Setting goals for training
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can set SMART goals to improve my athletic performance.
Key learning points
- Move: performing at our very best when running requires applying the correct technique consistently.
- Think: tweaking technique before training to achieve a goal gives you a better chance of making progress.
- Think: understanding a realistic level of improvement helps you set a SMART goal that is achievable and relevant to you.
- Feel: reflecting on what you could improve helps you feel more in control of your development.
- Connect: giving focused feedback on technique and discussing your SMART goal helps you support each other’s progress.
Keywords
SMART goal/target - a clear goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound
Improvement - making gradual progress in fitness or performance
Technique - how well a movement is performed, including posture, rhythm and coordination
Common misconception
Pupils often struggle with setting a realistic goal for themselves, often have plans that are too ambitious for the time available or opportunity to train towards it.
Pupils should be aware that progress over several weeks can be marginal and that fitness gains take time and consistency. They can use the resources provided to help set realistic goals.
Teacher tip
Beware that the acronym SMART can vary in different sources. For example, in GCSE PE, the “R” in SMART can represent different things depending on the exam board (OCR = recorded, Pearson = relevant). For this unit, SMART refers to Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound.
Equipment
worksheets, prompt sheets
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What do we call a measurement taken to track improvement?
Q2.Which benchmark time indicates how quickly you can accelerate?
Q3.What can reflecting on your performance help you to do?
Q4.Why is accurate timing important?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which is a realistic improvement in 10 weeks?
Q2.What does setting a SMART target help with?
Q3.Why get qualitative feedback on technique?
Q4.How should you act as the observer during qualitative analysis?
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Setting goals for training, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Setting goals for training, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 3 physical education lessons from the Athletics: fitness development of pace or power unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.