goal setting

• why are goals set:

  • check progress against targets
  • evaluate performance
  • gain confidence
  • increase motivation to achive
  • to gain direction
• performance goals:

  • personal standards to be achieved
  • no comparison with other performers
  • focus on improving personal performance
  • more motivational than outcome goals
  • examples:
  • 200m sprinter trying to beat PB
  • changing run-up technique for penalty
• outcome goals:

  • focus on end result - winning a match
  • used more by advanced players
  • have performance goals already to motivate them to achieve desired result
  • do not always have control over outcome - rely on uncontrollable factors e.g input from others
• beginners:

  • prefer performance goals
  • cannot control other factors e.g how other players will perform
  • avoid outcome goals as failure may demotivate them
  • winning may be unrealistic goal
  • focus on improving performance rather than comparing to others
• elites:

  • prefer outcome goals - all about winning
  • outcome goals such as trophies may increase motivation
  • may use performance goals to increase aspects of performance
• SMART targets:

  • S - specific to demands of sport
  • M - measurable, need to be measured whether they have been set
  • A - accepted by performer and coach
  • R - realistic, able to be completed
  • T- timebound, set over fixed period of time