S.M.A.R.T
It’s here, the new SEASON! Funnily enough, where I would normally be contemplating the year ahead from behind my sofa, I’m feeling oddly positive. No, I’m not usually all doom and gloom at the beginning of a season. It’s more because I know how much a season can take out of me. I might be alone, but fresh from a family holiday, a few books, and an incredible transfer window from Arsenal, I feel recharged, refocused and ready to go.
The reality check of a new season usually hits me so hard that I spend a month recovering; by then I feel like it’s a never-ending game of catch up. This season I’m determined to hit the ground running and chase more efficient coaching. Starting with how I train the athletes to be their own coaches and to see long-time vision. We’re getting S.M.A.R.T.
S.M.A.R.T is an acronym often given out to GCSE students as a starting point for accountability in sports progression. Then, once the exam is done, it’s forgotten about until one of the cohort decides to become a PT, or work in business. It’s a shame because, actually, it can be really useful. It can take a bit of time to set up and review but in terms of understanding process, or the ‘why’ of ‘what’ they’re trying to achieve. It can have a huge impact in an athletes journey.
Let’s break it down:
S | Smart | A clear description of what an athlete is trying to achieve and why. |
M | Measurable | How will success be measured? |
A | Achievable | Is there time and resources available for the objective to be accomplished? |
R | Relevant | Is the goal relevant to the athletes current ability and potential. |
T | Timely | When should the goal be achieved? |
Enter little Susie. She wants a BHS because she wants to be considered for a level 2 team season. Note I’ve written ‘wants to be considered’. What that actually translates to is, ‘once I get my BHS I expect to be on a level 2 team.’ So the initial conversation would be about managing expectations. A BHS is a fantastic skill to achieve and lots of athletes see it as a gateway into a whole new world of possibilities, which is fair. BUT the way cheerleading is now, a BHS for a level 2 team is the bare minimum. Even then, it might not be enough. So having that conversation is important because the rejection of not making the team she wanted, even though she did what she felt she needed to do, will be crushing. At AEC we shared videos with desired skills for tumble in the build up to tryouts, as did other teams, to helps with this. We also intend to have information up round the gym this season so there can be NO SURPRISES.
Back to Little Susie.
Specific | Susie wants to achieve her standing BHS. She has mastered all the key tumble components for level 1 and is ready for the demands of level 2. |
Measurable | A BHS can be a lengthy process. I’m confident Susie will be able to achieve the skill BUT what I think the skill should look like and she thinks the skill should look like may be two different things. Success will be the way I think the skill should look: with correct body positions etc. |
Achievable | The goal should be achievable because there’s plenty of time before tryouts, there are a number of slots in the gym to coach her, and we have ample resources to help her go through the progressions. |
Relevant | Susie has maxed out level 1 and is ready to progress to level 2. |
Timely
| We have 10 months to work through the progressions to achieve the BHS. If Susie commits, I see no reason why she shouldn’t be able to achieve this skill in preparation for tryouts.
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Agreeing the SMART goal is just the tip of the mountain. Setting a clear training plan is just as important. Attending the 1-2-1 once a week (or whatever the plan is) and doing nothing else will not be enough to achieve the skill. Susie will have to do some work from home.
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
Team training | Rest | Team Training + shoulder (resistant bands) core conditioning | 1-2-1 | General stretching and conditioning- dictated by feedback from 1-2-1 | Rest | Shoulder (resistant bands) and core conditioning |
When looking at it like this, it’s not surprising that the athletes really committed to our sport are the ones who excel. While conditioning may not take up loads of time, we’re still asking our athletes to be working progressions up to five nights a week. And that doesn’t take into account if they’re on more than one team! It’s not surprising that some athletes become so disillusioned when they don’t achieve their goals that they ultimately decide to leave. It’s a tough break. Hopefully Little Susie has the resilience to make it through!
This is a week plan. I’d recommend planning for a month in advance then evaluating at the end of each. This way new goals can be planned if there have been setbacks, or unexpected progressions. This way, the athlete can still see there is a set pathway for them, it just may have a few road works and diversions a long the way. We want them to understand that a setback isn’t an indication of potential, but rather an opportunity to build on the missing pieces to ensure they have a complete understanding of what it takes to perform a skill. If there appears to have been more setbacks than usual, it might be a good opportunity to have a conversation with the athlete about why this might be- you never know what you might find out and how important that conversation may be. Conversely, if a month is incredibly successful, that conversation is just as important because whatever worked can become part of the regular schedule.
The goal is to keep the standard high and progressions regular. Having that time to evaluate may seem like a time-vacuum BUT, in reality, you may be saving yourself a bag of time in the future.
Below, is a copy of the S.M.A.R.T form I intend to use this season. Feel free to download and use it. I’d also be happy to do you a personalised one with your logo and details, for the price of a coffee :-). If you’d be interested, drop me an email to beardrylls@gmail.com!