Goal setting is defined as, Attaining a specific standard of profficiency on a task, usually within a specified time limit. Goals are categorized into three different areas. The first is subjective, which means just having fun or participating in exercise. The second category is general goals which includes winning a championship or making a team. The last category is specific goals which would be improving on one statistics. After in depth testing and observation experts say that setting goals do influence performance. The players strive to reach the goal set and facilitate themselves to accomplish, such as reaching a certain number of statistics.
The Mechanist Theory describes goal setting better than other theories do. The mechanist theory says that goal setting influences in four ways. The first is that athletes direct their attention and actions towards accomplishing the goal. The second is helps performer mobilize their effort to doing what needs to be done to reach the goal. Thirdly, goal setting will give the athlete prolonged effort and increase their persistancy. And lastly, it allows one to employ new strategies and tactics, this pertains to coaches more than the player.
There are certain goal setting guidelines that one should follow. The list consists of these, set specific goals, make them difficult but realistic, have them short and long range goals, have goals for practice and for the game and make the goals positive. There is also a list of goals for what not to do when setting them. They are not to have too many to soon, do not make them too general, do not just make them technique related goals and do not fail to modify if needed.
Goals can be set by either the coach or the players. When coaches set goals they should record statistics and such to have for seeing improvements and for not accomplishing the goals. A main step in coaches having their teams set goals is the coach needs to step in when a problem arises. My father was my high school soccer coach and this gives me a perfect example to describe how a coach should set goals for his team. A coach should try to have his team peak at their top performance at the end of the year, by doing this he team must take things step by step or goal by goal. Every year my father asks the team in the beginning of the year to set a goal for themselves, our soccer team answered to win a State Championship. That is a very high goal. My father said that this was a reasonable goal but maybe a little optimistic seeing as we played in a very competitive conference. So he set a goal for us to win the conference then focus on the state.
The two biggest effects in athletes in the relativity to goal setting are the performance expectancy and performance valence. The performance expectancy is described as an athletes self-efficacy of confidence relative to teaching a range of performance levels. Accomplishing goals and not has a very big effect in a psychological manner, which effects the confidence of a player. Performance valence is the range of satisfaction of an athlete when he or she anticipates the performer will derive from achieving the set goal.
In conclusion, there are many variables in goal setting. The athletes goals are linked to their levels of anxiety, motivation and confidence. Performance goals are both in the athletes control and are flexible. This raises the levels of confidence, anxiety and motivation and performance. Goals affect many different states of the athlete. They help attain personal growth and peak performance. It affects the psychological state and is a tool that works when mixed with hard-work, discipline that can be used by coaches and players.
