Goal setting with youth - part 2

In this part I'm focussing more on high performance, yet all parts are as important.

Goal setting in a professional environment is to come soon.

In setting goals the first approach is almost the same for a team and individual player. In both situations it's very important that everyone understands the goals set, that the process is measurable and by when.

A specific match, end of the competition, a tournament, etc. A goal without a plan is just a wish. (I like oneliners every now and then).

Anyway, no matter the goals set for a team, always have individual goals and a processes for which the players can he held accountable, in detail, and focus on them. Why? Because they are extremely important for the level of performance.

With having the process in mind and having a moment to work to each and every step is measurable. They know when they are improving and how fast and on what they will be judged. By positive coaching on the process players will also get more confidence and perform better. Will have a better focus and by focussing on the process they will get less stressed during a match and make less mistakes. Having a bad focus or while being on the wrong things lot's of penalties and injuries are resulting.

Expectations and progress are relative, as well as the team your coaching.

Always keep in mind that the fun factor should always be there and I don't mean that you have to be a joker. You will agree on that and also that if you keep all things too tight everything you both work on will cause stress.

There is such a wide ranch of processes to work on that every list would be limited. Processes also comprehend that everything they learned will approach perfection on early learnings. You could focus on new learnings, on variations, on finding new solutions and getting a more creative player.

Once the game is happening the distance to the bench is to far and the game is going to fast and some players are capable to develop leadership. Who will be the first to make the necessary steps to stay on track. Especially when it's going to get though.

So far, there is no difference between the levels of performance. Only the level of expectations.

The higher the level of the team and players your coaching the higher the goals can be set. Speed, physics, pressure, reaction, precision, insight, variaties, ... the specific demands are always about getting faster, stronger, more accurate, overview, etc. the players are aware of the higher demands and will and do their utmost to deliver, to meet the standards requested. The higher level they are playing the bigger their dreams will be. Always hungry for more. Always willing to follow the road that you are both walking and listen to your wisdom and when you are the coach or trainer they look up to they will come back for more and new advise. Sometimes you might even get bounded for life.

The road that you are following together is only a part of the journey. Theirs and yours. Step by step. Hasn't every path you're following started with a first step. And when it got difficult didn't you realize that nothing was granted for free? That only hard work or working even harder was necessary to get further? That injuries and obstructions could have been moments to see new challenges? As long as you did the right things and made the right decisions that all these delays in progress where actually challenges to improve? At times all players request is honesty and unconditioned love and attention.

Players, no matter their age or level they are able to perform, would do almost anything just to get in favor of their coach and/or trainer, as long as they are honest with them. So stick to the processes set. Act when things are running well and when they don't. I'll tell you in of the next blogs 'How' to give them the messages they can understand. For now, shortly, don't use the word 'but' any longer unless you are meaning their 'bum'. Start to use the word 'And', always when combining two phrases with different meanings. Our brain forgets automatically everything mentioned before the word 'but'. It's strange, yet it is a fact.

Every player can improve to a certain level and it's your privilege to guide them. So don't look down on them when things are getting slow or difficult.

Just stick to the process, the follow up and the goals set and maybe, maybe while working very hard on teaching and offering the very best that's in you, that team or player(s) wil give you the very best memories ever.

Related to this blog next blogs for coaches will be about :

- Involve players in goal setting in a professional environment;

- A goal without a plan is just a wish;

- Focus on the process, not the outcome;

- Loosing a match doesn't alway mean that you are not on track, it might also mean that you are not on track yet;

- Etc.

#goalsetting #process #sport #youth #highperformance