Three Kinds of Goals for the Volleyball Serve

Students try out the three kinds of goals on the volleyball serve: outcome goals (winning), performance goals (percentage of serves in) and process goals (one technical detail). Then they write their own SMART goal and test it in the same lesson.

How to play

1. Explain outcome, performance and process goals and the SMART criteria with examples; each student writes on the worksheet what percentage of serves they think they get in (4 min).
2. Baseline test in pairs: 10 serves from the end line; the partner records in, out and hits on the hoops placed on the other side (6 min).
3. Each student writes three goals for their serve, one of each kind, and the partner checks whether they meet the SMART criteria (5 min).
4. Second set of 10 serves thinking only about the process goal, such as 'arm straight, hit with the heel of the hand' (6 min).
5. Mini-competition in trios of 10 serves, adding up hits on the hoops (5 min).
6. Compare the data: which goal helped the most and which one they will keep for the next four weeks (4 min).

Rules

• Only the student whose turn it is serves; the rest wait behind the end line or off to the side.
• Balls are collected on the signal, never while someone is serving.
• The process goal must be something the partner can observe.
• Record data honestly, without rounding up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: serve seated from closer to the net with a light ball.
• Hearing impairment: signal set changes by raising an arm, and work on goals in writing.
• Overweight or low fitness: may choose the underhand serve and rest between sets by recording data.

Learning goals

• Distinguish outcome, performance and process goals.
• Write a SMART goal for a specific skill.
• Use data to check the effect of focusing on the process.

Equipment for a class of 25

• volleyballs: 15
• volleyball nets: 2
• worksheets: 30
• hoops: 8

Teacher tip

If nets are scarce, string a rope between two posts. Keep the worksheets to review the goal after four weeks.

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