How To Talk To An Athlete After An Injury

ByBrooke Olsen

4 min read

How To Talk To An Athlete After An Injury

If your child is an athlete, the inevitable reality is that they will experience an injury.

Five weeks into his sophomore football season, my son broke his elbow during football practice and was sidelined for the rest of the year.

Was it tragic? Yes. Having recently moved to the area, my son was relatively unknown in recruiting circles but had a singular dream of playing D1 football. A solid sophomore season of film was important to getting his recruitment rolling but, suddenly, that was no longer an option. Rather than stats and highlights, we shifted our focus to his recovery in order for him to return to the field stronger than ever.

Our first priority was finding the right medical team and repairing the injury as quickly as possible. Next, we turned to rehab, realizing that this would include rehab of his mind as well as his body. Injuries are trauma and trauma affects performance.

So, while we left the physical rehab to the professionals, we tackled the mental rehab ourselves. Through conversations with coaches and sports psychologists, we broke his mental rehab into 3 parts:

Emotion
Anyone who has experienced trauma or a loss knows about the 5 stages of grief: denial/isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

An injury is no different.

Your child may experience all of the stages or just a few, but it is important to let them know that whatever emotion they are feeling is totally okay. Tell them that you are available to help them process their emotions. And if they don’t want to talk about it, let them know that you are supportive and available for whenever they need you.

At the risk of being annoying, I made it a habit to “check in” with my son daily and would ask questions like;

  • “What does it feel like when your teammates are getting their ankles taped for practice while you are rehabbing your elbow?”
  • “What does it feel like to be in the locker room before the game?”
  • “What does it feel like to be on the sideline while your team is losing/winning?”

The importance of asking those questions was that it brought the emotion to the surface so that we could address it in real time and develop tools for self-talk, like;

  • “This rehab will make my elbow even stronger than before.”
  • “I’m more motivated than ever to do the things that will help my team win.”
  • “When I get a D1 football scholarship, I’ll know that I earned it.

    Identity
    A quick look into an athlete’s room or twitter account will show you that their identity is closely tied to being an athlete and a part of a team. When an injury keeps your child from being on the field, it affects how they perceive themselves.

    Encourage them to stay engaged. Their team is their community and, it is important to find a new role and contribute however they can while they are rehabbing. My son was an underclassman on a team with upperclassman who were exceptional leaders. He was fortunate to have supportive teammates and coaches who led him into a new role as an encourager during practice and games.

    As a way of affirming this new role, I would ask him about his teammates, with questions like:
  • “How is the offense looking?”
  • “What do you think the defense should be focusing on this week?”
  • “What is the WR/CB matchup looking like for Friday?”

Remind your child that this new role is temporary and support them as they channel their energy that would normally go towards competition to rehabbing.

Motivation
This is the fun one. Set micro goals and make them visible. It is important that your athlete sees progress so make sure they are attainable in the short term. Tape them to your child’s bedroom wall, put them on a white board and get excited when they hit their goals.

This is not the time to preach “All or Nothing." This is the time to say, “Anything is something."

For my son’s elbow injuries, there were critical time periods for regaining range of motion. If I’m honest, it was frightening. My son is a Tight End and he needs full
extension to catch balls. So, we set goals about the amount of time he would rehab each day and the degree of flexion that we wanted by Friday; all the while recognizing that the macro-goal was to be bigger, faster, stronger and in uniform.

Fast forward one year and my son IS bigger, stronger, faster and in uniform. Once he was cleared, he attended as many combines and showcases as he could to prove to himself and recruiters that he was healthy and could compete. He scheduled time with his QB to get film and submitted it to the GMTM Virtual Combine.

This past week, he committed to a Power-5 school and is more motivated than ever to help his team win games this season. Hopefully, he won’t have another injury. Realistically, I know that he likely will.

Fortunately, he now has a good foundation for how to respond if/when an injury happens again.


Brooke Olsen Roush is VP of the consulting firm, Know Your Strengths. She will tell you every year that the LA Rams are headed to the Super Bowl.

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
Recruitment Roadmap: Essential Tips & Resources for Athletes

Recruitment Roadmap: Essential Tips & Resources for Athletes

Are you an aspiring athlete looking to take your sports career to the next level? Whether you dream...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Jan 29 2024
The Recruiting Process Simplified: Tips for Athletes

The Recruiting Process Simplified: Tips for Athletes

Growing up, many athletes dream of hitting the game-winning shot. A stadium roaring with fans,...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Jan 02 2024
GMTM Launches New Recruiting Education Course

GMTM Launches New Recruiting Education Course

“How do I get recruited?" This is a question we hear from athletes all the time at GMTM. We know...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Dec 12 2023
Athlete Scholarships: Your Pathway to Success

Athlete Scholarships: Your Pathway to Success

Are you an athlete looking to unlock the path to your dreams with a college scholarship? Beyond...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Dec 07 2023
Beyond NCSA Athletic Recruiting: Get Ahead in Your Journey

Beyond NCSA Athletic Recruiting: Get Ahead in Your Journey

Navigating the recruiting landscape in sports can be difficult and complex. If you're an athlete,...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Nov 30 2023
What Do Coaches Want? Unlocking the Secrets of Athletic Recruitment for New Talent

What Do Coaches Want? Unlocking the Secrets of Athletic Recruitment for New Talent

Picture this: You're out on the field, giving your all, with the wind in your hair and the crowd's...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Nov 20 2023
Recruiting in Sports: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Recruiting in Sports: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Are you an athlete looking to uncover the keys to success in sports recruiting? Unlock your...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Nov 13 2023
How to Train for Football Combines & Camps

How to Train for Football Combines & Camps

The NFL combine is the ultimate opportunity for athletes to showcase themselves in front of NFL...

