In the sport realm, a coach and the team must be more concerned with task cohesion than with social cohesion. Increases in task cohesion will ultimately lead to success. Goals are an important ingredient of success and they play a major role in the development of individual athletes' skill and in the development of task cohesion. It is important to understand that success does not always mean winning. Not all teams have the ability to win, but they can all experience success through the accomplishment of goals.
Goals can help significantly in the development of task cohesion.
The coach and the team captains can provide leadership in goal setting, but ultimately, goals should be determined by the whole team. Developing the goals together gives all athletes a sense of ownership and assures commitment. If everyone owns the goals, everyone will work together to achieve the goals. Goals should be realistic and specific. Goals which state that the team will win every game in the season or will win the season championship do not motivate throughout the season.