The importance of goal setting for athletes
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 approach
SMART is a well-established tool that you can use to plan and achieve your 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
Value of setting goals
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.
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.
Whether your use of Metrifit is to have a highly accurate reflection of acute to chronic work-load ratios to make training/competition decisions, to empower student-athletes to be reflective and take charge of their Health & Wellness, or as a basis to engage in conversation with your Student-Athletes thereby demonstrating you care about them as individuals, Metrifit simply works. It meets kids where they reside – on their mobile phones and through technology and is quick, easy, and habit-forming to use.
Why not have a look at our Metrifit Ready to Perform product and gain insight on the physical and mental state of your athletes through our daily wellbeing questionnaire? To find out more visit our Metrifit Product Overview page or contact at for a free demo. You can also register your team and use Metrifit for 14 days for free.
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References
Why Goal Setting is Important by Kelly Bourne
Goal Setting by David Harrison
Principles of Effective Goal Setting by Eva V. Monsma, Ph.D.
Goal setting can give athletes an extra edge | Metrifit
Goals, goals and more goals – goal setting and other sport psychology techniques | Metrifit
Keeping young athletes motivated using achievement goal theory | Metrifit
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