Goal setting

The best single motivational tool is goal setting. You must set long-term and short-term goals. We want to stress process goals as well as product goals. Process goals are defined as the steps that you take on your way to achieving a product (outcome) goal. Winning a game, for instance, is an outcome goal. When coaches focus solely on winning, team morale will deteriorate much more easily if the team does not win.

Process goals are oriented toward improvement and, as long as it is measurable, these goals can be set for any aspect of our team objectives. You may compare our progress to where you were at a certain time last year. This could be as easy as setting a goal for a drill and measuring how well your team does in a certain drill (use a stop watch or count made shots). Improvement can be measured easily that way. Process goals can be individual as well as team oriented.

Another idea for outcome goal setting is to divide the season into four or five sections. Establish a definite five game goal, or a goal of where we want to be at the end of the month or after a home stand. Focus on three game stretch or a tournament. Give kids a chance to look forward and not dwell on past failures.

The bottom line is that winning matters. But by giving kids more to focus on than wins and losses, personal stats, and playing time, you are giving your team more avenues to increase motivation. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.

Make your season about more than just Friday night's final score.