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Stay in the game when injuries strike
Justis column: Don’t let injuries sideline you completely
No parent, coach or player sees any positives in injuries. Few involved see any way of growing through injuries.
But since injuries are bound to occur, we might as well become more present in how we support players during this time on the sideline.
My 13-year-old grandson recently fractured his foot in the first game of a basketball tournament. Thankfully surgery was not required, but two weeks on crutches and four weeks in a boot followed by slow return to full activity resulted in an end to his summer basketball season and spring track season, along with missing the first of two football summer camps.
It was devastating for my grandson and a lot of disappointment for his family, coaches and teammates.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees has explained during one of his injuries when he was sidelined watching his backup on the field, he visualized the reps with such intensity he imagined he was in the huddle calling the plays himself.
Research has shown visualizing reps can be nearly as effective as doing the reps — not just for plays or decision-making, but it also can help improve muscular strength. No kidding.
When injured, we can improve our technical skills and our athleticism by “paying attention” and by visualizing we are an active participant.
Being sidelined creates circumstances for players to grow as leaders and adopt a more selfless mindset. Coaches can look for opportunities to put the injured in situations where they can help the team when not playing.
Thrive On Challenge in a recent article lists three ways coaches can support injured players and how to keep them engaged.
- Player improvement plan. Make time for a one-on-one sessions with the player to create a plan to maximize their time to grow. Specific commitments should be made by the coach and the player to set expectations and ensure success. Share this with parents and teammates.
- Clarify role. When it comes to planning practice or preparing for a game, avoid giving the injured grunt work. Give them real clarity on their role and the ways it can be valuable by allowing them to coach a team in practice or asking for their input during practice or games.
- Connect with the player. Get clarity on how you can support each player specifically during their injured time. You want the player to remain connected to the program during this time.
“(As the coach), you also have a very important opportunity to communicate through your actions that a player’s value is not determined by what they can do for you on the field or the court. You want them to feel valued and cared for because they are a member of your team.”
“Elevating Your Game” by Jim Thompson encourages the athlete to get professional rehabilitation information from trainers, doctors and physical therapists and to approach rehabilitation like it was practice and games. My grandson’s doctor encouraged him to look online for quarterback drills he could do while sitting in a chair.
“Celebrate wins along the way,” Thompson writes. “Given the right effort, the result — your good health — is likely to take care of itself.”
Thompson also noted you should recognize injuries can have an upside.
“Use injury time to work on areas that you can improve on without compromising your recovery.”
An example would be using your left hand for dribbling and shooting when the right side of your body is injured.
Resist the pressure to come back too soon. Return only when fully healed.
Ask the coach how you can help the team. Mentor younger players? Chart statistics during a game? Serve as the team’s journalist, writing stories for the school paper or website? Our grandson attended almost every track practice and nearly every meet to support his teammates.
Unfortunately, the youth sport culture’s focus is primarily on preparing athletes for performance, not periods of non-performance. You can’t meditate yourself out of injury like you can pregame anxiety.
Positive Performance Training notes injured athletes may suffer from a loss of identity, sports PTSD, increased stress, loss of group identity and depression.
“One of the most valuable pieces of advice for the injured athlete is to remain with the team, and not become isolated.”
Injured players have more opportunities than they realize to grow, contribute to the team and to add to their own performance. Being sidelined can be a good thing.
- It’s the break you always needed but never got. Take the mandatory down time to sit back and enjoy life. Read a book, take a vacation, sleep or do that thing you’ve wanted to do but couldn’t because sports kept getting in the way.
- Down time doesn’t mean you can’t work out. Competitive sports are largely mental. Focus on honing your visualization, breathing and other mental preparations. You may find yourself playing better.
- On the field, encourage and motivate teammates who are benched or waiting to play. Help teammates warm up or cool down. Talk with them about their performance, and cheer them on.
- Off the field, assist in the weight room by spotting, clocking and encouraging; get to know your teammates on a different level, and study the scouting report. Be a positive influence despite the disappointing situation.
- When injured, you can see the game as a whole. You can pay attention to team dynamics, see fans in the stands, can pay attention to the game within the game — tactics, mental games between opponents, the momentum swings and what causes them.
Nancy Justis is a former competitive swimmer and college sports information director. She is a partner with Outlier Creative Communications. Let her know what you think at njustis@cfu.net
In this Gazette file photo, an injured Solon basketball player helps his teammates warm before a game. Staying involved with your team during times of injury is important. (The Gazette)
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