Goal Setting

Question 1

Benefits of goal setting

Answer 1

Improved performance
Motivation/persistence
Increase confidence

Question 2

Explain the SMART principle

Answer 2

• S - specific - can be physical/skill based, identifies an area of the skill to improve. E.g. improve msft by 2 levels
• M - measurable - goal must be quantifiable. E.g. improved left foot pass success rate
• A - achievable - goal must be realistic, must allow for current progress and ability. E.g. 1cm increase sit + reach in 5 weeks
• R - recorded - goals must be written down. E.g. performer uses a training diary
• T - time phased - clear time to achieve goal. E.g. I want to achieve this goal in the next 5 weeks

Question 3

Types of goals (time periods, and what they’re used for)

Answer 3

• Short-term - roughly up to a week, used to increase confidence
• Medium-term - training cycle, used for motivation
• long-term - season/olympic cycle, challenge to aim for

Question 4

Types of goals (focus)

Answer 4

Outcome - result (binary)
Process - technique or tactics
Performance - measured against previous performances e.g. pb

Question 5

Goal setting + stage of learning

Answer 5

Difficulty:
• Cognitive - simple goals to increase motivation
• autonomous - complex and challenging goal - focus on an aspect of a skill
Focus:
• cognitive - process and outcome
• autonomous - mostly outcome but also process and performance
Time period:
• cognitive - short term
• autonomous - long term + medium term (+ short term)
Who sets goals?:
• cognitive - coach
• autonomous - performer
Measurement and testing:
• cognitive - informal/subjective
• autonomous - formal