Have you ever wondered how the world’s top tennis players set and achieve their goals? It’s not just about rigorous training; it’s about smart, strategic goal setting. In this article, I’ll share how I conduct goal setting in tennis, and it’s not your traditional SMART goals template!
Step 1: Envisioning Your Future Success
Travel to the Future and Set Your Vision
Unlike the typical approach of starting from the beginning, I encourage players to project themselves twelve months into the future. What remarkable achievements have you unlocked in this time?
Imagine writing a diary entry dated twelve months from today. Start it with, “Dear Coach, it’s been a remarkable twelve months. I have achieved…”
This method focuses on outcome goals like improving your second serve percentage or developing healthy habits like increasing muscle mass. The key is to envision goals within your control, steering clear of external variables like rankings or tournament draws.
Example: “I DID IT! Today, a year since I set my tennis goals, I’ve increased my rally tempo by 20% with my forehand cross-court. The additional focus on my diet, gaining muscle while reducing body fat, has made me quicker and stronger.”
Step 2: Connecting Emotions with Goals
Focus on How It Makes You Feel: What’s Your Motivation?
The power of attaching emotions to goals is immense. It reveals what truly drives a player, be it the thrill of competition or the satisfaction of hard work paying off.
How did it feel to see your first-serve percentage increase? “Seeing my stats improve over the year, exceeding my goal by 2%, filled me with immense pride and joy.”
This step is about writing in the past tense as if the goals have already been achieved. It’s a powerful psychological tool that fosters a positive and motivated mindset.
Step 3: Detailing the Process or Short Term Goals
The Daily Steps Towards Your Vision
Now, we translate the long-term vision into daily, actionable steps. These are the processes you’ll change, improve, or adapt to reach your full potential.
Example: “I committed to expressing gratitude to my parents daily for their support in my tennis journey. This simple act reinforced my motivation and appreciation.”
For tennis-specific goals: “I stayed back after practice twice a week for the one-minute forehand tempo drill. Each week, I saw improvements in my shots’ quality.”
This stage is about tangible actions and feelings. It’s the ‘how’ behind achieving your vision, written in a way that makes it feel already accomplished.
Conclusion on Tennis Goal Setting
My approach to goal setting in tennis might stray from the norm, but it has proven effective for players at all levels. It’s crucial that goals stem from the player, not imposed by coaches or parents. By tapping into the player’s own aspirations and motivations, we set a path for genuine progress and fulfillment.
Now that you know these unconventional yet effective ways to set goals in tennis, it’s time to put these strategies into action. What will your first step be? Share your thoughts or start your goal-setting journey in the comments below!
Editor’s Note:
As this article transitions to a new platform, it’s important to recognize the evolution in my coaching approach. Originally rooted in traditional practices, I’ve now embraced more dynamic, player-centered methods. This post serves as a testament to that journey, offering insights into both traditional and modern coaching philosophies.
