Module Seven: Sport Psychology - Sport Manawatu

EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF GOAL SETTING IN MOTIVATIONBefore you begin, think about the following points:• What motivates the athletes you coach?• How can you, as a coach, best meet the needs of your athletes at training and competition, andconsequently keep them involved in sport?INTRODUCTIONCoaches are always interested in learning ways to help their athletes motivate themselves. Athletes are concernedwith maintaining their motivation once they have acquired the drive and desire to succeed at their sport.Motivation is a complex concept involving the combination of direction and intensity of effort in a particularsituation. For example: direction – playing for a team or club, attending a coaching clinic or aerobics class,joining a fitness centre, or seeking physiotherapy treatment for an injury: intensity – the amount of effort withwhich an athlete pursues their chosen direction (Weinberg & Gould, 1995).PARTICIPATION IN SPORAthletes participate in sport for three main reasons:• fun – enjoyment, challenge and excitement,• socialisation – to be with others, belonging to a group, and• self-esteem – achievement.Understanding why athletes participate is an important key to motivating them. It may be useful for you to askyour athletes to complete a simple exercise at the start of each season or period of coaching, rating themselves 1to 10 on each of the aspects above. If the participation needs of your athletes are not being met, these becomegoals you can help your athletes work towards achieving.It is important that your goals and those of your athletes are compatible. If you want to win the regionalchampionship, and your athletes just want to play for fun and socialisation and are not prepared to put in theeffort required to achieve your goal, conflict will inevitably result.GOAL SETTINGGoal setting has been shown to influence the performance motivation of athletes of varied ages and ability levels,and has also been linked to positive changes in important psychological states such as anxiety, confidence, andself-concept. It is a basic technique that coaches, athletes, sport psychologists and allied sport professionalsshould regularly employ.Goal setting is primarily a mental skills technique used to generate, enhance, and maintain motivation.Goal setting achieves this by:• organising the existing needs, desires and objectives of your athletes, i.e. their goals,• creating a focus of attention and action, and• identifying what the athletes and coach are trying to do or accomplish. This provides a purpose for theathletes’ efforts.