When is the best time to consider goals for the season for personal and team development?

• A. Mid-season
• B. End of the season
• C. Beginning of the session
• D. After competition

Answer: (C)

Setting goals at the start of the season gives a clear direction for both personal and team development. When targets are established early, athletes and coaches can shape practice plans, skill work, and game strategy around those aims, building momentum and ensuring every session pushes toward the same outcomes. Early goal setting also creates built-in checkpoints throughout the cycle, making it easier to monitor progress, adjust training loads, and learn from feedback. Waiting until mid-season or after competition limits how much you can influence development because the focus shifts to immediate results or post-season reflection rather than guiding ongoing growth. End-of-season reviews are valuable for learning and planning next steps, but they’re retrospective, not a driver for the current season’s growth. Starting with goals sets a purposeful plan that can be executed and measured across the whole season.