Goal Setting Commitment

Features of goal setting Goal setting is an important strategy used in sport by coaches & players. Performance can be enhanced by a goal setting approach. Players who set goals usually perform better than those who do not.

Features of goal setting Goal setting is beneficial because it: allows targets to be met reduces anxiety & stress controls arousal levels provides motivation

Features cont... improves confidence allows attention to be directed to key elements of performance sustains effort regulates effort

Types of goal Outcome goals or product goals: Performance goals: concern the end result & are success based. Eg. Winning a trophy or making the play-offs Performance goals: these are judged against other performances in an attempt to improve personal performance from the last time. Eg. Ahieving a personal best time in swimming.

Types of goal cont ... Process goals: These are concerned with improvements in technique. Eg. To achieve a personal best time, a swimmer might improve her stroke technique.

Types of goal cont... Short-term goals: There are stepping-stones to longer-term aims. They provide easier routes to success & provide motivation , reinforcement & evaluation opportunities. They can be process (technique) based eg. A netball player improving her passing technique to make more ‘assists’.

Types of goal cont... Long-term goals: These provide an overview or ultimate aim & are achieved through short-term & intermediate objectives. They can be results-based.

Types of goals cont ... Example: Your L-T aim is to become national junior skating champion in 12 months time. Intermediate goal might be to learn a routine that would be awarded a high score in comp S-T goal would be mastering particular sections of the routine.

Should goals just concern winning? No! If goals are just concerned with the end result, then motivation might be lost because the performer perceives the win as too difficult to achieve. Goals should focus on personal improvement & technique & be more performance-based. In a marathon, there is only one winner but a chance for everyone to achieve a personal best.

Should goals just concern winning? Performance goals reduce anxiety in competition & provide more consistent motivation. Outcome goals focus on gaining a prize & provide a basis for comparison - they are more likely to cause stress, particularly if the prize is not gained. Short-term goals provide a means for reassurance.

Factors to consider when setting goals The SMARTER principle: According to the National Coaching Foundation, coaches & performers should ensure that goals are: Specific - to the event/skill Measurable - some form of assessment should occur to aid motivation Agreed/Accepted - btw performer & coach to provide motivation & sustain effort

Factors cont ... Realistic - within reach to promote motivation & sustain effort Time phased - S-T & L-T steps should be clearly defined, limitations should be in place Exciting - to provide enjoyment Recorded - to monitor progress

Other considerations when setting goals The difficulty of the goals: Goals just beyond the performer’s reach provide a challenge but do not present a task the performer sees as impossible. On the other hand, goals that are too easy provide no motivation. Evaluation: Measured goals give information about progress & success, & provide feedback for improvement.

Other considerations cont ... Shared decisions: Goals that are negotiated are more effective than those set externally because the performer has an input & is accountable for the outcome.