Baja California. Sea of Cortez
Modern DSLRs have extensive menu systems. Each new camera seems to offer more customization options, which is good for photographers. When I first buy a new camera, I know I will spend a hour just going through the menu and setting my preferences, as well as setting different functions to different controls on the camera. With the D6, I set each of three front buttons to a specific function like group area autofocus, built in level, and custom shooting settings. With my Z6II I set one of the front function buttons to turn on focus tracking. And this is just the beginning, there a many ways and options to customize the controls on your camera.
There is one control you can set to help you achieve faster autofocus, especially if you are a D850/D5/D6 user (maybe other models as well). I always use back button autofocus, it offers advantages over using the shutter button to focus. During autofocus my thumb goes from the AF-ON button to the textured toggle to the left. This toggle allows me to move my focus point in the viewfinder (and it is closer than using the larger thumb pad further down). But did you know you can set this toggle to both autofocus and move the autofocus point? In other words, your thumb never has to leave this one button for all your autofocus needs. And using one button is faster than toggling back and forth using two buttons.
Go into your menu and find the custom control window. Scroll through this menu until you show the back toggle button illuminated. Then scroll in this menu and set it for single point autofocus with autofocus on. With this set, when you push down on the toggle autofocus is engaged. When you push left, right, up and down the focus point is moved. You will notice a little difference in sensitivity for autofocus. Keep your movements separate. Push to the side to move the point; push directly in to activate autofocus. I’ve found I still like to use my AF-ON button for much of my back button autofocus. But when I am focusing quickly with fast moving subjects, I use the toggle button to do both functions.