Comments on: Soccer: What Everybody Ought To Know About Goal Setting

By: Abe

Abe — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:12:33 +0000

I hate to come across as shamelessly plugging my company but anyone following this discussion of goal setting and tangible player development metrics should find what we’re doing with http://www.iSoccer.org very interesting. iSoccer is an objective, quantifiable, comprehensive technical assessment that allows players to benchmark their technical level, identify strengths and weaknesses, target their training, and set tangible improvement goals. Rather than writing everything on paper, we provide a set of tools for players to set goals, create training programs, and track their progress online. We also have a library of 500+ individual training exercises (videos) that players can customize like an iTunes playlist and download to their iPod for personal training without a trainer.

Someone made the comment about “noticing the difference.” This can be a challenge because soccer is such a subjective game. By quantifying technical ability as we have done, it’s easy for players, parents, and coaches to “notice the difference.” When players see a short-term, attainable goal they are motivated to work for it. When they see their effort paying off by achieving their goals, they are motivated to continue putting in the effort. Seeing other players of similar age with a slightly higher skill level is also a great motivator. There is a wealth of research behind the motivation of competition and self-modeling (check Albert Bandura’s research on self-efficacy, Anders Erickson on expert performance, and Anson Dorrance’s concept of the “competitive cauldron”).

My apologies for the product plug but I thought this post was so consistent with the founding principles of iSoccer that sharing would be a relevant contribution to the conversation.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:43:28 +0000

@Coach Mark
Sounds Good, when the time is right we can hook up on Skype and discuss what you have in mind.

By: Coach Mark

Coach Mark — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:12:39 +0000

Thomas,

Yes, we talked about a number of things a while back. It was a pleasure talking with you. I have something coming out soon that I think your readers will absolutely love. I’ll look you up when it’s finalized.

In the meantime, great job on the Blog/articles. Good stuff!

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:01:32 +0000

“Notice the difference”. Very basic and complicated at the same time. Love it. Keep up the great work.

By: giber

giber — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:40:48 +0000

I like truly liked the response you gave to Anon. As much as parents and/or coaches would like to speed up the learning process of a young athlete, we must respect the athletes’ developmental process.

it is great that a kid is dreaming to play at a world cup at a young age. this is how all of great and exceptional athletes accomplish extraordinary things…with a dream in mind.

also, at the age of 5 the main focus should not be to start specializing a particular sport, but on developing the multilateral skills to build a good overall solid athletic foundation. this focus will help a young athlete become an efficient mover and be ready to transition into the later stages of athletic development.