Coaching
termining your athletes' preparedness both physically and mentally.
will be necessary to reach it. As you do this, consider two things: priorities and obstacles.
A situational analysis, with its external, internal and competitive review is a very involved process. However, it is the essential first step to creating strategic plan for success in your sport. To get where you want to go, you have to know where you are and what resources are available to you.
Considering the goal of bringing your athletes to new personal bests, some of your objectives may include: learning more about periodization principles, getting new equipment or arranging some scientific testing for your athletes.
2. Where are you going? This aspect of strategic planning is similar to reading a map. You can't plan a trip if you don' t know where you are going, and you can't reach your goals if you aren't sure what they are. As you think about the goals you have for your sport and your athletes, consider these four criteria: 1. Be realistic - This involves setting yourself up for daily success so you have constant reinforcement that your goal is attainable. Set your goal within an achievable timetable. 2. Measurable - you must define your goal specifically so you can evaluate your progress. For example, setting a goal that states, "I will get my athletes in better physical condition by using periodization planning techniques" lacks definition and clarity. What determines "better physical condition?" However, a goal that states, "I will bring all my athletes to new personal bests by using periodization planning techniques" is easily measured by comparing training performances to previous personal best records. This type of measurable goal gives you something concrete to strive for instead of a vague ideal. 3. Stated positively - A positive goal statement will encourage you to maintain your behavior. Your athletes will feel a sense of achievement, which helps maintain high levels of motivation. 4. The goals must be your own and your athletes own. When you write goals, make sure they are the things you really want to see happen and not simply a result of political or administrative pressures. Plan to win.
3. How do you get there?
First, you'll need to prioritize. For example, of the three objectives listed above, the first thing you should do is become more knowledgeable about periodization so you know how to arrange your training year. This is important because it will help you determine when you should incorporate scientific testing, and what type of training equipment will be the most effective to bring your athletes to a new level of excellence. Prioritizing your objectives will help you determine a sequential, logical approach to accomplishing your goal. Second, you should consider any obstacles that will prevent you from achieving your objectives. Although you can't anticipate all problems, you can probably foresee many. As you list your objectives, identify any obstacles that you think you'll have to overcome.
If you are contemplating buying new equipment, one obstacle may be funding. Recognizing this, you can brainstorm and come up with some ideas on how to get the money. List all your options such as sponsorship, donations, grants and fund raising. By looking ahead at possible obstacles, you can incorporate new objectives into your plan that will eliminate them. Another obstacle that most coaches face is time. With training, competition, travel and family demands, it may seem difficult, if not impossible, to find more time to set and reach goals. One key ingredient to enhancing your goal-setting strategies is a timeline. So, if you want to use periodization techniques to plan your athletes training season. That way, you'll be ready to do some serious planning while your athletes take a break during the off-season. Develop a timeline of the remaining months of the season, including tasks such as contacting your NCB or the USOC to get some specific information on periodization; talking to other coaches about their training strategies; reading related information on training volume, intensity and recovery and making a preliminary draft of the next training year. Hang the timeline above your desk and stick to it. Schedule activities into your daily planner and follow your map to your ultimate destination, success. Remember, failing to plan is a plan to fail.
Now that you know where you are going, it's time to map out the roads you'll need to travel to get there. Look at your goal and list the steps or objectives that Reprinted by permission from the Olympic Coach , Winter 1993, Vol. 3, No.1 , 1-2.
TECHNIQUE March 1993
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You should consider any obstacles that will prevent you from achieving your objectives. Although you can't anticipate all problems, you can probably foresee many. As you list your objectives, identify any obstacles that you think you'll have to overcome.