For a given "series" of shots in the same light, find, using the
histogram and the monitor, the correct _manual_ exposure for the set.
Shoot all the images at that setting.  This is a key part of getting
consistent exposure.  OTOH, the D80 has pretty good RGB 3D metering
system so it can set exp. on the fly quite well.  You won't get
perfectly consistent color frame to frame however as the exp. changes
slightly.

For the histogram take test shots adjusting speed and aperture to get
the histogram to the right without creating "spikes" on the right edge
of the histo.

Record RAW.

Use a higher ISO (400) to give you more combinations of speed and aperture.

(For action, be a bit generous with DOF, say f/8 to give you or your AF
a bit more tolerance.  Shooting wide open gives you less focus tolerance).

I don't know the D80 but I suspect it has a continuous AF mode.  These
modes typically are a bit predictive so if the action focus is moving
towards (or away from) you it will account for the shutter lag (eg: if
the shutter lag is 60 ms, it will use the continuing change in focus to
adjust for the actual release time.)

Spot focus would be useful if you keep the action centered.  This is not
"composition" friendly but for action shooting you can "re-compose" in
photoshop after you have the shot.  You can also use the larger area AF
sensors but you might get some frames that are not focused where you
want them.

Experiment.  Have fun.

(Note: you can use flash too at about 1 - 1.5 stops under as a fill
light in bright conditions to tame the contrast).