Ways to Keep Injured Athletes Involved in Program

Participants in secondary school sports hopefully derive a great deal of personal joy and fulfillment from the time spent playing sports they love. Regardless of whether the participant is the star of the team or simply a role player, the individual gains benefits of participation in a sport at this level.

However, what happens when that player suffers a season- or career-ending injury? It is critical for the coaching staff and the athletic trainer(s) at the school to understand what is happening from the perspective of the injured athlete.

At any level athletes often have much of their identity wrapped up in playing their chosen sport. And, as we know, one of the inherent risks of participation in sports is injury. Most time-loss injuries resolve quickly, and the student does not miss much playing time. Unfortunately, sometimes the injury is more severe and causes a loss of the entire season or, worse, the career.

In those cases, athletes often lose their identity and they will, if not monitored, drift away from the very sport and students they love being around daily. It is critical that the coaching staff and athletic trainer monitor these students closely to help them navigate through these uncertain times.

When athletes are healthy, they know what their daily schedule is going to include: classes, practice, film study, weightlifting and time spent with their friends on the team in a multitude of activities. If a student’s season is cut short because of a major injury, the student believes there is a large hole to fill in the daily schedule.

Oftentimes the injured athlete will go through the five stages of grief as it relates to the end of the season. Not every athlete who suffers a season-ending injury goes through all five stages of grief, nor will the athlete spend the same amount of time in each stage, but it’s important for the school staff to recognize these stages and not dismiss them or worse simply “write off” and ignore the student.

The first stage of grief that most athletes go through is denial. They will say things like “I’m not that hurt.” “I can rest for a few weeks and then return.” “This injury doesn’t really need surgery. I’ll be OK.” It is important to not dismiss the athlete as being oblivious to the situation. Explanation from the medical provider or coach of a shared experience, such as losing a year of competition, may help here.

The next stage the injured athlete may go through is anger. The player may take it out on the person who delivered the news to them, whether that is an athletic trainer, doctor or other medical provider. That anger may be short-lived, or it may linger for quite a while. It is important for the adult staff to not take the anger personally. Hopefully the student does not stay in the anger stage very long because when the individual is in this stage it often drives away the very people the students considers his or her friends.

The next stage the athlete may go through is bargaining. The student-athlete will try to make a deal with the medical professional in order to participate. The student will say things like “If I do or don’t do these things then allow me to play,” or “My parents will sign a waiver so that I can play.” It is important for the coaching staff to remember that the medical provider holds the ultimate ability to return a player to participation from injury, and any “deal” that an injured athlete or the athlete’s parents try to make with the school should not override a medical evaluation.

The stage of grief that can be the most damaging for injured players is depression. Student-athletes have much of their identity wrapped in their participation, and when they cannot participate on the field of play, they lose themselves so to speak. They become depressed and withdraw. Their personal relationships may change. They may lose their academic drive, and their grades could suffer. They will often stop coming to practices and other team events. They will either consciously or unconsciously withdraw from the sport. That is when it is imperative that the coaching staff and athletic trainer pay close attention to the injured athlete’s activities and try to keep the person involved.

Since every athlete is different there is not a one-size-fits-all approach when the athlete is in the depression stage. While each of these roles may not be right for every student, they could help to alleviate the depression that an injured student-athlete may be feeling and help the individual understand his or her importance to the program, albeit in a different fashion.

Behind-the-scenes assignments that an injured student could perform can help alleviate the depression. These roles could be, but not limited to student coach, film practices, statistician, athletic training student and many others. If the program utilizes a drone to film practices, the injured student may be able to fill that role.

It is important that the coaching staff provide the injured student options for participation so that the player feels involved in the decision. If the injured student is told to set up the field every day or clean up after drills, the individual may see that as a punishment for being injured and possibly stay in the anger or depression stage even longer. If the coach or athletic trainer recognizes that the student is struggling mentally with a season-ending injury, it is important that the student knows he or she is still a valued part of the program.

Once the injured student has determined at what level he or she wants to be involved, with the blessing of the staff the student can then move into the final stage of grief, which is acceptance. When the injured student has moved to the acceptance stage, the individual is mentally in a good place and will be able to attack the injury recovery with enthusiasm. A good resource for more of this type of material is www.sidelinedusa.org.