There isn’t one universal setting: it depends on whether you want to freeze action or show motion. For sharp field-sport images, prioritize shutter speed first.

A practical approach is:

• Use a fast shutter speed to freeze players.
• In good light, shoot about one stop down from wide open if your lens allows it.
• Don’t usually stop down beyond about f/5.6 unless you have a specific reason.

With telephoto lenses, you often already get enough subject isolation, so very deep depth of field usually isn’t necessary. At moderate distances, around f/5.6 to f/8 can give workable depth of field, but if you’re close to the action, depth of field gets very thin and focus becomes harder.

In poor light, the usual compromise is to keep shutter speed high, open the aperture wider, and raise ISO rather than letting shutter speed get too slow. Under artificial light, many sports shooters use the lens wide open because light is limited.

Also consider positioning: if players move directly toward you rather than quickly across the frame, motion is often easier to manage.