Setting goals is one of the most powerful ways to help children grow—not just in sport, but in confidence, resilience, discipline and self-belief. As parents, you play a bigger role than you might think. The way you support, guide and communicate around goal-setting can shape how your child approaches challenges for the rest of their life.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know: how to set goals with your child, how to keep them motivated, how to avoid pressure traps, and how to make goal-setting a positive, empowering part of their squash journey (and life journey).

Let’s dive in.

Why Goal-Setting Matters for Kids

Children who learn to set goals early develop:

• A clearer sense of direction
• Confidence in their ability to improve
• Stronger motivation and ownership
• Better emotional resilience
• Problem-solving habits that last into adulthood
• A growth mindset (one of the biggest predictors of long-term success)

Whether your child is learning to rally, competing in tournaments, or balancing school and sport, effective goal-setting becomes a roadmap for their progress.

Start With the Magic Question:

“What do you want?”

Before numbers, benchmarks or targets come into play, the first step is making sure the goal belongs to your child—not you.

Sit down and ask open-ended, curiosity-driven questions such as:

• “What would you love to get better at this season?”
• “What part of your game makes you happiest?”
• “If you could do anything on a squash court, what would it be?”
• “What do you feel proud of right now?”

This opens the door for honest conversation and reveals the goals that actually motivate them.
Children don’t need perfect answers—they need space to think.

Why this matters:
When kids choose their own goals, they work harder, stay more engaged, and experience a deeper sense of achievement. It becomes self-driven progress rather than parent-driven pressure.

Introduce the SMART Framework (Without Making It Sound Like Homework)

SMART goals aren’t just for business meetings—they’re perfect for kids when explained in simple terms.

S – Specific

Clear, defined goals help children understand exactly what they’re working on.

Instead of:
❌ “Get better at squash”
Try:
✔ “Improve my serve so I can hit 6 out of 10 into the target area.”

M – Measurable

Kids love to see progress. Measurable goals make improvement visible.

A – Achievable

Goals should stretch your child—but not break them.
If it feels impossible, motivation disappears fast.

R – Relevant

The goal should connect to your child’s interests, dreams or needs—not someone else’s.

T – Time-bound

Deadlines give structure.
“By the end of the school term…”
“By the next training block…”
“Over the next 6 weeks…”

A SMART example for a junior squash player:
“In the next 8 weeks, I will practice my backhand crosscourt twice a week and aim to use it confidently in matches by the next junior event.”

Break Big Goals Into Stepping Stones

Large goals can feel intimidating for kids.
The trick is to turn them into bite-size, winnable steps:

• Week 1–2: Learn the technique
• Week 3–4: Add accuracy
• Week 5–6: Add movement
• Week 7–8: Use in match play

Each step becomes a mini victory.

You can create a goal ladder, a progress chart, or even simple stickers on a calendar. Kids love visuals—and visuals reinforce momentum.

Plan for Setbacks (Because They Will Happen)

Teaching kids to expect obstacles doesn’t make them pessimistic—it makes them resilient.

Ask:

• “What might make this goal harder?”
• “What can we do if you get stuck?”
• “How will you bounce back if you miss a session or have a bad match?”

Normalise challenges. Let them know:

“A setback doesn’t end the goal. It’s just part of the journey.”

This builds emotional armour and encourages problem-solving.

Your Role as a Parent: Support Without Taking Over

This is where balance matters most.
Your child doesn’t need a coach at home—they need a supporter.

Do:

✔ Listen to how they feel
✔ Ask questions instead of giving orders
✔ Celebrate effort as much as results
✔ Help reflect: “What went well? What’s next?”
✔ Encourage perseverance
✔ Create an environment where growth feels safe

Don’t:

❌ Push your own goals onto them
❌ Compare them to other children
❌ Criticise mistakes
❌ Turn every conversation into performance analysis
❌ Focus only on winning

A parent’s belief is one of the strongest motivators a child can have.
Make sure they feel it.

Weekly Check-Ins: The Secret Weapon

A simple 10–15 minute weekly check-in works wonders.

Try asking:

• “What are you proud of this week?”
• “What went better than last week?”
• “What do you want to focus on next week?”
• “Anything you’re finding tough?”

These questions keep the focus on growth—not pressure.

Make this routine relaxed, positive and child-led.

Let Them Adjust the Goal (This Is Not Failure)

If something isn’t working, change it.

Young athletes often grow faster when they learn:

• Adaptation
• Self-reflection
• Honest communication
• Flexibility

A goal that evolves with your child is stronger than one that stays rigid.

Link Sport Goals to Life Skills

One of the biggest gifts of sport is that its lessons spill into every part of life.

Goal-setting teaches children:

• Confidence
• Responsibility
• Time management
• Planning
• Self-discipline
• Emotional regulation
• Resilience
• Ownership of their journey

These are life-long advantages—not just squash advantages.

Avoiding Common Goal-Setting Mistakes

Parents often fall into well-intentioned traps:

❌ Setting too many goals
Kids become overwhelmed.

❌ Setting goals for them
This kills motivation.

❌ Focusing only on winning
Results matter—but growth matters more.

❌ Critically reviewing every session
Kids need space to process, enjoy and breathe.

❌ Linking love or approval to achievement
Praise effort, behaviour and values—not outcomes.

A Simple Parent–Child Goal-Setting Routine You Can Start Today

STEP 1 – Chat (5 minutes)

Ask:
“What do you want to get better at this month?”

STEP 2 – Pick ONE main goal

Not three. Not five.
One.

STEP 3 – Make it SMART

Write it down together.

STEP 4 – Create 2–3 mini goals

These are the stepping stones.

STEP 5 – Put it somewhere visible

Whiteboard, calendar, notebook, fridge—anything.

STEP 6 – Weekly check-in

Short, positive, focused.

STEP 7 – Celebrate progress

Progress = success.
Always.

Final Thoughts: Your Support Makes the Difference

Children don’t need perfection. They need presence.

Goal-setting is a tool—not for creating pressure, but for helping them:

• see their own improvement
• develop belief in themselves
• grow as players and people
• enjoy the journey, not just the destination

Your encouragement, empathy and involvement will guide them to build habits that last a lifetime.

They’ll step on court—and into life—with confidence.

Want More Support?

Explore our other blogs:

“Playing Tips” category: https://oliversquash.co.uk/category/playing-tips/

“Mental Tips” category: https://oliversquash.co.uk/category/mental-tips/

Main blog page: https://oliversquash.co.uk/blog/