The importance of goal setting for athletes

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Goal Setting

 
When it comes to the fine margins between success and failure at elite sport level, it is acknowledged that psychology has a huge part to play. The mental side of sport is now seen as being just as important as the physical side and research has illustrated that goal setting is one of the most effective tools when it comes to providing athletes with a psychological edge. The value of goal setting is encapsulated by David Harrison when he wrote:

Goal setting is an extremely powerful technique for enhancing performance so it is one of the most important strategies you can implement for success in any environment. Goal setting helps to focus attention and it is critical to maintain and enhance motivation. Goal setting gives direction both in the short term and the long term and you can see success as you achieve your short term goals.

What is goal setting?

Essentially goal setting is a mental training technique that can be used to increase an individual’s commitment towards achieving a personal goal and this can be separated into short, medium and long term goals. These goals can be broken down into three categories:-

  • Outcome goals
  • Performance goals
  • Process goals

Outcome goals deal with specific results in competition, while performance goals deal with helping an athlete make improvements over a period of time. Process goals are the aspects a competitor should be concentrating on when carrying out a specific skill.

The SMART Goals approach

SMART is a well-established tool that you can use to plan and achieve your goals.

SMART goals

In order to get the best out of the goal setting strategy, many athletes and coaches follow the SMART approach as outlined by Kelly Bourne in Why Goal Setting is Important. Using a football example the article highlights how athletes can benefit from an approach that is

Specific,
Measurable,
Attainable,
Realistic and
Time based

This SMART acronym aims to break down five key aspects to achieving goals. This is to help ensure all areas are focused on the individual making them effective.

  • Specific – A defensive player to win over 90% of their challenges throughout a 90-minute match. An attacking player to make 10-15 runs or attempts on goal throughout a 90-minute match
  • Measurable – How many goals/assists scored throughout the season, How many saves or challenges a GK or defender has made
  • Attainable – Ensuring the goal which is set for the athlete is attainable/achievable, starting with small tasks which are achievable to help gain confidence in the process and then start to make larger goals
  • Realistic – This is key and very important to discuss with the athlete individually. Each athlete is different and has varied strengths and weaknesses in different areas. The athlete will need to decide which on these goals and agree that they are realistic targets set for themselves to achieve
  • Time based – Goals should be set for a time period of a season, but you can set smaller time frames within that specific to the athlete. Again athletes are individual, so some may prefer every month, or others could possibly do it over a three-month period

How goal setting improves performance

The advantage of goal setting is that it helps boost performance levels by achieving targets or as Kelly Bourne points out:

The main aim of goal setting focuses on increasing individuals’ motivational levels to achieve success by directing attention and applying energy levels into achieving the overall goal

However, a cautionary note, there can be drawbacks to goal setting and these should be addressed as early as possible in the process. Athletes often don’t see the value in setting goals, consider them boring and taking up too much time. They can also set themselves the wrong types of goals and fail before they even start. Education is key to the process. Ultimately it is worth the effort to overcome these obstacles and coaches should highlight the value of goal setting for athletes to help them achieve optimal performance.

Goal setting can be one of the most important skills to teach athletes in order to help them optimize their performance. It can help them focus on what is important and give them a sense of control and positive self-direction. SMART goals can help athletes gain confidence and believe in their ability to succeed. Goal setting can improve performance, influence motivation, and help athletes reach their potential.

What is Metrifit?

Metrifit helps coaches get to know their athletes, and helps athletes get ready to perform. It is a simple, intuitive and effective approach to monitoring looking at how the ‘small picture’ of an athlete’s daily habits, shapes the ‘big picture’ of match day performance.
Metrifit’s athlete monitoring and well-being software is used world-wide in team environments in Universities, High Schools, National Associations and with professional and amateur teams across many sports. Our new lifestyle profiling functionality is based on years of experience in this area – we know the key factors that underlie optimal performance. This is available for coaches and teams but also for individual athletes. It provides an essential baseline to assess where you are, and set goals and objectives to improve in key areas that ultimately will improve your performance.
Lifestyle Profiling
To find out more contact us at info@metrifit.com or click on ‘Request Demo’ below.

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Metrifit Athlete Monitoring System
"Metrifit is an integral part of the set up within the senior and intermediate inter-county Camogie.  The data collected daily on the individual players is critical to the decision making of the backroom team including, managers, trainers, selectors, physiotherapist and indeed myself. As a nutritionist it allows me to monitor the quality of the player’s diet, energy levels, sleep pattern and overall wellbeing."

Yvonne Treacy

Nutritionist, Wexford Camogie

Metrifit Athlete Monitoring System
2017-06-13T16:38:55+01:00

Yvonne Treacy

Nutritionist, Wexford Camogie

"Metrifit is an integral part of the set up within the senior and intermediate inter-county Camogie.  The data collected daily on the individual players is critical to the decision making of the backroom team including, managers, trainers, selectors, physiotherapist and indeed myself. As a nutritionist it allows me to monitor the quality of the player’s diet, energy levels, sleep pattern and overall wellbeing."

References

Why Goal Setting is Important by Kelly Bourne

Goal Setting in Sport and Exercise: A Research Synthesis to Resolve the Controversy by L. Blaine Kyllo and Daniel M. Lander

The Application of Goal Setting to Sports by Edwin A. Locke University of Maryland Gary P. Latham University of Washington

Goal setting helps athletes perform – an excerpt from Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Psychology by Alan Kornspan

Goal Setting by David Harrison

Principles of Effective Goal Setting by Eva V. Monsma, Ph.D.if

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