Goal Setting

Goal Setting in Sports 1

Running Head : GOAL SETTING IN SPORTS

Goal Setting in Sports

Goal Setting in Sports 2

Managements and organizational environments have benefited considerably from the process of goal setting . Researches have demonstrated that specific , challenging and self-made goals have more positive effect on performance than do easy goals , no goals or just do your best ' goals (Locke and Latham , 1990 as cited by Mellalieu , Hanton and O 'brien 2006 . The success of goal-setting principles has been extended to the field of competitive sports as well . In fact

, Olympic athletes have rated goal setting as the most effective strategy in enhancing performance (Weinberg , Burton , Yukelson Weigand , 2000 as cited in Goal Setting , 2007 . Furthermore , in an experiment involving female basketball players , results have shown that 90 of the subjects increased their free throw percentage with the use of goal setting (Lerner , 1996 as cited in Goal Setting , 2007

When coaching a sports team , the goal setting process can be an effective way of motivating your players and thus improving their performance . Before introducing the goal setting process , it is best to discuss with the players the benefits of such strategy . These benefits include improving the quality of practice , focusing attention on a specific skill , motivating and relieving boredom and enhancing self-confidence (Frank , 2001 . The actual goal setting process can then be introduced in three steps : 1 ) the formulation of a goal statement , 2 determination of obstacles to achieving the goals and 3 ) devising a positive action plan to overcome these obstacles and thus , achieving the goals

Goal Statement

The first step in goal setting is identifying your goals . As a coach it is important that you facilitate the goal setting process and let the team determine their goals for themselves (and for the team ) and not impose your own goal for the team . Making the athletes write down their goals is helpful as they will be able to see them in a concrete objective way (Dalloway , 2000

Goal Setting in Sports 3

It is vital that a coach demonstrate clearly how goal formulation is done . First , the use of a high-impact language has to be emphasized Goals have to be stated in the athletes ' own words but with a punch (Dalloway , 2000 . Statements that are qualifying or hesitant have to be avoided and instead replaced with more forceful declaration . Thus , I will run a 2 :40 in the Fiesta Bowl this year ' is more powerful than I would like to participate in a marathon race this year ' Next , goals have to be specific . I will swim faster ' does not paint a clear picture of what you want to do whereas I will swim 25 seconds in 50 m freestyle ' creates a clear mental picture of what you want to achieve Besides , more specific goals are easier to assess and measure . Also avoid the negative . Negative statements may act as a hindrance and could actually create a picture of the negative situation (Dalloway 2000 . A gymnast who says...