What are practice goals designed to do for players during training?

Practice goals are essential for enhancing the overall training experience for athletes. When practice goals are well-defined, they serve to promote focus and motivation among players.

Setting specific, achievable goals allows players to concentrate on particular skills or strategies during practice. This focus helps them understand what they need to work on and gives them a clear direction, which can cultivate a sense of purpose in their training sessions. Additionally, when players see progress towards their goals, it boosts their motivation, reinforcing their commitment to improvement and making training more engaging.

The other choices highlight aspects that do not align with the primary function of practice goals. For instance, while measuring weaknesses is a valuable analysis tool, it is not the goal of practice; rather, it is an outcome. Discouraging competition is counterproductive in a sport that thrives on competitive spirit and development, and defining player positions, while necessary for team structure, is not the central aim of practice goals. Thus, the emphasis on focus and motivation aligns perfectly with the intent behind setting practice goals in training.