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SMART Target Setting

Turn a wishy-washy "get fitter" into a target that actually drives improvement. Learn the five parts of a SMART target and how to judge whether a goal is well set.

⏱️ 12 min 🎯 12 activities
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What you'll cover

Set a target that works

In sport, a good target turns a vague wish like "get fitter" into real improvement. The best way to set one is to make it SMART. A SMART target is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. This module works through each letter and shows how to judge whether a target is well set.

The SMART letters

Each letter is one part of a good target:

What does the A stand for?

In the Edexcel SMART model, what does the A stand for?

  • Achievable, within the performer's reach with effort
  • Accepted, agreed by a coach
  • Ambitious, so it is very hard to reach
  • Automatic, needing no real effort

Match each SMART letter

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Realistic
  • Time-bound
  • Clear and precise about what to improve
  • Can be tracked with numbers
  • Within the performer's reach with effort
  • Suits the performer's time and resources
  • Has a set deadline

SMART or vague?

Compare a weak, vague target with a SMART one.

What makes it SMART?

Select the TWO features that help make a target SMART.

  • It can be measured with numbers
  • It has a clear deadline
  • It is vague, so it can never be failed
  • It is impossible, to push the performer hard

Mind the board wording

A grade-9 point: exam boards word the acronym slightly differently. Edexcel uses "achievable" for the A. Another board, AQA, uses "accepted" instead, so in your Edexcel exam always write achievable. Get all five right, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound, and apply them to a real performer's goal, and you reach the top marks.

Complete the acronym

A SMART target is _____, so it says exactly what to improve. It is _____, so progress can be tracked with numbers. The A stands for _____, meaning it is within reach with effort. It is _____, so it suits the performer. Finally it is _____, so it has a deadline.

specific measurable achievable realistic time-bound accepted vague impossible endless easy

Make it SMART

Turn the vague goal "get better at football" into a SMART target. Put the steps in a sensible order.

  • Say exactly what to improve: increase passing accuracy
  • Add a number to measure it: reach 80 percent accuracy
  • Check it is achievable with regular training
  • Check it is realistic for the time available
  • Add a deadline: by the end of the season

Tap the SMART targets

Tap the TWO targets that are properly SMART.

  • Swim 50 metres front crawl in under 40 seconds within 6 weeks.
  • Get much better at swimming.
  • Do more sport this year.
  • Increase my bench press from 40 kg to 50 kg within 10 weeks.
  • Become the best athlete in the world by next month.

Fix the target

A performer has set a weak target. Choose the change that makes it SMART.

  • A runner says "I want to run faster." What does the target need first?
  • A beginner sets the target "win an Olympic gold in 3 months." What is the main problem?
  • A target says "improve my 100 metre sprint to 14 seconds." What should be added to complete SMART?

Write a SMART target

A netball player wants to improve her shooting. Write a SMART target for her and explain how it meets all five parts of SMART.

  • Write one clear target for her shooting
  • Show how it is specific and measurable
  • Explain why it is achievable and realistic for her
  • State the deadline that makes it time-bound