Solution focussed coaching - Terms and conditions

A goal has the structure: “I want to achieve X.” The letter ‘X’ refers to a specific result or behavior. The problem with this statement is that there is no plan for how to achieve ‘X.’

To achieve a goal, the athlete needs a plan to exhibit a specific behavior in a certain situation. They must make agreements with themselves to make this controllable. These agreements are best formulated as implementation intentions.

Implementation Intentions

Simply put, an implementation intention is a plan. Implementation intentions serve the ultimate goals by specifying where, when, and how certain behavior must be displayed to achieve the goal.

Situation Description

Creating an implementation intention starts with thinking of and noting particular situations in which the athlete expects to be able to work on their goal.

For example, if the goal is:

The athlete wants to score using technique ‘Y.’

Then the situation could be described as:

When the athlete attends a technical training session…

In this case, the athlete knows that during a technical training session, they have the opportunity to work on technical skills. The athlete also knows that to improve technique ‘Y,’ they have to work on improving it. Improving the technique can lead to scoring using that technique.

Starting with the word ‘When’ helps steer the athlete toward describing a situation, rather than leaving it completely open. It is important that the coach clearly explains what situations entail.

Behavior Description

The next step in describing an implementation intention is to think of and note the specific behavior the athlete wants to show in the previously identified specific situation. The behavior must help achieve the goal.

For example, if the goal is:

The athlete wants to score using technique ‘Y.’

Then the situation is:

When the athlete attends a technical training session…

The behavior can then be described as:

Then I, as the athlete, will focus on working on technique “Y” and pay attention to accents “A” and “B.”

Here, the athlete knows that when attending a technical training session (situation), they want to work on the technique targeted by their goal and are aware of the specific points (“A” and “B”) to focus on to improve the technique (behavior and thoughts).

The word ‘Then’ helps the athlete think about what behavior they want to display in the stated situation to achieve their goal.

Why?

Various studies have shown that making ‘If… Then…’ plans increases the likelihood that the athlete will achieve their goals.

During their daily program, the athlete will more readily recognize situations they have described as opportunities to work on their goals.

When the athlete recognizes the situation and has decided on the behavior they want to display in that situation, the chances increase that it will actually happen. The athlete is mentally prepared for what is coming. Writing down the situation and behavior already creates a mental representation of both, which helps learning.

By writing the ‘Terms and Conditions’ as implementation intentions, coach and athlete ensure the athlete makes clear agreements with themselves about what to do in which situation to reach the ultimate goal, or part of it.

Additionally, this is easy to check during evaluations. The athlete and coach can conclude whether the planned behavior was exhibited in certain situations and whether it was successful.