tdekany Loc: Oregon

The newer the processor the faster your camera is going to be.

The faster shutter speed is better when there is lots of light.

But most importantly, you have to be the missing link that improves your plctures. Like what was suggested above. Make sure your photos are level. No matter how good of a setup one uses, a tilted shot looks very amateurish.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I know you didn't list this camera as a choice, but you might want to consider a reconditioned 7dMII, since you shoot so much sports photography, due to its 10fps burst rate.

DelRae Loc: Oregon

DelRae Loc: Oregon

thank you wow beautiful pictures the camera I was thinking about was 77D and 80D

DelRae Loc: Oregon

thank you I like your pictures

DelRae Loc: Oregon

thank you for that site

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

there areany number of forums regarding sports photos. google is your friend

DelRae Loc: Oregon

2. 16xAPS-C for 80D or APS -C Image Sensor for 77D ????
Are you referring to the 1.6 crop factor? ( YES )

DelRae Loc: Oregon

traderjohn Loc: New York City

My father in law was always fond of saying; "It's a poor workman who blames his tools"

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

The lens is the most important element in the quality of an image. And you've already got that. As others have said, take plenty, cull ruthlessly and learn from mistakes (perhaps at this stage mistakes is the not the right word). So learn from the ones you like most, then the bad ones will be mistakes.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The 77D has a 24mp sensor and 45 AF points with DPAF (The best AF system available in any brand) and 6 fps. The 80D has the same 24mp sensor with 45 AF points also DPAF at 7fps so a little faster. Bothe are excellent cameras for what you want to do. The 80D is built body wise a bit more rugged. Both have WiFi which is good and works well.
If it is in the budget the 7D MII would be much better for the action shooting you are doing as it was designed with that type of shooting in mind. The sensor is 20mp so a bit less in mp but enough for great poster size prints. It has 65 AF points, DPAF as well. It shoots at 10fps and is designed for action. Get the WiFi version. It uses dual Digic 6 processors for better operation than single processors The 1DX MII uses 2 as well.
The Digic 6 is an older processor than the Digic 7. The newer the processor generally you get a better photo but from one generation to the next as this is it is not a lot of difference.
Between the 80D and 77D I would go with the 80D at this time for the more rugged build quality. But outside of that in real world use there is not a lot of difference as you will determine how good the photos will come out.
The 77D and 80D and 7D MII are all APSC sensors. That is the size of the sensor which is smaller than the FF sensor which is the same as 35mm film cameras, see attached.

(Download)

Shutterbug57

For more reach you can:
- (affordable) use a 1.4 teleconverter. This will cost you a stop, but give you reach
- (pricey, but sexy) pony up for a 400mm f/2.8 lens - great lens, but pricey and has a learning curve

Also, and I don’t mean this in a Smart Alec sense, but find a better vantage point. Your image has houses in the background. I get this is a HS field, but does the home side at least have bleachers that would look more like a sporting venue and would have, hopefully, at least a few spectators.

Finally, and this is just reality, if you want better shots, shoot better players. Great shots of HS players are still HS players playing at that level in HS venues. At college and pro levels, the venues are better, the action is better & the lighting is better. Like you, I shot my kids sports from little league through HS. Night field sports and poorly lit gyms with a D200 were doable, but man, was it easier when playoffs were at D1 college fields and gyms that were lit for TV.

Do your best with what you have. From the shot you posted, perspective seems to be the easiest way to improve your shots.

anotherview Loc: California

Yes, "take a lot of pictures" and "learn from your mistakes." But learn from your successes, too. After all, because a craft, photography requires much practice to learn its ins-and-outs over time.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

For sports/action shots ... why not look at a used or refurbished 7D MII, designed for action shots. It and the 70 -200 are an unbeatable pair. One other suggestion, but it will cost dollars, might be a longer focal length lense. I have the 7D MII, 5D MIII and the same lens.
Mark