Written by Many coaches grapple with differentiating their personal aspirations from their coaching goals, and how these two facets can be harmoniously intertwined. While personal goals tend to revolve around the coach’s individual development, coaching goals are generally linked to the team’s progress and achievements.
Personal goals can vary widely amongst coaches—ranging from expanding their professional knowledge, advancing their coaching techniques, to establishing their prominence within the sports sphere. However, coaching goals are largely athlete-centered, concentrating on fostering specific skills, driving team spirit, or striving for a championship title (Côté, Turnnidge, & Evans, 2014).
Coaches must take the lead in creating a fusion between their personal and coaching goals. Their personal growth as a coach can significantly impact the development and success of their athletes (Smith, Smoll, & Cumming, 2007). In working towards these goals, coaches should uphold transparency about their aspirations, communicating their vision with the team. A sense of shared purpose can spark team cohesion and motivation, fostering a positive environment conducive to achievement (Cruickshank & Collins, 2012).
Involving athletes in the goal-setting process is of paramount importance. Athletes who feel valued and heard are more likely to buy into the team’s goals, enhancing their commitment and determination to strive for success (Camiré, Trudel, & Forneris, 2014). This engagement boosts the team’s dynamic, motivating athletes to invest their effort and time in achieving the team’s goals.
The coach’s role is not limited to instructing techniques or designing strategies but also includes facilitating their athletes’ growth, both individually and as a team. Coaches should strive to align their personal growth with their athletes’ development—this alignment can pave the path towards overall team success.
References:
Camiré, M., Trudel, P., & Forneris, T. (2014). Examining how model youth sport coaches learn to facilitate positive youth development. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 19(1), 1-17.
Côté, J., Turnnidge, J., & Evans, M. B. (2014). The dynamic process of development through sport. Kinesiologia Slovenica, 20(3), 14-26.
Cruickshank, A., & Collins, D. (2012). Culture change in elite sport performance teams: Examining and advancing effectiveness in the new era. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 24(3), 338-355.
Smith, R. E., Smoll, F. L., & Cumming, S. P. (2007). Effects of a Motivational Climate Intervention for Coaches on Changes in Young Athletes’ Achievement Goal Orientations. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 39(2), 95-107.