3 CRITERIA FOR GOAL SETTING 1. Goal selection should be a joint effort of both the athlete and the coach.
2. Goals should be conceivable, believable and achievable.
3. Goals should be planned for short-term (one to three weeks), intermediate (four to six weeks), and long-term (length of season and off-season).
When establishing goals, only a limited number should be stated. Many times athletes set too many goals, and when the goals cannot be attained, a sense of failure is felt. Therefore, eight or nine goals divided over short, intermediate and long-term plans are adequate.
Finally, each goal should include an affirmation. An affirmation is simply a positive statement that the athlete verbalizes over when trying to reach the desire goal. The affirmation should be a short, concise sentence that incorporates the desired outcome of the goal.
ELEMENTS OF A GOAL-SETTING PROGRAM
1. Practice and game goals
2. Conditioning goals
3. Mental training goals
4. Positive mental attitude goals
From "The Mental Edge" by Stephen J. Brennan
