Nikon 50mm f1.4 question

[97Premiers]

First time poster on this forum and impressed with the level of expertise and assistance. I recently bought the NIKON 50mm f1.4 lens specifically for taking photos in low light situations eg indoor sports and theatre. I am currently experimenting with the lens shooting primarily on A on my D80. I find stepping down to 4 or 5 pretty good with an ISO rating of 800 but here is my question:
What would be the best settings for indoor sports like basketball? Yet to use it in the theatre setting but any suggestions and advice most welcome.

[Anthony Reiss]

This is what I would do in basketball: Get the most powerfull flash (SB800 or a Metz), pre-focus the action distance under the ring, set to M mode, set to manual focus (on body), then position yourself under the board if permitted. Set to high speed frame burst. The D80 will be too slow to AF the action and all shots will be off. Use manual and set the pre exposure. The continous FPS will be faster in manual mode.
50mm in a theater? All you will get is half of the crowd and half of the stage! Use 200mm or 300mm with ISO cranked way up. Use a monopod.
Cheers!

[Franglais]

The 50mm would be useful in a theatre as long as you are right next to the stage (i.e. in the orchestra pit). If I'm in the crowd two rows back then a 80-200 f2.8 is useful, as long as the ISO is turned right up to 3200 or more.