How to Set the Right Goals for Your Young Athletes

Part of establishing your team philosophy on your team sport website entails publishing your goals for its members. Setting goals that are reachable but challenging can make the difference in a team’s season. Especially for young athletes, the focus cannot be on winning and winning alone. There is so much that sports can teach kids, and much of that learning can be undone if a team dedicated to winning experiences a loss. Such a mindset overlooks the silver lining.

There are a few ideas to consider when you choose goals for your season - they can range from numerical and statistical to existential and broad. Here are several jumping off points:

Goals that promote teamwork and hard work

Teaching your kids to work hard and play together should be your personal focus for the season. But how do you translate that into team goals? Consider techniques and in-game tactics that require teamwork. Some youth basketball teams will require five passes on every possession before a shot, or that every player must touch the ball on offense. As for hard work, defense is usually a good place to place you emphasis, because it is the most work-intensive across most sports. Having the team set out to limit opposing points or opportunities is a good place to start.

Another way to support teamwork and hard work is requiring every player to spend time at each position. That will help them understand the game better, know how difficult other positions can be and help their teammates in difficult situations.

Goals that promote a positive culture and attitude

The other side of setting team goals should be oriented toward building mental fortitude and a culture that will last throughout the rest of the kids’ lives. A good way to go about this is through team-building, like team dinners before games and wearing uniforms to school on game day. These techniques will make the athletes feel like a part of something bigger than them and learn to trust and respect one another. Also instill a sense of legacy for your young athletes - remind them that there will be more kids after them to inherit the program and they should want to leave it better than they found it.

Sports league websites are a great way to offer up your team goals and get your kids to play the right way.