Why Should I make Goal Setting Part of My Program?

Goal setting puts definite aims to mind and helps to solidify an athletes main goals and aspirations. While we will go further into applying types of goal setting later on two main views are held as to why goal setting works to improve performance. The first and more thoroughly researched theory is the direct mechanistic view [1, 2]. This proposes that goals directly influence performance through increasing effort, motivation and persistence along with directing attention to particular skills and the development of new learning strategies. On the other hand, the second, known as the indirect thought process view [3] see the influence on behavior as indirect through its influence on psychological factors such as confidence and anxiety. Either way, goal setting can attribute decent improvement in its various forms.

Shane Hogan from Offshore Surf School ripping on his backhand  photo: Caitlin Hughes

Although little literature exists on goal setting specific to that of surfing, it requires the athlete to be fit and skilled in a number of different areas just like any other sport. This means that goal setting can be a useful coaching tool, in fact Burton & Weiss [4] assessed 88 studies in sport and exercise and found that 80% determined goal setting to be effective in sport. While it is regularly used in many forms and not just for sport, goal setting needs to be implemented correctly for it to be effective and as a coach you are in a unique position to do so.

“It's all about where your mind's at.”
Kelly Slater

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References:

1.         Latham, G.P. and E.A. Locke, The Application of Goal Setting to Sports. Journal of Sport Psychology, 1985. 7(3): p. 205-222.

2.         Locke, E.A. and G.P. Latham, Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 2002. 57(9): p. 705-717.

3.         Garland, H., A cognitive mediation theory of task goals and human performance. Motivation and Emotion, 1985. 9(4): p. 345-367.

4.         Burton, D. and C. Weiss, The fundamental goal concept: the path to process and performance success, in Advances in sport psychology (3rd ed.). T.S. Horn and T.S. Horn, Editors. 2008, Human Kinetics: Champaign, IL US. p. 339-375,470-474.