Goal Setting in Sports Performance

• Goals are targets that are set for people to work towards. When used correctly they can aid motivation, determination, focus, decrease anxiety and ultimately aid performance.
• A product goal is a goal concerning an outcome or end result.
• A performance goal is a goal that aims to improve a personal best, or concerning improving your own performance or achieving a specific standard that can be achieved idependent of anyone else.
• A process goal is a goal concerning strategy, skill, technique or tactics.
• Goal setting aids attentional focus.
• Goals keep performers persistent on tasks.
• Goal setting raises confidence and self efficacy.
• Goals allow control of arousal and anxiety.
• Goals allow progress to be monitored.
• Goals aid performers to develop strategies.
• Specific implies goals should indicate clealry what is to be achieved and the criteria for doing it well and also be directly linked to the activity the goal is for.
• Measureable imples goals should be quantifiable in terms of a time or score in order to analyse performance.
• Achievable implies goals shouldn't be too easy or too hard, they should be challenging yet realistic for the person or group for whom they have set it. Age, ability and confidence should be taken into consideration.
• Recorded implies goals should be written down and ticked off when achieved.
• Time phased implies goals should be given a time frame.
• Goals that are set through negotiation and agreement between coach and performer are most effective as there is ownership which enhances motivation.