Goal setting

• Goal setting


  Strategy to reduce the effects of social loafing and improve cohesion
• Outcome/product goals


  Results and success-based goals (e.g. winning a trophy, finishing in the top 3)
• Task-oriented goals


  Goals focused on improvements with technique or performance, not based on winning
• Performance goals


  Goals judged against previous personal performances, to improve personal achievements
• Process goals


  Goals concerned with improvements in technique
• Goals set should include both process and performance goals to help maintain motivation
• Outcome goals as the sole focus may lead to a decrease in motivation due to potential lack of goal achievement
• Performance goals reduce competition anxiety and provide more consistent motivation
• Outcome goals provide a basis for comparison leading to increased stress, especially if the goal is not reached
• Short term goals provide a means for reassurance
• SMARTER


  Specific, Measured, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound, Evaluate, Re-do
• SMARTER principles


  • Specific
  • Measured
  • Achievable
  • Realistic
  • Time-bound
  • Evaluate
  • Re-do
• SMARTER


  • Positional and sports specific
  • Assessed with statistics or scores
  • Within reach with effort
  • Within performer ability
  • How long? Deadlines
  • Look at successes and failures
  • Re-visit the failure
• SMARTER goal examples


  • A Netball centre aiming to improve agility
  • A swimmer aiming to reduce their 50-metre freestyle time by 0.2 seconds
  • A team player aiming to increase the number of tackles made each game
  • A high jumper who can already jump 1.20m could aim for 1.25m
  • A team aiming to be in the top 4 of the league halfway through the season
  • The team did not quite make the top four at the halfway point despite excellent attacking play, because of poor defending
  • Aim to be in the top 4 at the three-quarter stage of the season, with improved defensive technique
• Goal setting can have a positive effect on performance
• Performance goals


  To improve personal standards / personal best, to avoid comparisons with others
• Outcome goals


  To achieve a better result (e.g. to win a game, finish in a certain position)