Five ways to support your injured players

Injuries are inevitable at any level of the game, be it grassroots or academy football, youth or adult.

But how do we keep injured players connected to the team, motivated, and continuing to develop as players during these frustrating times? 

Here are some suggested strategies...

 

Emotional support and communication

Injuries can be emotionally challenging for players at any age. They may feel frustrated, disappointed or anxious about their future in the game.

Coaches can support players by acknowledging these feelings and providing a supportive environment. 

Regular check-ins with the player and their parents can help to ensure they don’t feel forgotten.

Continue to invite the injured player to training and matches, if they want to attend – this shows them that you are still engaged with them, and consider them an important part of the team.

 

Collaboration with parents and physiotherapists

Maintaining strong communication with an injured player’s parents, and any external physios, is important, to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Coaches should encourage parents to keep them updated on any medical advice and progress made at home.

 Physios or a doctor can also assist with a suitable return date. This ensures the player returns at the right time and only engages in exercises they are cleared to do, preventing the risk of re-injury.

Not all coaches have access to a club physio who can liaise on injuries.

 

Assigning roles and responsibilities

Injured players can still be active participants, through roles such as observation, analysis and leadership.

Assigning players tasks like assisting with practices, analysing games, being an assistant manager or completing statistics, like number of passes, can help them to stay mentally engaged and develops their game understanding.

 This approach also helps with their social and psychological development.

Staying engaged and connected can maintain a player’s sense of belonging and purpose within the team, while ensuring they are still developing as players and people.

 

Mental preparation and motivation

Recovering from an injury requires mental resilience. Coaches play an important role in keeping injured players motivated and mentally prepared for their return.

Setting realistic goals and celebrating small milestones can help players maintain a positive outlook, keeping them motivated to work hard with any physio exercises and ensuring they stick to any medical advice they are given.

Encouraging injured players to visualise their recovery and return to play can reinforce their belief in a successful comeback, while at the same time ensuring players are aligned with not trying to return before they are ready.

Team integration and support

A supportive team environment aids players through their injury and with their return socially.

Coaches can encourage team-mates to stay connected with any injured players through regular check-ins and ensure they are invited to any team activities outside of training. 

This fosters a strong team culture that values each member’s wellbeing and creates a supportive network. 

Knowing their team-mates care boosts the injured player’s morale and motivation, reducing feelings of being left behind. This can help reduce some social anxiety around returning to training and make their return feel smoother.

 

Summary

By applying these strategies, coaches can help players to stay motivated and connected during their recovery, continue to develop in the game and as a person, and can support in their physical recovery by helping to prevent re-injury.