Goal setting is good for any skater, but it is one of the first steps needed to convert your non-competitive skating dreams into a competitive inline skating plan and eventually real inline skating achievements.
Why is goal setting for competitive inline skating so important?
A set of realistic goals are needed in competitive inline skating for the same reason you need driving directions, a map or a GPS navigation system when you go on a road trip in your car. Without reliable directions, any driver could make bad decisions and waste both fuel and time. If you want to be a competitive skater in any inline skating discipline, you need a set of very specific goals to lead you in the right skating direction without wasting a lot of precious skating career time.
Guidelines for your competitive inline skating goals:
- Know what your goals are for practice. These goals should include a short, medium and long term practice regimen.
- Work toward better time management. Time management includes making time for your skating training and events as well as making time for the other important activities and people in your life.
- Develop an ongoing plan for improving your core strength, leg strength and overall conditioning. This plan could include both on and off skate training.
- Evaluate your physical or technical weaknesses and set training goals that can help you resolve them before each competition, event or activity.
- Make sure to include good sports nutrition and hydration plans for all inline skating activities.
- Avoid, reduce or manage stress and build up your self confidence.
Sometimes competitive goals can be frustrating, and not everyone likes to set them because of the pressure to achieve that real goals may make you feel. But, there are many personal motivation-related goals that you can focus on that will help move you toward both competitive (or non-competitive) inline skating success. Any goals that you really feel passionate about and that are actually going to help your skating will be the ones you should choose to pursue and work to achieve.
Setting up a worksheet for your specific goals is just one of the things your inline skating coach or instructor can help you with in preparation for events, competitions or even skating proficiency tests. Take advantage of any goal setting supervision that your trainer has to offer. After all, providing this service for you may be part of their own teaching goals.
Should a non-competitive skater set goals?
A competitor always has goals - even if it is just participation in the next meet. But, non-competitive skaters can choose to have goals or do without them. Whether you compete or not, skating could get a little boring without any goals, plans or directions. Even if you are a new skater with simple goals - like skating backward or building enough stamina for a group skate - adding some direction to your skating will make each session more exciting, a little more challenging and a lot more fun. Setting goals and achieving them will help you own your sport and take pride in your accomplishments.
