As a coach, one of the most powerful tools you can give your players is the ability to set clear, actionable goals before a match. But here’s the twist: the focus shouldn’t be solely on winning or perfecting technique—it should be on behaviors. Goals rooted in behaviors give players something tangible to control, measure, and reflect on, regardless of the outcome of the match. This article will explore the importance of behavior-based goal setting, highlight examples from my County Cup experience, and introduce you to a free resource to help your players take control of their performance.

Why Behaviors Are the Key to Effective Goal Setting

Mark Bennett’s Performance Development Systems (PDS) framework emphasizes the importance of behaviors as drivers of performance. It’s not about micromanaging every moment on court but empowering players to take ownership of how they respond to challenges, adapt under pressure, and execute their game plans.

Here’s why focusing on behaviors matters:

1. Behaviors Are Controllable
   Players can’t always control the score, their opponent’s performance, or external factors like weather. What they can control are their decisions, effort, and emotional responses. Behavior-based goals anchor players to what is within their power to manage.
2. Behaviors Drive Performance
   Positive outcomes—winning points, hitting great shots—are often the result of consistent behaviors. For example, staying focused after errors, maintaining proactive footwork, or sticking to a tactical plan can make the difference between success and frustration.
3. Behaviors Build Resilience
   Tennis is a game of ups and downs. Players who are anchored in clear behavioral goals can bounce back more effectively after setbacks because they have something productive to focus on. Instead of spiraling into frustration, they can regroup by concentrating on their chosen behaviors.

Setting Behavioral Goals: Examples from County Cup

During the County Cup, I encouraged my players to focus on three key behavioral goals before stepping onto the court:

1. Be Brave
   This was about taking risks when necessary. Whether that meant going for a deep return, stepping into the court on a short ball, or trusting their serve under pressure, the goal was to play with courage.
   • Example Feedback: “You stayed brave on that key point by stepping in to attack their second serve. Whether you won or lost the point, that’s the behavior we wanted to see.”
2. Commit Fully
   Once a decision was made—whether to hit a forehand cross-court or approach the net—the goal was to commit 100%. No hesitations, no half-measures.
   • Example Feedback: “You committed fully to the wide serve in the tiebreak, even though it was risky. That’s exactly the kind of conviction we talked about.”
3. Embrace the Struggle
   Matches are rarely perfect. This goal focused on maintaining composure during tough moments and viewing challenges as opportunities to grow.
   • Example Feedback: “You had a tough first set, but I loved how you embraced the struggle by staying calm and adjusting your tactics in the second set.”

By setting these behavior-based goals, players had something concrete to work toward. Importantly, these goals weren’t dependent on winning or losing—they were about the process of how they played and responded during the match.

How to Use Behavioral Goals in Your Coaching

If you’re ready to implement behavior-based goals with your players, here are some practical steps to get started:

1. Collaborate with the Player
   Sit down with your player before the match and discuss their goals. Instead of focusing on outcomes, ask questions like:
   • “What behaviors do you want to show on court today?”
   • “How will you know you’ve succeeded, regardless of the score?”
2. Keep It Simple
   Stick to 2–3 behavioral goals for each match. Too many can overwhelm the player and dilute their focus. Goals should be clear, actionable, and relevant to the player’s current level and needs.
3. Provide Specific Feedback
   After the match, give feedback based on the goals. Celebrate the behaviors they achieved and discuss areas for improvement. This reinforces the value of focusing on controllable actions.
4. Reflect and Adjust
   Encourage players to reflect on their performance. What behaviors did they execute well? Where did they struggle? This reflection helps them take ownership of their development and fosters a growth mindset.

Common Behavioral Goals You Can Use

Here are some examples of behavior-based goals you might set with your players:

• Stay positive after every error by taking a deep breath or verbalizing a reset phrase.
• Maintain proactive footwork on every shot, especially when defending.
• Commit to the first serve placement, regardless of the outcome.
• Look for opportunities to attack short balls and take initiative in the rally.
• Stay engaged between points by visualizing the next point and sticking to a consistent routine.

Why This Matters for Player Development

When players focus on behaviors, they become more independent, resilient, and adaptable on court. They learn to measure success by how well they executed their goals rather than solely by the match outcome. This shift not only improves performance but also makes tennis more enjoyable and fulfilling.

By creating a culture of behavior-based goal setting, you’re giving your players tools to succeed in both tennis and life. They’ll carry these skills—resilience, focus, commitment—with them long after they leave the court.

Ready to Get Started? Download My Free Player Match Goal Sheet Templates

To help you implement behavior-based goal setting with your players, I’ve created a set of Player Match Goal Sheet Templates. These easy-to-use templates are designed to guide players in identifying, tracking, and reflecting on their behavioral goals.

Whether you’re working with juniors, club players, or high-performance athletes, these templates will simplify the process and make goal setting a seamless part of your coaching.

👉 Download Your Free Player Match Goal Sheet Templates Here!

Let’s move beyond traditional goal-setting and start focusing on what really matters—building better players through better behaviors. Give your players the tools they need to succeed today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Final Thoughts

Tennis is more than just a game of skill—it’s a game of behaviors. By focusing on what players can control, you empower them to perform with confidence, resilience, and purpose. As coaches, it’s our responsibility to give them the tools to succeed, both on and off the court.

Start setting behavioral goals with your players today, and watch as their game—and mindset—transforms.