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Goals and Objectives Realistic yet challenging goals for each athlete are important to the motivation of the athlete both at training and during competition. Goals establish and drive the action of both training and competition plans. Sport confidence in athletes helps to make participation fun and is critical to the athlete's motivation. Please see the Principles of Coaching section for additional information and exercises on goal setting.   Goal Setting Setting goals is a joint effort with the athlete and coach. The main features of goal setting include the following. Structured into short-term, intermediate and long-term Stepping stones to success Must be accepted by the athlete Vary in difficulty — easily attainable to challenging Must be measurable Long Term Goal The athlete will acquire basic athletics skills, appropriate social behavior and functional knowledge of the rules necessary to participate successfully in athletics competitions.   Short Term Objectives Athlete will warm-up properly before a track and field practice or meet. Athlete will successfully perform track skills. Athlete will successfully perform field skills. Athlete will comply with official athletics rules while participating in athletics competition. Athlete will exhibit sportsmanship with teammates and opponents at all times.   Benefits Increases athlete's level of physical fitness Teaches self-discipline Teaches the athlete sports skills that are essential to a variety of other activities Provides the athlete with a means for self-expression and social interaction   Assessing Goals Checklist Write a goal statement. Does the goal sufficiently meet the athlete's needs? Is the goal is positively stated? If not, rewrite it. Is the goal is under the athlete's control and that it focuses on their goals and no one else's? Is the goal a goal and not a result? Is the goal important to the athlete that they will want to work towards achieving it? Have the time and energy to do it? How will this goal make the athlete's life differently? What barriers might the athlete encounter in working toward this goal? What more does the athlete know? What does the athlete need to learn how to do? What risks does the athlete need to take?

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