A Full Guide on How to Set Goals in Soccer
Knowing how to set goals in soccer is very important for any footballer at any level including youth all the way up to the professionals because it is the first step of turning the invisible into the visible. All of the hard training you do on and off the field, including your on the ball work and recovery, which includes sleep, nutrition, hydration, and EMF exposure—must be guided by clear and effective goals to make sure you see progress and success.
Without goals, all the hard work you put in can feel scattered and unfocused. Whether you want to make the varsity team, become a professional soccer player, or simply improve your performance, setting goals improves your mindset, gives you a sense of direction, and helps you stay focused and motivated.
In this blog post I will be going over a quick guide on how to set goals as a soccer player.
How to Set Goals in Soccer
Create a Long-Term SMART Goal
When it comes to setting goals in soccer, it is very important to start by creating a long-term goal that excites you—something big you’re working toward over the next 6–12 months or even beyond. The main point of a long-term goal is to give you a clear destination to aim for.
This goal creates a sense of purpose behind your daily training and helps you stay locked in, even when motivation dips. Whether it’s making the starting lineup of your team, earning a college scholarship, being the team’s top goal scorer, or going pro, your long-term goal should push you, inspire you, and give meaning to the work you put in every day.
Whatever this main goal is, make sure it is a SMART goal.
Specific – Know exactly what you want to achieve.
Measurable – Track your progress with real data.
Achievable – Make sure it’s challenging but realistic.
Relevant – It should align with your personal football journey.
Time-bound – Give yourself a clear deadline.
Setting a SMART goal gives you a clear target and makes it easier to stay motivated when the training gets tough.
Create Short-Term Goals
Short-term goals act as stepping stones to your long-term goal and should focus on specific, actionable tasks that you can work on daily or weekly. These goals help you stay on track and make your larger vision feel more achievable.
Think of short-term goals as process goals—they can include things like improving your weak foot, getting 7–8 hours of sleep each night, drinking a gallon of water daily, or completing three athletic training sessions per week. These small wins build momentum and create habits that lead to bigger results over time.
The most important thing about your short-term goals is that they align with your long-term goal. Each one should bring you a step closer to the bigger picture and these smaller goal should also align with the SMART framework.
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. Without a deadline, a goal becomes vague, easy to push aside, and can also lose its power to drive consistent action.
When you give yourself a clear timeframe, it forces you to be more mindful of your time, train with purpose, and evaluate your progress with honesty. Urgency creates discipline—and discipline is what separates good players from great ones.
Remember, 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. Tracking allows you to see what’s working, what needs to be adjusted, and how far you’ve come since you started.
Whether you’re journaling your workouts, using a training app, or simply checking off daily goals, tracking helps you stay consistent and motivated. It also builds confidence—when you can look back and see real growth, it reinforces that your effort is paying off.
Make it a habit to review your progress weekly or monthly. This reflection keeps you aligned with your goals and helps you make smarter decisions moving forward. Progress might not always be linear, but when you track it, you’ll always know you’re moving in the right direction.
Evaluate and Modify if Needed
As you work toward your goals, it’s important to regularly evaluate your progress and be honest about what’s working and what isn’t. Goal setting isn’t a one-time thing—it’s an ongoing process. Sometimes, your situation changes, or you realize that your original plan needs tweaking to stay effective and realistic.
If a goal feels too easy or too difficult, don’t be afraid to adjust it. Maybe you’re progressing faster than expected and need to raise the bar, or maybe you need to shift your focus to a different area of development. The key is to stay flexible while staying committed.
Modifying your goals doesn’t mean you’re giving up—it means you’re learning, adapting, and becoming a smarter player, which is crucial for long-term growth, both on and off the field.
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.
