Free Resource Page for Athletes
Every Athlete needs GOALS!
Goals are what keep athletes engaged in their sport. There are really 3 types of goals, short term goals, long term goals, and ultimate or career goals. We will use "switchback" stairs as analogy for our goals. The short term goals are the landings between staircases. The long term goals, are the stories you climb, and the ultimate goal or career goal is at the top.
Short term goals can be accomplished usually in a day or a few weeks, they only require a short period of time to reach and are what we use to track our progress as we move along our path.
Short term goals can include:
- Have fun
- Enjoy the sport
- Learn more
- Make friends
- Get better at a specific skill
Long term goals take time, a longer period of time and require us accomplishing our short term goals to reach the long term goals.
Typical Long term goals can include:
- Making a team
- Breaking personal records
- Winning an Event
Then we have the ultimate goals. Ultimate goals are along ways away from where we currently are. They require years to reach, sometimes entire careers. I won't list those, you know what they are, they are your desires, they are the dreams you have, the reason you push your self thru each valley and up to the top of the next peak. Ultimate goals give you the passion and desire to continue climbing the stairs.
Athlete Development
has many components that you should ultimately be in control of. As an athlete, one component is your team. The team around you is your choice. That team should put you and you reaching your goals at the center of the circle. The team should be comprised of your coaches and your family or support system. This team (with your input) should create each step that you will climb in route to achieving each short term goal. Adjusting and pivoting the steps of your development along the way to help you achieve your long term goals. Be sure that your plan follows the cycle of Athlete Development.
The steps for Athlete Development are:
- Skill Building
- You gain competence and confidence
- You compete in drills or in competitions
- You evaluate your failures or deficiencies
- You repeat the cycle
As you continue along your journey of development, your team may change, your long term goals may change, and your ultimate goals may change as well, but be sure that you achieving your goals is always the driving force of your team.
