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Part 1 : 4 mins reading

GOAL SETTING SIMPLIFIED

An introduction to the concept of goal setting for cricketers.

Overview

Goal setting is one the most important activities in the planning process whether you are trying to make small changes or huge improvements to your game. While this applies to other aspects of life, this post aims to simplify and enhance an introductory understanding among cricketers or athletes who are still trying to grasp the concepts. There are many articles, templates and videos on this topic so it is a great idea to be open minded in order to come up with your own goal setting method.
 
When we set goals we are able to visualise our ideal future state (1000 runs in a season, a first class playing contract, playing in front of a packed MCG, taking the last wicket on the last day in the last hour of a test match, hitting a six off the last ball to win the game etc). The result is added effort, increased intent and development of previously unexplored strategies. Specific to cricketers, a few benefits of setting goals are outlined below.
 

 
Direction 
Goals make you understand clearly what you are aiming for, your ideal outcomes and for some, a destination. Some examples could be: First XI, Premier Cricket, First Class, Test Cricket.

Accountability
Goals challenge you to acknowledge your responsibilities and become answerable for the outcome of your actions and decisions. Is what I am doing going to help me achieve my goals? Remember you are responsible for things ie actions (sleeping late, not stretching, hitting against the wind) and answerable to people (your coaches, parents, team mates, and friends).

Control over your future
If you can’t make decisions, someone will make them for you. If you have no plan, someone will make one for you or better yet, you become a part in someone else’s plan. By setting goals, you gain the power to decide on how you spend time and what you focus on which gives you direction and something to aim at, a clear target. “This week I will practice bowling slower balls on Monday, I will go to the gym on Wednesday, I will work on my sweep shot on Thursday.”

Motivation
There is a level of excitement when you set out to achieve something because you can visualise your future state, an improvement on the current version of you. This positive feeling will help you overcome obstacles along the way as you’re driven by something bigger. “I should continue to work on my sweep shots so that I can make runs against the spinner, which will give me the best chance of getting a hundred on a turning pitch”.

Better Focus
If you know where you are going and have a plan for getting there, you are able to give more attention to only what is important. There is limited time and energy and therefore better focus improves allocation to the most pressing matters. This also helps to deal with procrastination, distractions and feeling overwhelmed. “Every session this week, I’ll start by hitting 4 buckets against the swinging ball on the machine.”

Sense of Purpose
Goals give you a reason to get up every morning, a reason to put in that extra bit of effort and added meaning to what you do. Every training session has an overall purpose as it helps you get closer to the desired goal. "Every time I feel tired, I have to push myself to go the extra mile as it will help me achieve my fitness goals."

The 3 Types Of Goals

Short Term: Something you want to accomplish soon. A general rule is 3-6 months but it can be as short as required given the context.
Mid Term: These sit in between short and long term. A general rule is 6-12 months for the purposes of a cricket career.
Long Term: We want to accomplish these in the future, they normally take several years. A general rule would be 3-5 years.
 

Other Eventualities

When you have confidence in your ability to perform the required tasks better ie dominate your role (maximise the power-play, bat time, survive the new ball, rotate strike) this is known as self-efficiency and this can be high or low. When it is high, a player puts in greater efforts when faced with challenging tasks and when it is low, there are chances he might quit or put in lesser efforts. 
 
When a player fully commits to the goal and will not give up until it is achieved, this is known as goal commitment. This is influenced by the following:
  • The player setting his own goals rather than being  designated or pushed by coaches, parents etc.
  • The goals being made public to someone else or a wider audience.
 
In summary, the main importance of goal setting resides in giving direction to players about what needs to be done and how much effort is required to be put in.

About Sol Mire

The former Zimbabwean Test, ODI and T20 international batting allrounder, is the founder of Advance2Play. He has plenty of experience in player development and high performance programs with a combined 22 years of playing, mentoring and coaching around the globe. He has worked with players from grassroots to international level, developed training programs for academies, schools and presented on various cricket topics at different levels.
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