Need Pope advice....

[cohoho]

I like the cheer leader ones better!!

[DesertBighorn]

What Shawn said.  I would add, since it sounds like this is Canon gear, to program AF to the * button.  You can then use your thumb to start AF tracking in AI Servo mode and use the shutter to fire away.  Then you won't have a problem firing, then relocking AF with the halfway shutter action, then firing.  You'll miss some shots that way. 

You'll be able to hold down the * and track with AF through the whole sequence. 

Some soccer examples here:
http://www.desertbighorn.smugmug.com/2008%20Rain%20Soccer
http://www.desertbighorn.smugmug.com/2008%20LW%20C%20Team%20Girls%20Soccer

-Doug