Question 1

What is the difference between outcome, performance, and process goals?

Accepted Answer

Outcome goals focus on the result of a competition, like winning a race. Performance goals focus on personal achievements, such as beating your personal best time. Process goals focus on the actions or techniques during performance, like maintaining a smooth arm swing. Process goals are the most controllable and help build good habits, while outcome goals can be motivating but depend on others.

Question 2

Why are SMART targets important in goal setting?

Accepted Answer

SMART targets make goals clear and achievable. 'Specific' means you know exactly what to do; 'Measurable' lets you track progress; 'Achievable' ensures the goal is realistic; 'Recorded' helps you remember and review; 'Timed' gives a deadline to stay focused. Without SMART, goals can be vague and demotivating.

Question 3

How do I set effective short-term goals for my sport?

Accepted Answer

Start with a long-term goal (e.g., improve your 100m sprint time by 0.5 seconds in 3 months). Then break it into short-term goals: weekly targets like 'complete 3 sprint drills each session' or 'reduce reaction time by 0.05 seconds each week'. Make each short-term goal SMART and review them regularly to stay on track.

Question 4

Can goal setting actually improve performance in sport?

Accepted Answer

Yes, research shows goal setting enhances performance by directing attention, increasing effort, and promoting persistence. For example, a basketball player who sets a goal to 'make 8 out of 10 free throws in practice' will focus more on technique and practice harder than someone with no goal. However, goals must be challenging yet realistic to be effective.

Question 5

What are common mistakes students make when answering exam questions on goal setting?

Accepted Answer

A common mistake is confusing outcome and performance goals. Another is not using specific sporting examples – just defining terms loses marks. Also, students often forget to evaluate the effectiveness of different goal types. Always discuss pros and cons, and link to real sports like football, swimming, or gymnastics.

Question 6

How does goal setting link to other topics in sports psychology?

Accepted Answer

Goal setting is closely linked to motivation – setting achievable goals can boost intrinsic motivation. It also connects to feedback: goals provide a benchmark for feedback (e.g., 'you achieved your target time'). Additionally, goal setting works with mental rehearsal – visualising achieving a goal can improve confidence and performance.

Goal setting

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Related Topics in OCR GCSE Physical Education

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Applied anatomy and physiology

Applying the principles of training

Characteristics of skilful movement

How to Revise Goal setting — OCR GCSE Physical Education

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