Keep Your Athlete Fired Up, Focused, and Loving the Game

At A3 Sports Performance, we’re all about helping young athletes unlock their full potential, not just during a single season, but all year long. One of the best tools we use to fuel that drive? Goal setting.

When done right, setting goals isn’t just about chasing a faster sprint or a heavier lift, it’s about building confidence, creating momentum, and teaching life-long skills that go far beyond the field.

Here’s how you can use goal setting to keep your young athlete motivated through every season (and every setback)!

Step 1: Set “Mini” & “Macro” Goals

Break it down! Big goals—like “make varsity” or “get a scholarship”—are exciting, but they can feel far away. That’s where mini goals come in. We help athletes set smaller, actionable goals like:

• Add 10 lbs to their squat
  
• Improve sprint time by 0.2 seconds
  
• Complete 10 perfect push-ups
  

Small wins create momentum. They keep athletes excited and remind them that progress is happening right now.

Step 2: Make It Personal

The most powerful goals come from the athletes, not just parents or coaches. At A3, we always ask:
“What do you want to achieve?”

When kids feel ownership over their goals, they’re way more likely to stay committed and motivated. Whether it’s becoming faster, stronger, or just more confident, they’re in the driver’s seat, and we’re there to guide them.

Step 3: Keep It Year-Round

Off-season? That’s goal-setting gold. While other athletes slow down, we help our clients shift focus:

• Off-season = build strength and recover
  
• Pre-season = ramp up power and speed
  
• In-season = stay sharp and injury-free
  

By adjusting goals to match the training calendar, athletes stay engaged and avoid burnout.

Step 4: Celebrate Progress (Not Just Perfection)!

We don’t wait for “perfect.” At A3, we celebrate every milestone (big or small). Hit a new PR? Nailed a drill you’ve been working on? That’s a win!

Recognizing growth builds confidence and teaches athletes that success is a process, not just a destination.

Step 5: Revisit, Reflect, Rework

Goals aren’t set in stone. They grow as your athlete grows. That’s why we do regular check-ins to adjust goals, reflect on challenges, and reset where needed. It keeps things fresh and keeps motivation high.

Why It Matters

When young athletes learn how to set and chase goals, they’re not just becoming better players, they’re learning how to show up, stay focused, and push through. These are skills they’ll use for life.

At A3, we use goal setting as a foundation for everything we do because we believe every athlete should train with purpose, not just pressure.

Let’s Set the Next Goal Together

Want to help your athlete stay motivated, focused, and confident all year long? Our coaches are here to build a custom game plan tailored to their goals, sport, and potential.

Let A3 help your athlete crush their next goal with purpose, passion, and a whole lot of high-fives! 

To make a Game Plan together, book a free session with our Athletic Advisor here.