Recruiting Solutions: Setting Goals

Recruiting Solutions: Setting Goals

Setting academic, athletic and personal goals will help you navigate the recruiting process and find the college that is the right fit.

Jul 6, 2016 by FloVolleyball Staff
Recruiting Solutions: Setting Goals
Coaches, teachers, and parents will tell you setting goals is critical to achieving success.

As it relates to the collegiate recruiting process, set goals to define what you are looking for in a college program. College coaches will want to understand the goals you set for yourself. The last thing a coach wants to hear is that your goal is simply to earn a jersey on their team. This will not be enough to carry you through four years in a competitive program. Also, be aware that as you experience personal growth, your goals WILL change, and that’s OK.

A few years ago, I worked with a student-athlete whose goal was to play at the Division I level. Many coaches and teammates didn’t take her seriously, but each year, she worked hard, improved and earned a spot on the court. With a lot of dedication, she grew significantly over the years. She was a brilliant student, a good athlete and an awesome kid. Eventually, after improving her overall fitness and skills, she made a very competitive volleyball team in Southern California, and by the end of the season, cracked the starting lineup.

Remember, your goals may change over time and that is OK.

The athlete began to receive offers from Division I programs, but she discovered her goals had changed. Her focus was no longer competing at a Division I program, but competing in a high-level Division III program where she would have a chance to contend for an NCAA championship while earning a top-notch education.

Why am I sharing this story with you? Because, as this student-athlete navigated through the recruiting process, she recognized what was important to her. She created several S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measureable, adaptable and attainable, realistic, time-based) goals, and assessed them over time. She visited several schools, communicated with more than 60 programs and dedicated herself to finding the college that was the perfect fit.

Take the time to review the questions listed below and begin working on your S.M.A.R.T. goals. You should make academic, athletic and personal goals. These goals don't have to be focused around recruiting, but there should be a direct correlation between your goals and finding the perfect collegiate fit.

Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals


As a student-athlete, it's important to set S.M.A.R.T. goals!

What does S.M.A.R.T. mean?

S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Adaptable/Attainable
R: Realistic
T: Time-based


Setting goals improves motivation and helps maintain focus. Goals also help assess strengths and weaknesses, and aid you in tracking your performance throughout the season. I suggest establishing long- and short-term goals, pressing goals and intermediate goals. Sharing these goals with your coaches will show your commitment to your sport and yourself.

Coaches: Asking your athletes to set goals will allow you to provide constructive criticism, explain playing time choices and help your student-athletes remain focused throughout the season. I suggest asking your student-athletes to set their goals in the beginning of the season and review them frequently throughout the season.

Here are some questions you should ask as you start thinking about your goals:

  • What is one long-term academic goal you have? (This could be graduating with honors in college, becoming a doctor, etc.)
  • What is one long-term athletic goal?
  • What is one long-term personal goal?

Now set some short-term and intermediate academic, athletic and personal goals that will help you reach your long-term goals. This can be a bit overwhelming to tackle all in one day. It’s important that you take your time while creating S.M.A.R.T. goals. And it should be fun!

Write out your goals and put them up in two places where you will see them every day.

Pick one or two people to share your goals with. These people should support you and hold you accountable to your goals. I suggest a coach and a parent.

Take the time to review your goals on a monthly basis. It’s important to ask yourself if you are doing everything you can to achieve these goals. Remember, your goals may change over time and that is OK. Take the time to modify and reassess so your goals remain accurate and achievable.