Every parent wants their child to succeed in sports. But success doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built step by step. Helping to set REALISTIC GOALS for youth athletes the foundation for long-term athletic growth and confidence. Without them, young athletes risk frustration, burnout, or even injury.
So, how do you set goals that MOTIVATE rather than overwhelm?
Let’s break it down.
WHY REALISTIC GOALS FOR YOUTH ATHLETES MATTER
In my experience most athletes and parents really aren’t good at setting goals. Some are simply a wish ” I want to get faster, stronger, fitter” which is really much too vague as there’s no specific target to know you’ve achieved the goal. It’s a bit like saying “I want to go travelling”…it’s a nice start, but it doesn’t help us know WHERE, WHEN or HOW you want to go travelling!
Other times goals are set that really the athlete or parent doesn’t have much INFLUENCE in like “Win the championship” which sounds great, but it doesn’t really help us know what we need to FOCUS on to make it happen. In some ways it’s actually a bit of a DISTRACTION from the things that need to be worked on to make it happen! It’s like dropping a pin on a Google Maps – we’ve set the destination, but we still need a ROUTE to get there!!!
Often many parents fall into the trap of setting goals based on their OWN dreams rather than their CHILD’S abilities and interests. Others set goals that are too ambitious, leading to disappointment when progress is slow.
REALISTIC GOALS FOR YOUTH ATHLETES:
✔ Keep your child engaged and motivated
✔ Build confidence by celebrating small wins
✔ Reduce pressure and prevent burnout
✔ Help track progress over time
To create a clear roadmap to their goals, your youth athlete needs three types of goals:
1. OUTCOME GOALS (The Big Picture)
Outcome goals focus on end results—winning a championship, making the school team, or improving their ranking. These goals are EXCITING but often influenced by factors OUTSIDE your child’s control (like competition and selection policies).
🚫 DON’T: Only focus on results. This can lead to FRUSTATION and DISAPPOINTMENT if things don’t go as planned.
✅ DO: Use outcome goals as MOTIVATION while focusing on the next two goal types.
2. PERFORMANCE GOALS (Measurable Progress)
Performance goals are based on personal improvement rather than competition. These could be:
- Running a faster 20m time
- Increasing strength in a key exercise
- Improving shooting accuracy in penalty kicks
💡 TIP: Performance goals should be SPECIFIC and MEASURABLE. Instead of “get faster,” try “shave 0.2 seconds off my sprint time.”
3. PROCESS GOALS (Daily Actions)
Process goals focus on the HABITS and ACTIONS needed for success. These could be:
- Practicing passing for 15 minutes a day
- Stretching for 10 minutes every evening to improve flexibility
- Getting 9 hours of sleep every night
These are the most IMPORTANT goals because they create the FOUNDATIONS for success. Focus on these, and performance and outcome goals will follow!
HOW TO SET SMART GOALS
A great framework for goal setting is the SMART method:
✔ Specific – Clear and detailed (e.g., “Do 10 perfect push-ups” vs. “Get stronger”)
✔ Measurable – Trackable progress (e.g., “Run 5km in under 25 minutes”)
✔ Achievable – Challenging but realistic for your child’s ability level
✔ Relevant – Aligned with your child’s sport and interests
✔ Time-bound – Has a deadline (e.g., “Improve vertical jump by 3 inches in 3 months”)
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
🚫 Setting Unrealistic Expectations – A 10-year-old isn’t making the Olympics next year. Keep goals age-appropriate.
🚫 Focusing ONLY on Winning – Teach kids that improvement is success, not just trophies.
🚫 Neglecting the Mental Side – Confidence and mindset are just as important as physical ability.
🚫 Skipping the Fun – If the process isn’t enjoyable, kids will lose interest.
PARENTS: YOUR ROLE IN SETTING GOALS FOR YOUTH ATHLETES
As a parent, your job isn’t to push—it’s to SUPPORT. Here’s how:
🎯 Encourage Without Pressure – Let your child take ownership of their goals.
🎯 Celebrate Small Wins – Every improvement counts, no matter how small.
🎯 Model Goal-Setting – Show them how you set and achieve your own goals.
🎯 Be Patient – Progress isn’t always linear. Some days will be tough, and that’s okay.
READY TO HELP YOUR CHILD REACH THEIR POTENTIAL?
Setting goals for youth athletes is a GAME-CHANGER. When done right, it builds confidence, keeps them engaged, and sets them up for long-term success—not just in sports, but in life.
Start small. Focus on progress, not perfection. And most importantly, KEEP IT FUN!
Want expert guidance in your child’s athletic journey? Join The Athlete Academy and get access to PROVEN training methods that help young athletes develop safely and effectively.
