Goal Setting For Better Soccer Team Performance!
Having goals can increase effort because the players have a means of measuring their performance and contribution against.
SMART goals have long lasting motivation benefits.
When you review performance against set goals and the player has shown an improvement, raise the bar a little higher. Each time the player will be motivated to achieve a new level of performance providing the incremental increase is still within grasp.
If you've not been overly exposed to SMART goal setting then let's run through what we mean by SMART goals and how we can use them with our players.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Action based, Realistic & Time bound.
SPECIFIC
The more specific a goal is the easier it is to identify when and whether its been achieved. The goal should be a detailed description of what the required outcome is that both player and coach want to see happen.
MEASURABLE
Unless a goal is measurable, how can you establish whether there has been an improvement or not?
Goals should be measurable in terms of quality, quantity, shots, tackles, runs and saves. When players can see they have made progress towards achieving the goal the motivational benefits really kick in.
A baseline starting point should be established and the goal set from the baseline measurement. From this baseline, and having the target, players can measure how far they have come.
ACTION BASED
A player must know exactly what they've got to do. That means you will both have to agree a set of actions that will help the player achieve their goal.
For example, an action based element could read like this... "I will increase the accuracy of my crossing from corner kicks putting the ball into the box on no less than 8 out of 10 occasions."
REALISTIC
Goal have got to be within the reach of the soccer players.
That's not to say that you are going to set "soft targets". Targets that are so within reach that the players aren't motivated to stretch themselves because its too easy.
However, setting realistic goals is a tough balance, make them too easy and the players won't try, make them too hard and the players will give up quickly because they don't believe they can do what it takes.
TIMEBOUND
It is very important to set definitive time limits for each of the players goals. Remember too, that you should build in regular reviews with the players to assess their progress and revise the goals that they have.
Have a go....
Get yourself some paper and a pen and write down a high level goal that you want your team to achieve following the SMART goal setting principles.
Remember, keep them SMART!
Related Tags: junior soccer, youth soccer, coaching soccer, kids football, junior football, soccer training, youth football
Claim your complimentary copy of the 'Soccer Coaching Guide' provided by Junior Soccer Coach and receive hints, tips and techniques to improve your team’s performance AND your expertise as a coach. Grab your copy now, visit the website today… Junior and Youth Soccer Coaching Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Canadiens Early Season Struggles
Inconsistency has reared its ugly head once again. After a shutout loss to the lowly New Jersey Devi - Mens Magazine in the Toronto Market
Magazines are wonderful things. They are able to explore their particular area of interest in more d - They Won the Lottery But Then Lost it All
We all dream about winning the lottery and every time we watch those balls spin we think about what - Manchester City Imploding
Life changed for Manchester City fans the minute their club was taken over by the ultra wealthy Oil - Different Types of Sports Water Bottle
If you are an athlete and there is a competition the next day, there are a lot of things to prepare. - Poker Supplies a Person Needs to Play
There are a lot of people all over the world that enjoy playing poker on a regular basis. There are - Data on NCAA Football 11 (XBox)
EA Sports has always been the pinnacle for sports video games. The Madden franchise for NFL football - World Golf Amateur Team Championship 2012
Golf is said to be the game of nobles. Over a period of time, the game has developed into a craze fo - Will "The Decision" Yield the Result? Lakers, Heat Seen as Likely Finalists
By far the biggest moment in the NBA offseason was the hour-long ESPN special in which LeBron James - The Evolution of the Game: Table Tennis
Table tennis was probably derived from the game "Royal Tennis," a popular diversion during medieval
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Rainbow, Brown And Brook Trout
Maine fishing has Rainbow, Brown, and Brook trout. Trout are an important part of fishing tradition. - Gymnastics Floor Music
Over the last decade or two, gymnastics as a sport has undergone considerable changes in the way it - Texas Holdem Blinds - Understanding Blinds In Texas Hold'em Poker
Posting blinds is a very important aspect of the betting structure of Texas Hold'em poker. It keeps - Indoor Mobility Scooters
Mobility scooters exclusively provide assistance to physically disabled people, who don't necessaril - Texas Holdem Tournament - Learn How To Run A Texas Hold'em Tournament
Texas Hold'em is a popular game, so next time you consider hosting a social function at your house w - The Nfl Channel And The Controversy Surrounding It
If you watch TV, and especially if you are a loyal spectator of the NFL Channel, you might have hear - Texas Holdem - How To Become Better At Texas Hold'em Poker
If you know the rules, if you know the game, if you know the odds, chances are you'll do well at pok - Essential Boxing Equipment For Every Boxer
When you are training to become a boxer there are a few very important pieces of boxing equipment th - Some Advice On How To Stay Motivated To Run
Staying Motivated to Run Do you have a hard time staying motivated to run? There are a lot of thing - NCAA: Three Good Coaches
There are coaches in each and every type of sport out there, and many of them are good at what they