Setting Goals
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 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.
Elements of Setting Goals
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
Short-Term Objective
- Learning tennis in a fun environment.
Long-Term Goal
The athlete will acquire basic tennis skills, appropriate social behavior and functional knowledge of the rules necessary to participate successfully in tennis competitions.
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
