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Smart goals are important when trying to improve performance in any sporting activity, because they ensure that improvement is efficient by setting goals that are:
- Specific - this refers to a goal not being general. For example, if someone had a goal to become better at long distance running, they should make this goal specific by aiming towards a longer distance with each training session, until they reach a specific distance, for example 5 kilometers of running without breaks.
- Measurable. A target should be measurable so that it can be easily observed and evaluated at any time. for example, if an individual had a target to become stronger and bulkier in appearance through weightlifting, they should make their target measurable by checking their progress through their weight, or by measuring the circumference of their bicep each week, so that they can observe changes and development of muscle mass.
- Achievable. This aspect of smart targets refers to the learner deciding on a target they know they can achieve.  Target can be challenging, but it is important to make a target achievable because otherwise a learner may lose motivation and give up due to them finding the process too difficult. If there is an overall goal that is unachievable, then the learner should break this down into smaller targets so that they can pace themselves and achieve the goal over time in a constructed way.
- Realistic. This can refer to when the time given for a goal is realistic. For example, if someone has a goal to lose 2 pounds by Christmas and it is currently October, their target is realistic because it is doable to lose that amount of weight in two months.
- Time-constrained. This is important because if a target does not have a specified time goal, then it is likely that the learner will forget about the goal, not break down the target, and even if they complete the goal, it is likely that it won’t be completed as early as if they were to have set a time limit.
Without goals having all of these characteristics, the chances of being able to achieve and stick to the goal is greatly reduced. Smart targets in coaching and fitness should relate to personal goals such as an individual's fitness level.

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There is a lot of planning and knowledge required for being a coach. A coach needs to make sure:
- The area being used has been risk assessed and that hazards are removed or dealt with. This is so that no one is injured during the session
- is first aid trained. This is so that should someone become unwell or injured, the coach can act accordingly and do what is best for that person to promote recovery.
- The session is planned to fit in with everyone taking part. This would include an option for disabled people and allow for a variation in ability among learners. For example if a coach was delivering a session for swimming, they might decide to give less able swimmers and beginners arm bands, to improve confidence, reduce risk and support them as they take part in the lesson.
- The group is controlled properly throughout the session. This especially applies to a coach that is teaching children, because some children might be challenging with regards to behaviour. In this case, a coach should be disciplined with the child/children and encourage the correct behaviour to keep them on task and promote learning.
- They adapt the session based on how it is going. An example of this would be to make for a basketball game with children, the basket ball hoop may have been lowered to match the ability level of the children. In this instance, the children could be scoring every time when practicing during the session. A good coach would adapt the session here by making the nets higher (the standard height perhaps), in order to keep the task challenging and not boring for the children.

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Delivering creative sports coaching sessions to children, young people and adults

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In this video, ConnectedCoaches member and Senior Fellow in Sports Coaching at the University of Winchester Richard Cheetham talks about what makes a good coaching session and why it's important to be a creative coach. One of his students demonstrates an innovative way he has devised to help tennis players practise their forehand technique.

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Improving Performance - simulation and conditioned practice

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Improving Performance - simulation and conditioned practice

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This is a great method for isolating specific areas within a sport and perfecting them through drills. a conditioned practice refers to a drill or warm-up activity that targets a certain technique or skill that may need to be worked on. for example, a football drill with extra attackers than the normal amount, to really focus on the defense and make the defenders work harder, using methods they have been taught. A simulation in training might involve a coach training their learner/s at altitude for marathon sunning to improve their aerobic endurance, or perhaps taking them to the same stadium that they compete in to train, in order to simulate a real competition environment. I think that simulation is a good technique for training because it would settle an athlete’s nerves should they compete in the same space that they training. Having said this, I think a disadvantage of the method would be the fact that it is not always possible to train in the same stadium/competitive area due to travelling or expenses.

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Interviews and SWOT analysis
interviewing sports professionals and athletes can be a useful method for improving performance because one can consider what that athlete finds difficult and how they would overcome a problem or obstacle in their sports career.
SWOT analysis refers to breaking down the analysis of a performance into four categories
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
- Opportunities
- Threats
this is useful because the activity is broken down into categories that can be individually observed and considered, ensuring every aspect of performance is worked on. consequently, improvement can be made in all areas of a technique to bring about the best possible outcome.

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In sports, it is really important that teaching is specifically tailored to the ways in which the learners process information. This is so that the learners can pick up skills and take in information to their best ability. A popular model among teachers for sports drills is to:
- Introduce and explain the technique
- Demonstrate the technique
- Practice
- Observe and analyse the participants
- Identify and correct errors

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Improving Performance - profiles and video analysis

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Improving Performance - profiles and video analysis

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There are several ways to improve performance among athletes.
Coaching Diaries and Logbooks
Diaries and logbooks can be useful because they document both performance details and personal thoughts, as well as logging training sessions. These methods are useful for self-reflection and evaluation.
Diaries are useful because they show an athlete's progress, and can motivate the performer when they look back and read what they have recorded previously.

Performance Profiles
A coach may devise a performance and training programme to help improve performance by analysing where an athlete is going wrong with their performing. A performance profile should tell the athlete about factors concerning them within training, such as confidence, anxiety levels, concentration, motivation etc. the performer will rate these factors on a scale of 1-10.

Video Analysis
A good way for a learner/performer to analyse and observe their own performance is to record themselves playing the sport and then to watch it over. Additionally, it is a good method because the coach can sit down with the performer and explain to them where they are going wrong by pausing the video and picking out the key areas for improvement, as well as dissecting and explaining the good performance so that it can be maintained and acknowledged by the performer. This advantage sets the technique of recording footage apart from other techniques, and I think this is one of the best methods for an athlete to truly understand how to improve their level of performance.

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The software aimed to improve performance in sport through video analysis. Made for coaches and staff of all levels... and all sports. Sports performance analysis allows coaches to evaluate individual or collective performances of their own team and their rival's.

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Image taken from toolshero.com ‘SMART goals’

Image taken from earlyyeasrshop.com

Image taken from fakingnews.com ‘Hawk Eye’

Video by: ConnectedCoaches. (2016), ‘what makes a good coaching session?’, YouTube.com (2018), available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC4IeS23PcE

Video by: Speller, T. E. (2014), ‘video sport analysis’, YouTube.com (2018), available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdATmtEU25k

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Improving Performance - notation analysis 

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Improving Performance - notation analysis 

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There are several techniques for notation analysis in sport, and this is a very useful technique because it allows detailed observation of performance. technology is used for notation analysis, for example in computerized notation analysis, there are methods for analyzing sport competition and training. These have been widely applied to racket sports such as tennis, where they use a Hawk Eye to determine where a ball has landed in cases where there is debate. this is an advantage because not only does it make games more fair, but it allows players to understand where they need to improve.
hand notation is where the analysis of a sport is recorded on a sheet of paper, using a programme or system that is predetermined with symbols. this system is popular and effective because it is inexpensive and instant, however it definetly requires a skillful recorder to get accurate results. additionally, this method  can be unreliable and low in validity due to human error, lack of standardisation (only one recorder present), difficulty to interpret, and affected negatively by bad weather conditions.

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Risk assessments should constantly be updated, reviewed, and kept and stored in a safe place. Depending on the sport, a risk assessment would need to be reviewed and edited frequently. For example with a sport such as weightlifting, a new risk assessment should be done each time the performer advances to a heavier weight or a new technique or programme, the risks should be reassessed. In the same way, if any learner or athlete were to change sport programme or advance in level of difficulty, it is both their and their coach's responsibility to update the risk assessment. .