I AM CURRENTLY COACHING WOMENS ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS AT PUITE A HIGH LEVEL AND WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD HELP ME DECIDE IF IT WOULD HELP MY GYMNASTS IF I WAS TO SET THEM GOALS AND IF IT WOULD WERE SHOULD I SET THESE?

-- LOUISE GALLAGHER (68699212@mmu.ac.uk), February 18, 2000

Answers

Dear Louise...

I'm not an expert, but as an athlete, and a future coach (hopefully), I would definitely recommend helping your athletes set goals, but I would NOT set goals for them. Instead, talk with them and help them develop goals of THEIR OWN. Fundamentally, it's THEIR performance. These girls probably have enough pressure to perform for you as it is. If you set goals for them, it may actually be detrimental to their performance in the long run. However, helping them develop goals of their own would develop a pattern for achievement and assessment throughout their athletic career. Goals are a good thing, don't be afraid to introduce them to your girls! :)

Best of Luck...Thea

-- Thea Stoll (ts176@barnard.columbia.edu), March 05, 2000.