| GOAL SETTING How F.I.T. am I? All successful people go through life setting clear and definable goals. Any swimmer looking to have a successful swimming career must have the proper road map to achieve their peak performance. True success varies by individual, but achieving it relies on the same steps, regardless of the desired level. Each swimmer must define their goals, define a plan to achieve the goals, and enjoy the process of attaining their goals. Goal setting has been an integral part of our training since the beginning of the HOT team. We help each athlete identify a realistic, reachable goal for the season ahead. Then we create a training plan that breaks down the ultimate goal into smaller, more focused, supporting goals. And a test set is used during a specific training cycle to review their goals on a regular basis. Daily training sets are designed to help maintain the movement towards success, showing the swimmer they have the ability to finish a tough set with a challenging send off. Performing their daily sets help to create effective ‘short-term’ success habits and helps them to remain focused on their ‘long-term’ success. We motivate each swimmer using different methods, all designed to assist them in achieving their goals. One such method is to have the swimmers write down ‘short & long-term’ goals for the upcoming season and turn them in to me. I review their goals to refine the times and insure that the goals are ‘realistic’ and attainable. A good starting place for all athletes is to use the acronym “F.I.T.”. It reminds them of how Frequent you have to train; how Intense you have to work; and how much Time of intense practice is necessary. While goal setting can sometimes seem like a daunting task, especially for our younger swimmers, I have collected several questions for a template which will give you a good starting point for the exercise. I need a minimum of one (1) overall ‘lifetime’ goal; two (2) ‘long-term’ goals (in the next year); and five (5) short-term’ goals (for this spring / summer season). Listed below are some ‘typical goals’ to help your swimmer think of their own personal goals.
- I want to make 2 National Cuts before I graduate from high school. (long/mid-term)
- I want to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Trials. (long term / lifetime)
- I want to improve my 100 Breast by 3.0 seconds this season. (short-term)
- I will improve 1.0 sec. per event per season. (mid-term)
- I will make it to the State TAGS meet next SC season. (mid-term)
- I will make all practices for the month of (_____).
- I will lead my lane when asked.
- I will make all sets as prescribed by my coach without stopping.
- I will pay attention to my technique especially towards the end of practice.
- I will use the ‘bonus’ rests to go to the bathroom – not leaving mid-set.
- I will not leave the pool until my swim down is completed.
- I will eat well balanced meals every day and get plenty of rest each night.
- I will improve my kick endurance (200 yds more week to week).
- I will be able to do more intense sets as the season progresses.
- I will hold the pace I should be holding for the entire set.
- Procrastination will not be in my daily routine.
- I will make five practices a week for the next six weeks.
- I will achieve 95% best times by the end of summer season.
Good luck defining your goals. Please turn in your goals to coach Carr by the first of March so we will have time to review them before/during ‘Spring Break’. Enjoy the process and let it help define your future as an ‘Athlete of HIGH Character’. Coach Carr YOUR PERSONAL GOALS for the 2021-22 swim year (SHORT TERM)
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(MID RANGE)
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(LONG RANGE)
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(LIFE TIME)
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