Psychological influences Goals setting and targets

Goals and Targets

Types of Goals

Task-orientated goal

Goals are concerned with improvement in technique or performance and are not focused on others.

An athlete could improve their PB but come last in a competition - however they have met their goal because there has been an improvement in performance

Outcome goals

Focused on end result/success based

" A goal set against the performance of others and based on a result"

These are hard to control because they depend on external factors and other competitors also the performer may not be concerned with their technique or the manner in which they win

Often medium to long term goals

eg; i want to win the 100m olympic final

Process Goals

Process goals are concerned with improvement in technique / tactics

A performer might focus on improving these technical aspects in training.

The process goal will form a base for improved performance as better technique will likely lead to improved performance

Performance goals

A goal based on prior achievement and plans for the future, not based on other peoples achievements.

" Personal standard to be achieved"

Best suited to beginners as outcome goals can be unrealistic or demotivating

Performance goals are often short term goals it is also useful to break down the performance into technical aspects that need to be improved to bring about the improved performance

eg; i want to run a PB of sub 9.85 seconds in the 100m

Can you identify what type of goals these statements are ?

I want to win the long jump at Sports Day

Smarter Targets

I need to drop my PB down to 29.35 seconds from 29.68 for the 50m breast stroke

I aim to improve the quality of my back hand return with a greater focus on my grip and maintaining a solid wrist

I want to score at least 12 points in tomorrows game

A performer who sets SMARTER targets ensures their goals;

• increase motivation
• reduce anxiety
• improve/optimise performance
• Task persistence / want to keep trying
• Focuses attention / improved selective attention

Smarter Target " a goal setting technique that can be used to increase motivation and reduce anxiety. SMARTER targets should be Specific, Measurable, Accepted, Realistic, Time bound, Evaluated, Re-done

E = Evaluate

R = Re-do

Specific

Measurable

The target must be specific to the demands of the sport, muscles used or movements used. ( Sport Specific or Positional)

It must be possible to measure that the specific target has been met.

If the performer and coach have access to statistics, times, distances, scores then they can more easily assess progress towards the goal

Specific goals are far better than general ones.

Rather than a general statement, we’re looking for goals with substance and the more detailed the better. The goal will be clear and precise and often include data.

Saying I want to improve my defence is too vague - Improving my defensive positioning and getting active with my hands I aim to avg 3 steals a game

Evaluate

Time Bound

Achievable ( Realistic)

Re-do

Short term and long term steps should be clearly identified so there is a clear deadline for the goal to be achieved

If the goal has not been achieved or progress was to slow or the performer thinks something could have been done better then ...Do it again.

The performer must be able to reach their goal, if the target is not realistic then it will not have the desired affect to motivate them.

Conversely if they are able to meet the goal with a sustained effort and work then the athlete will be more willing to set further goals or extend their current one

The athlete and coach should meet to evaluate how and when the goal was achieved.

Review what strategies/methods were successful so that only these are utilised in the future to achieve new goals

Accepted

The target must be accepted by the performer and the others involved in training and competition, such as the performers coach

Goal setting Task

For your chosen assessment for the Practical exam set several goals using the SMARTER target-setting technique.

You should use a range of Goals (Outcome Task-orientated, Performance, Process)