| Having goals can increase effort because the players | | | | A player must know exactly what they've got to do. |
| have a means of measuring their performance and | | | | That means you will both have to agree a set of |
| contribution against. | | | | actions that will help the player achieve their goal. |
| SMART goals have long lasting motivation benefits. | | | | For example, an action based element could read like |
| When you review performance against set goals and | | | | this... "I will increase the accuracy of my crossing |
| the player has shown an improvement, raise the bar | | | | from corner kicks putting the ball into the box on no |
| a little higher. Each time the player will be motivated | | | | less than 8 out of 10 occasions." |
| to achieve a new level of performance providing the | | | | REALISTIC |
| incremental increase is still within grasp. | | | | Goal have got to be within the reach of the soccer |
| If you've not been overly exposed to SMART goal | | | | players. |
| setting then let's run through what we mean by | | | | That's not to say that you are going to set "soft |
| SMART goals and how we can use them with our | | | | targets". Targets that are so within reach that the |
| players. | | | | players aren't motivated to stretch themselves |
| SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Action | | | | because its too easy. |
| based, Realistic & Time bound. | | | | However, setting realistic goals is a tough balance, |
| SPECIFIC | | | | make them too easy and the players won't try, |
| The more specific a goal is the easier it is to identify | | | | make them too hard and the players will give up |
| when and whether its been achieved. The goal should | | | | quickly because they don't believe they can do what |
| be a detailed description of what the required | | | | it takes. |
| outcome is that both player and coach want to see | | | | TIMEBOUND |
| happen. | | | | It is very important to set definitive time limits for |
| MEASURABLE | | | | each of the players goals. Remember too, that you |
| Unless a goal is measurable, how can you establish | | | | should build in regular reviews with the players to |
| whether there has been an improvement or not? | | | | assess their progress and revise the goals that they |
| Goals should be measurable in terms of quality, | | | | have. |
| quantity, shots, tackles, runs and saves. When | | | | Have a go.... |
| players can see they have made progress towards | | | | Get yourself some paper and a pen and write down |
| achieving the goal the motivational benefits really kick | | | | a high level goal that you want your team to achieve |
| in. | | | | following the SMART goal setting principles. |
| A baseline starting point should be established and | | | | Remember, keep them SMART! |
| the goal set from the baseline measurement. From | | | | Claim your complimentary copy of the 'Soccer |
| this baseline, and having the target, players can | | | | Coaching Guide' provided by Junior Soccer Coach and |
| measure how far they have come. | | | | receive hints, tips and techniques to improve your |
| ACTION BASED | | | | team's performance AND your expertise as a coach. |