How to Determine Goals for Young Athletes

Young athletes are enthusiastic and eager to take on the new challenges ahead. They have the motivation, passion, and courage to become better at what they are doing. And the best way to make the most out of them is by determining the right goals.

It will allow them to channel their energy in the right direction and enjoy long-term benefits. The idea of setting goals is to help athletes understand their current skills and achievements and how they can progress. While it might seem easy, there is a proper process to ensure you set the goals effectively.

The Process of Goal-Setting For Young Athletes

The most effective approach to setting goals for young athletes is SMART. It stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time specific. This approach will ensure that you determine the right goals for young athletes that won’t over-burden them and can be achieved. You should keep the above strategy in mind and follow the process mentioned below.

Write Down Your Goals

Writing down your goals will give you an idea of what you’re striving for. Also, the wording you choose is important. It is best to use positive and affirmative words instead of negative language.

For instance, avoid writing, “I won’t sleep till late in the morning.” Instead, you should write, “I will try to get up by 6 AM.

Set the KPIs

KPIs or key performance indicators help you check the progress of your goals. So after you have a clear set of goals, you should also have a proper metric that will allow you to gauge the enhancement in the young athletes’ performance. For example, you can set a goal to increase your protein intake without consuming too many calories.

Find The Obstacles and Then Overcome Them

While young athletes might have their focus on sports, it is important to focus on academics as well. Apart from studies, other things, such as school projects, illness, etc., can come in the way of the athletes’ training. You might run as per the schedule without interruption in an idealistic situation.

However, that is not the case, and we need to know the obstacles that can come in the way of reaching the goals. Once you recognize the problem, try to devise a plan to deal with such obstacles. That way, the young athletes can stay on track, achieving their goals on time.

Review Goals

Lastly, you should assess and review your goals from time to time. It is because some athletes might be able to achieve their goals before time, while others would need some time. Reviewing the goals will allow the young athletes to enhance their overall performance accordingly.

Wrapping Up

Coaches and parents play a critical role in helping young athletes set goals. Therefore, they should help the young one in identifying goals, helping throughout the steps, and encouraging them to achieve those goals. It will also be a huge motivation for young athletes to work towards their goals.

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