Tip of the Month - June 2020
Coach Monika Says…
Setting Performance Goals for the 2020-2021 Season
It is proper timing at this point for athletes to establish performance goals for the upcoming 2020-2021 season since sports programs are not operating at the present.
Coaches: Send Questionnaire to athletes ages 13 years and older because they are old enough to understand the specific questions (Refer to Sample provided below)
Coaches: Create Goal Questionnaire for younger/developmental athletes with components selected from Section B1-5 below
Developmental athletes select, complete, and check off what they feel needs improvement, and then consult with their coach (Refer to Sample provided below)
Older Athletes: 5-Step plan to Create Performance Goals
Example: Refer to https://www.yourswimlog.com/goal-setting-swimmers/
Setting Effective Performance Goals Involves Three Different Types
Outcome Goals
Outcome goals focus on results (winning, scoring, etc.)
They are necessary but can cause stress on competition or game day
They can act as motivators when competition or game days are still in the future
Whether to achieve these goals depends on personal effort as well as the opponent’s performance
2. Performance Goals
Performance goals are focused on achieving or improving one’s own performance objectives (i.e., sprinting time, best swim time (PB), number of goals, etc.)
They are more flexible and provide a greater sense of personal control
Focusing on these goals can be very helpful for those returning to train or compete after an injury or layoff (i.e. current virus pandemic)
3. Process Goals
Process goals focus on the actions/movements that have to be carried out to achieve a good performance
They are the best kind of goals to be thinking about on competition or game day because they relate most closely to the athlete’s best focus
They can help athletes to compete or play after an injury or concussion
Make Performance Goals Specific – Real specific
Develop the framework for success to have big, awesome, and exact goals…
Recognize what meaningful action has to be taken to achieve those goals…
Develop a plan to track your progress…
Develop a plan how to evaluate what is actually working…
A. Performance Goals: What Do I want to accomplish?
In Daily Practice/Training
In One Week
In One Month
Pre-season: What do I want or hope to accomplish?
Mid-season: How much has been accomplished?
Post-season Evaluation: What was achieved?
B. Skill Goals to Establish?
Physical Fitness – Components of Physical Literacy
Technical skills
Mental/Psychological skills
Tactical skills – depending on age (if ready)
Social Interaction skills
Selection of Skill Items:Example – Swimming
B1 – ABC+S of physical literacy (agility, static & dynamic balance, coordination, and speed), flexibility, suppleness, muscular strength, aerobic endurance, rhythm, etc.
B2a – Learning and refining Start Technique
B2b – Learning and refining stroke technique: Front Crawl Stroke (FC), Back Crawl Stroke (BK), Butterfly (FY), and Breaststroke (BR)
B2c – Learning and improving FC and BK Turn, FY and BR Turn
B3a – Learning to listen better, follow instructions and improve concentration
B3b – Learning to stay focused
B4 – Depending on age: Race strategy and Race pace of 50m, 100m, and 200m
B5 – Learn to interact and respect teammates; follow club rules; demonstrate good behaviour in training, competitions; demonstrate leadership skills (example: lead Warm-up
References:
Schloder, M.E. (2019). Supplementary Lecture Notes: Psychology of Performance. Calgary, AB: Arête Sports/www.coachingbest.com
Schloder, M.E. (2020). Psychology of Performance. Reference Manual (pp. 21-22). Ottawa, ON, Canada: National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
Schloder, M.E. (2016). Kalos Swim Team. Personal Program Planner. Calgary, AB: Arête Sports/www.coachingbest.com
Retrieved May 13, 2020, from https://getpocket.com/explore/item/goals-don-t-replace-systems-and-vice-versa?utm_source=pocket-newtab
Retrieved May 13, 2020, from https://www.yourswimlog.com/goal-setting-swimmers/