Setting Your Goals for the Season – A Simple Approach

It is now close to the start of the season & time for many players, & their coaches, to set what they want to achieve this year.

We have all heard about the concept of setting goals. They give direction & purpose to how we approach our cricket. However, quite often goals are not established in the right form & hence don't provide the purpose they were intended for. Here are some simple steps to follow when setting goals.

1. Goals for Every Occasion – When do I use what?

Outcome Goals: (e.g. 500 runs for the season) what you hope to achieve.
Progressive Goals: (e.g. Bowl a good out-swinger) the things you need to do to be able to achieve your outcome goals.
The easy process to set your goals is to ask yourself the following:
Where am I going? (Outcome or result goal)
How am I going to get there? (Progressive or performance goal)
It works at its best when the player is involved in the process & the main focus is on achieving progressive goals. These two areas are the main reasons why goal setting may not work.

Setting Goals the SMART Way

Your player & team's goals should have the following features: Specific
Measurable Outcome Goals
Achievable
Rewarding
Progressive
Time-bound Goals
Team Goals Individual Goals

Reference:Cricket Australia, 2003, Development Coach (Youth): CD-Rom