You are viewing a free preview of this lesson.
Subscribe to unlock all 8 lessons in this course and every other course on LearningBro.
This lesson covers goal setting and SMART targets as required by the OCR GCSE PE specification (J587, Section 2.2). Goal setting is a fundamental psychological tool used by performers to improve motivation, focus, and adherence to training. OCR uses a specific version of the SMART acronym that differs from some other specifications — you must learn the OCR version precisely.
Goal setting is important because it:
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Increases motivation | Having a clear target gives the performer something to work towards, maintaining effort and commitment |
| Improves focus | Goals direct the performer's attention towards specific areas of improvement rather than training aimlessly |
| Builds confidence | Achieving goals provides a sense of accomplishment that boosts self-belief |
| Monitors progress | Goals allow the performer (and their coach) to track improvement over time |
| Maintains adherence | A performer with clear goals is less likely to skip training sessions or give up |
| Reduces anxiety | Knowing what they are working towards can help performers feel more in control and less anxious about competition |
graph TD
G["Goal Setting"] --> M["Increases<br>Motivation"]
G --> F["Improves<br>Focus"]
G --> C["Builds<br>Confidence"]
G --> P["Monitors<br>Progress"]
G --> A["Maintains<br>Adherence"]
G --> R["Reduces<br>Anxiety"]
style G fill:#8e44ad,color:#fff
style M fill:#2980b9,color:#fff
style F fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
style C fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
style P fill:#3498db,color:#fff
style A fill:#2ecc71,color:#fff
style R fill:#f39c12,color:#fff
Definition: Goals based on the performer's own standards — they focus on improving personal performance regardless of the result.
Examples:
Definition: Goals based on the result of a competition — they focus on winning or achieving a specific competitive outcome.
Examples:
| Performance Goals | Outcome Goals |
|---|---|
| Within the performer's control | Partly dependent on the opposition |
| Focus on personal improvement | Focus on competitive results |
| More motivating for most performers because they can always be achieved through effort | Can be demotivating if the opposition is significantly stronger |
| Recommended by sports psychologists as the primary focus | Useful as a long-term ambition but should not be the sole focus |
Exam Tip: OCR may ask you to distinguish between performance and outcome goals. A strong answer will define each type, give a sporting example for each, and explain why performance goals are generally considered more effective for motivation and improvement.
OCR uses a specific version of the SMART acronym. This is different from some other exam boards. You must learn the OCR definitions precisely.
| Letter | OCR Meaning | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| S | Specific | The goal must be clearly defined and focused on a particular area of improvement — not vague |
| M | Measurable | The goal must include a way to measure progress or achievement — usually a number, time, or score |
| A | Achievable | The goal must be realistic and within the performer's capability — challenging but not impossible |
| R | Recorded | The goal must be written down and documented so that it can be reviewed and tracked |
| T | Timed | The goal must have a clear deadline or timeframe for completion |
CRITICAL NOTE: OCR defines "A" as Achievable and "R" as Recorded. Other exam boards may use "Accepted" (or "Agreed") and "Realistic." Make sure you use the OCR definitions in your exam — using the wrong version may cost you marks.
| Letter | Application |
|---|---|
| S | Improve my 50 m freestyle time |
| M | Reduce my time from 32.5 seconds to 31.0 seconds |
| A | A 1.5-second improvement over 8 weeks is challenging but realistic given my current training programme |
| R | Record all training times and competition results in a training diary |
| T | Achieve this by the county championships on 15th June |
Subscribe to continue reading
Get full access to this lesson and all 8 lessons in this course.