ByMathias Torp | Wed Nov 08 2023
5 Stages of College Recruiting Process

5 Stages of College Recruiting Process

The recruiting process can be compared to a funnel containing five specific stages. College coaches...

ByMathias Torp | Fri Nov 03 2023
Flag Football: Unlocking Your Path to Pro Sports

Flag Football: Unlocking Your Path to Pro Sports

Are you passionate about sports and dreaming of excelling in a new sport? Look no further than flag...

ByTiffany Allen | Fri Oct 13 2023
Recruiting for Football: The Ultimate Guide

Recruiting for Football: The Ultimate Guide

Are you a football coach or recruiter looking to build a winning team? Crucial for success on the...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Sep 11 2023
AFFL Opens Talent ID Event For Upcoming Pro Tryouts In Dallas & Three Other Cities

AFFL Opens Talent ID Event For Upcoming Pro Tryouts In Dallas & Three Other Cities

The American Flag Football League is hosting an in-person tryout for male athletes interested in...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Jun 29 2023
Sports Career Success: Tips for College and Pro Athletes

Sports Career Success: Tips for College and Pro Athletes

Sports come with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. As an athlete, pursuing a career in...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Jun 21 2023
Volleyball Recruits: 10 Tips For Acing The College Recruiting Process

Volleyball Recruits: 10 Tips For Acing The College Recruiting Process

The college volleyball recruiting process can be intimidating for high school athletes, but with...

ByOVA Team Ontario | Fri Jun 02 2023
Learn How USA Football Selects The Flag Football National Team

Learn How USA Football Selects The Flag Football National Team

The sport of Flag Football has continued to grow in popularity in recent years. The introduction to...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Jun 01 2023
'Is It Like Baseball?': Comparing Cricket to America's Pasttime

'Is It Like Baseball?': Comparing Cricket to America's Pasttime

Sports have a unique way of bringing people together through their differences and similarities....

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Mar 06 2023
How Many Scholarships Does Each Collegiate Sport Offer?

How Many Scholarships Does Each Collegiate Sport Offer?

It's time to start applying for schools and begin your recruiting process. You have been working...

ByJohnathan Wright | Tue Feb 21 2023
Sports Injuries and Insurance: Four Facts Parents & Recruits Should Know

Sports Injuries and Insurance: Four Facts Parents & Recruits Should Know

Injuries are a major part of athletics, and a high percentage of student-athletes competing in NCAA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Feb 07 2023
Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

The sports industry is undergoing rapid change, putting pressure on organizations to keep pace. To...

ByJoey Grant | Mon Feb 06 2023
Recruiting: 4 Simple Steps to Fix the Sports Industry’s Broken Process

Recruiting: 4 Simple Steps to Fix the Sports Industry’s Broken Process

“You aren't a recruit until a coach knows about you.” This is a quote about recruiting from a...

ByJoey Grant | Fri Feb 03 2023
Recruiting Rankings: Should I Be Worried If I’m Not A Ranked Basketball Player?

Recruiting Rankings: Should I Be Worried If I’m Not A Ranked Basketball Player?

Getting ranked - it’s the ultimate goal and source of motivation for many basketball players across...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Dec 04 2022
"What Is A 5-Star Recruit?": Explaining how high school basketball prospect rankings work

"What Is A 5-Star Recruit?": Explaining how high school basketball prospect rankings work

High School basketball players like Bronny James are all over TV and social media nowadays, with...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Dec 01 2022
College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

Many soccer athletes across the United States aspire to play their sport at the college level, and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 26 2022
College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

Playing volleyball at the collegiate level is almost every single player's dream as a young...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Nov 24 2022
Baseball Recruiting: Tips For How To Find A Showcase Team

Baseball Recruiting: Tips For How To Find A Showcase Team

It isn’t always easy to find a team that’s the right fit for you. It wasn’t easy for me. Some guys...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 23 2022
How To Improve Your Golf Game With A New Workout Routine

How To Improve Your Golf Game With A New Workout Routine

The potency of preparedness in winning all battles, from the most ferocious to the most trivial of...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 22 2022
Five Ways To Boost Your Basketball Recruiting with Social Media

Five Ways To Boost Your Basketball Recruiting with Social Media

Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, GMTM, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook... Social media is a...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sat Nov 19 2022
Which High Schools In America Produce The Most Female College Athletes?

