It is important, whenever possible to state goals or objectives in specific, measurable, behavioral terms. Push for specificity in goal setting sessions --  it results in more meaningful, realistic, achievable goals. When statements of intent are specific and explicit the correlation with eventual behavior is much higher because people have a better understanding, feel more responsible and can be held more accountable.

The following dialogue illustrates the refining of a general goal into a more manageable specific goal:

SKATER: I want to win!

COACH: So do I...but what do we have to do to win?

SKATER: Well, I guess I have to practice better.

COACH: What specific things do you have to do to practice better

SKATER: For one thing I have to know my body positions better .

COACH: Right! You need to know where your body positions should be.

Similarly, rather than stating a nebulous general goal like "sportsmanship", specify the target behaviors whenever possible: e.g. congratulate your opponents after every skating meet, absolutely no mouthing off or scape goating about how bad the judging was, and so on.

Clear, specific behavioral and skill goals are inevitably more meaningful and achievable.

It is important for the coach and skater to strive for a consensus on goals. Discussion usually results in an acceptable compromise for all. People tend to be idealistic, optimistic and cooperative at the start of the skating year, and quickly recognize the utility of coming to an agreement. If goals are completely incompatible between coach and skater, the beginning of the year is the time to find out. This gives the individual an opportunity to adapt or find a coach/skater whose objectives are more compatible with their own.

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