How to Set Goals in Soccer Explained
Setting goals is very important as a footballer, at all levels including youth to professional, because it is the first step of turning the invisible into the visible. All of the hard work of training you do on the field, along with all of your recovery off the field—including sleep, nutrition, hydration, and EMF exposure—must be guided by clear and effective goals to ensure progress and success.
Whether you want to make the varsity team, become a professional soccer player, or simply improve your performance each season, setting goals improves your mindset, gives you direction, keeps you focused, and helps you stay motivated. In this blog post I will be going over a quick guide on how to set goals in soccer.
How to Set Goals in Soccer
Create a Long-Term SMART Goal
Long-term goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) to guide your soccer dreams. A big SMART Goal can be something such as playing for a varsity team or signing a professional contract.
One thing to consider before you create your long-term smart goal is to really know your “Why.” Why are you passionate about the game? Why are you playing the game? Why do you want to achieve that main goal in the first place?
Create Short-Term Goals
Short-term goals act as stepping stones to your long-term goal and should focus on process goals, such as improving certain skills of the game, or prioritizing your recovery daily. Setting realistic, achievable goals each season helps young athletes track their progress and stay motivated.
The most important thing about your short term goals is that they should align with your main goal and you can even consider them smaller wins.
Set Deadlines
Every specific goal needs a deadline to keep you accountable and ensure continuous progress. Setting time-bound goals, such as getting 5 goals and 5 assists by the end of the season or making the starting lineup by mid-season, gives you a sense of urgency.
Deadlines help soccer players stay focused and measure their achievements effectively. How you do one thing is how you do everything and urgency is something you need at all times on and off the field.
Create a Plan and Take Action
A goal without a plan is just a wish. If you really want to achieve your goals you have to do the most obvious thing which is to take action. But you cannot take action before creating a plan.
A well-structured plan helps you stay focused, track progress, and make consistent improvements. A well developed plan will also optimize your time and help you improve directly at the game, since that is going to be the basis on anyone’s goal in this sport, without wasting valuable time.
Track Your Progress
Once you begin your plan, it is important to track your progress to stay accountable and measure your improvements. Regularly reviewing your efforts helps you identify what’s working and what needs adjustment. This keeps you motivated and ensures you’re moving closer to achieving your goals.
Evaluate and Modify if Needed
Goal setting is an ongoing process, and sometimes, you need to adjust your goals to stay realistic and relevant. If an outcome goal is too difficult or a process goal isn’t yielding results, modify it without losing motivation.
Summary
Setting goals in soccer is crucial for achieving success, whether it’s making the varsity team, becoming a professional soccer player, or improving each season. Players should set long-term SMART goals and break them down into short-term, achievable goals that focus on skill development and performance.
Tracking progress and setting time-bound deadlines keep athletes accountable and motivated throughout their journey. A well-structured plan, along with regular evaluation and adjustments, ensures continuous improvement and long-term success in the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I begin improving my soccer skills right now?
To begin improving your soccer skills right now, check out our post on the best soccer training drills. If you are looking to accelerate your progress, contact us or sign an interest form for our private training program.
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.
