter release button. And keep the back button depressed for subsequent photos you want the same focus for.
For my camera, I focused with the back button, then took as many pictures at that focus as wanted/needed while the back button focus remained the same till I deliberately changed or released it.
One example I've used here in the forum a number of times: I'd have the camera settings so that the trampoline where the kids were playing, was totally in focus (depth of field), then pressed the back button. After that I could just sit there and only had to press the shutter release button to take the next photo, and the next, and the next. No more missed photos waiting for the camera to hunt to get the correct focus!
Now, you don't say what camera you use. If you tell us, there may be some camera-specific advice coming your way...

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

I used BBF on every Nikon I have owned and now on the Canon 1DX. Steve Perry has a great youtube video on how and why you use this setup. Once you get use to it, you will never go back to conventional ways. Good luck and great shooting!

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

So you have gotten a lot of good advice already but no one has asked what I think might be an important question before giving advice. What exactly is the problem you are having with back button focusing?

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Totally agree. I've been using it for years now and would never go back. Definitely worth the time and effort to learn.

DavidJon Loc: Ada, Oklahoma

I switched to BBF on my Nikon after watching Steve Perry's video. It did feel a little awkward at first and took getting used to but now it's second nature. BBF is the next best thing to sliced bread. Thanks, Steve.

philo Loc: philo, ca

I think the main problem is that for an important shoot you have to remember that you are using bbf, you can't get into you normal zone mode. i.e. sports or moving subject. I will stay with it.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I love BBF on my cameras (Nikon D610 and D7100). The wife hates it because she never remembers to press it to focus when she uses my cameras. I like it because I can focus once and not worry about the camera holding that focus point if I adjust the framing of the picture (yes I can do it by holding the shutter halfway down and moving the camera but that is only a partial fix and once I take the photo and then release the shutter, it looses or changes focus so I have to redo) with BBF, I focus and it says at that point until I press the bbf button again.

philo Loc: philo, ca

remembering to use it. when i have to take a lot of shots and changing focus point I can't always tell that I'm out of focus.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I am not sure about whether there are cameras that require the BBF to be kept depressed while pressing the shutter button every time. But for me [Nikon user], the whole point of it is to get the focus, release the button to lock in that focus, then take as many photos as I want [usually from a tripod] without the focus changing! However, if I want to photograph a moving subject, following it with the camera, the BBF is kept depressed while shooting so that the focus will keep changing according to the subject's distance from the camera. [This also requires having settings in the camera selected for continuous AF.]

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I have my 7D MII set for BBF. I shoot ice hockey and football action and it makes life s lot easier. I believe that BBF wouldn't make that much difference if shooting a stationary subject, moving subjects yes sir. I press the button that I have set for BBF and can follow the action with having to refocus when the subject moves. Took a while to get use to but now I wouldn't should sports any other way. Live view I never used so far....for me easier to just use the view finder.

haze63 Loc: Tiffin Ohio

I am new here too. I just got my first DSLR camera in November of last year and found it very awkward to use back button focus too. But now find it more useful and will never go back. Got my info off Steve Perry also.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I tried it, didn't like it. I simply take my exposure, press the shutter release 1/2 way to lock the focus and then all the way to take the photograph. I should suspect it comes down to each his own.
--Bob

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Everybody is right about Steve's video and book. He explains bbf so it is easy to understand.

jrconcours Loc: Ocean View, DE

Go to photographer steve perry on you tube who does a great job explaining it.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

That is a problem! Watching all the videos in the world will not help with that only practice will. Hang in there with a little practice it will become automatic. But you do need to practice. As far as changing the focus point. I use a single point and very rarely move it from shot to shot. If I am shooting sports for example I put it where I want my subject captured. For most sports it is usually one point down from the top and one or two points to the left and lock it in that usually keeps my subject off center using the rule of thirds. Then I use afc on nikon and keep that dot on what ever I want to capture and hold the focus button down and let the auto focus do the work. You can also try using a group of points but keep the number of points low like 5 or 9 never more. Definately watch Steve Perry's videos. He does a great job of explaining the how's and why's as well as the different techniques. I refer to them often, kind of like a batter going into a batting cage to work on their hitting. I promise you if you stick with it and practice you will never want to go back once you get it. And like learning to ride a bike once you "get it" it will be second nature. Good Luck!