A strong goal should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Complete the fields in the order below.
SSpecific
MMeasurable
AAchievable
RRelevant
TTime-bound
1Development Area▼
Give your goal a short, clear title that identifies what you want to develop.
Examples
- Tackle technique
- Breakdown decision-making
- Defensive communication
- Passing accuracy
- Match preparation
Avoid broad titles such as “Rugby”, “Fitness” or “Get better”.
2Category▼
Select the category that best matches your goal:
- Technical: How you perform a particular skill.
- Tactical: How you read the game and make decisions.
- Physical: Strength, speed, fitness, mobility or recovery.
- Mental: Confidence, focus, emotional control or resilience.
- Lifestyle: Sleep, nutrition, routines or preparation.
- Leadership: Communication, responsibility and influencing others.
3Specific Focus▼
Describe exactly what you will do differently. Begin with an observable action verb and focus on something within your control.
“I will [action] [specific skill or behaviour] during [situation or context].”
“I will scan both sides of the breakdown before receiving the ball during team training and matches.”
Avoid vague statements such as “I want to improve my decision-making.”
4Why This Matters▼
Explain how the goal will support your performance, your role or the team.
“This matters because it will help me to [performance benefit or team contribution].”
“This matters because it will help me recognise space earlier and make better attacking decisions.”
5Success Criteria▼
Describe the evidence that will show whether you are progressing.
“I will know I am making progress when [measurable or observable evidence].”
Progress may be measured through
- A number, percentage or time
- Coach feedback
- Video evidence
- Training performance
- Match performance
- Testing results
- Consistent completion of a behaviour
“I will know I am making progress when I scan before receiving the ball in at least eight out of ten reviewed situations.”
6Practice Action▼
Record the actions you will complete to work towards the goal. Explain what you will do and how often you will do it.
“I will [practice action] [frequency] to develop this goal.”
“I will complete two scanning and decision-making activities each week and review five relevant video clips with my coach.”
A strong practice action explains
- What you will do
- How often you will do it
- Where or with whom it will happen
7Review Date and Status▼
Choose a realistic date when you and your coach can review your progress.
At the review, consider
- What progress have I made?
- What evidence do I have?
- What helped me improve?
- What still needs attention?
- Should the goal be continued, adapted or completed?
A new goal should begin with the status “Not started”. Update the status once work on the goal begins.
Start with an action verb
Choose a verb that describes something you or your coach can observe.
Technical
ExecutePassCatchTackleCarryKickPresentBindLiftThrowAccelerateMaintainPositionCompleteControl
Tactical
ScanIdentifyRecogniseSelectDecideCommunicateAdaptOrganiseAnticipateRespondSupportTrackAnalyseReviewApply
Physical
IncreaseCompleteSprintLiftRecoverAccelerateMaintainImproveReduceDevelopPerformRepeatMobiliseStabiliseRecord
Mental and Lifestyle
PrepareFocusResetReflectVisualiseRegulateRecordFollowCompleteEstablishMaintainManagePractiseRespondReview
Leadership
LeadCommunicateOrganiseSupportEncourageGuideChallengeClarifyInitiateDemonstrateCoordinateListenReviewProvideModel
⚠️ Avoid vague goals
Avoid beginning a goal with:
- I want to…
- I hope to…
- I will try to…
- I want to get better at…
- I need to improve…
Replace these phrases with a clear action verb, a specific behaviour and measurable evidence.