The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship social support, perceived ability and goal orientation of gymnasts. For accomplishing these purposes, middle and high school, college gymnasts who registered at Korea Gymnastic Association were chosen as population, and 132 subjects were selected using the cluster random sampling method from Seoul and Kyunggi-Do. The data for the study were collected through the survey questionnaires, social support scale was developed by Cohen and Hoberman(1983) and standardized in Korean language by Moon(1988). Perceived ability scale was developed by Mahoney(1988) and standardized in Korean language by Lee(1998) and goal orientation scale was developed by Nicholls and Duda(1989) and standardized in Korean language by Seong(1994). The statistical methods utilized were standard multiple regression analysis and path analysis. The conclusions of this study were obtained as follows; First, the social support of gymnasts influences on the perceived ability. In detail, the higher self-esteem support of gymnasts, the higher perceived ability. Second, the social support of gymnasts influences on the goal orientation. In detail, the higher evaluation support of social support, the higher self commitments, and the higher self-esteem support of social support, the higher assignment commitments. Third, the perceived ability according to the social support of gymnasts influenced on the goal orientation. Lastly, the social support of gymnasts increases goal orientation. That is the goal orientation have an direct effects by social support of gymnasts and indirect effects by perceived ability.