There is a way to simplify manual focus which seems not to be well-documented in the manual. (I've only used it a couple of times, but I think this is how it works.) As Yooper2 suggested, focus on something close to the point you want in focus, something that's solid, say a mountain or tree line rather than the sky. Press the shutter button half way and, without releasing it, simultaneously press the left arrow button, the one with the flower ikon and the letters MF. Under ordinary circumstances, you use the button to toggle between the Macro, Normal, and Manual Focus modes, but if you're also pressing the shutter half way at the same time, it locks in as Manual the focus values that the camera has just achieved by auto focus. If need be, you can refine the focus with the up-down buttons or by turning the control dial.

As such, it's similar to the asterisk button on the back of a Canon dSLR if you're familiar with that option. It seems to be a way to enable something akin to Back-Button Focusing, since the camera holds that focal value for subsequent shots. That would make it also valuable for certain kinds of sporting events, such as races--whether of cars, bikes, or people. Set the focus on a specific point--a hurdle, say, or a finish line, or a turn in the track where you know drama is likely to occur, and (I'm assuming a tripod here) you're pre-focused when the action occurs. When you've finished, press the left button again and switch back from Manual to Normal focus mode. Warning: if you enter Review mode to check the photos, the camera exits Manual Focus mode and reverts to Normal, so you have to be disciplined and not chimp, or you lose the manual setting.