Which High Schools In America Produce The Most Female College Athletes?

It may come as no surprise to hear parents want what is best for their children. If parents have...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 15 2022
How To Play Division-I College Football: Four Requirements For Every Athlete

How To Play Division-I College Football: Four Requirements For Every Athlete

It is no secret that it is often a young football athlete's dream to play their favorite sport at...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Nov 14 2022
How GMTM Helps Athletes Get Discovered

How GMTM Helps Athletes Get Discovered

At GMTM, we believe that Athletes shouldn’t be limited in what they can achieve based on their...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Nov 10 2022
Is playing Division-II college sports worth it?

Is playing Division-II college sports worth it?

Being a Division II collegiate athlete was one of the best experiences of my entire life. Having...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 08 2022
Five major benefits of playing at a large high school for hopeful recruits

Five major benefits of playing at a large high school for hopeful recruits

Quality of Competition Large high schools tend to have bigger athletic departments and budgets....

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 02 2022
Frequently Asked Questions About USA Weightlifting’s High School Throwdown

Frequently Asked Questions About USA Weightlifting’s High School Throwdown

In a free virtual combine called the High School Throwdown presented by Caffeine & Kilos, USA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Oct 31 2022
Eight Football Athletes Using GMTM To Find Opportunities To Play

Eight Football Athletes Using GMTM To Find Opportunities To Play

There doesn't seem to be a clear start and finish to the football season anymore. In today’s day...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Oct 28 2022
College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

The first step in getting recruited by a college volleyball team is to take advantage of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Oct 23 2022
The Four Best Quarterbacks Turned Wide Receivers in NFL History

The Four Best Quarterbacks Turned Wide Receivers in NFL History

Playing quarterback may be the toughest job in professional sports, with just thirty-two jobs in...

ByBryan Armetta | Sun Oct 16 2022
Three Tell-Tale Signs You Are Ready For College Sports

Three Tell-Tale Signs You Are Ready For College Sports

Plenty of high school athletes think they have what it takes to play sports in college. However,...

ByBryan Armetta | Thu Oct 13 2022
How Athletic Scholarships Work: A Quick Guide To Paying For College

How Athletic Scholarships Work: A Quick Guide To Paying For College

It is no secret that college is expensive, and as time goes on, the price continues to increase....

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Oct 11 2022
Think you can play college football? Here’s what to expect in the recruiting process

Think you can play college football? Here’s what to expect in the recruiting process

Playing college football is a dream for many high schoolers but the recruiting process can be...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Oct 06 2022
How To Run Faster: Five Best Strength Training Workouts For Track Athletes

How To Run Faster: Five Best Strength Training Workouts For Track Athletes

In order to be successful in track, athletes should devote a considerable amount of time to lifting...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 05 2022
College Lacrosse: Quick Guide To Watching The Sport This Season

College Lacrosse: Quick Guide To Watching The Sport This Season

First time watching lacrosse? Kinda complicated, right? Well, basically you're just trying to get...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 05 2022
How To Participate In The U.S. Aerials Ski Team Digital Combine On GMTM

How To Participate In The U.S. Aerials Ski Team Digital Combine On GMTM

If you’ve ever tried the sport of skiing, you’ve certainly felt the rush that comes when you speed...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 29 2022
Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Realistically, soccer coaches and managers look out for different things in soccer players during...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Sep 28 2022
Volleyball Recruiting: Nine Questions For Recruits To Ask Volleyball Coaches

Volleyball Recruiting: Nine Questions For Recruits To Ask Volleyball Coaches

Finding a good college, team, coach, and place to spend four years of your life is important and...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon Sep 26 2022
College Football: Five Stars Who Could Have Benefitted Most from NIL Ruling

College Football: Five Stars Who Could Have Benefitted Most from NIL Ruling

The NCAA's Division I Board of Directors announced a new...

ByBryan Armetta | Sat Sep 24 2022
College Sports: How To Pick The Right School To Attend

College Sports: How To Pick The Right School To Attend

Picking the right college can be a tough task for any high school senior, but it can be a unique...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Fri Sep 23 2022
Where Is The Sport Of Lacrosse Most Popular?

Where Is The Sport Of Lacrosse Most Popular?

Lacrosse has long been known as an east coast sport in the United States, but has seen growth...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 22 2022
What Does Redshirt Mean? And The Reasons Why Players Do It?

What Does Redshirt Mean? And The Reasons Why Players Do It?

Any athlete with a love for competition hates sitting on the sideline, but once he or she gets to...

ByCorey Roepken | Mon Sep 19 2022
Frequently Asked Questions For GMTM Users

Frequently Asked Questions For GMTM Users

Being a new platform working to revolutionize the way athletes are connected with opportunities is...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Sep 19 2022
What Every College Athlete Should Know Before Freshman Year Starts

What Every College Athlete Should Know Before Freshman Year Starts

The shift from high school to college is a big one. Throw playing a collegiate sport in and it can...

ByLily Ford | Sun Sep 18 2022