Help Your Athlete Heal the Right Way
BEFORE INJURY
- Create a culture of safety. Normalize injury prevention, rest days, and honest conversations about pain.
- Know your role. You’re a powerful influence; your attitude toward playing injured matters more than you think.
- Have a plan. Partner with school staff, athletic trainers, and parents to prepare injury scenarios and recovery resources.
DURING INJURY
- Stay engaged. Include injured athletes in practice, team events, and decisions when appropriate.
- Provide emotional support. Check in often; don’t assume they’re “fine” just because they aren’t limping anymore.
- Collaborate on care. Reinforce the recovery plan shared by medical staff and discourage early return to play.
AFTER INJURY
- Ease the pressure. Don’t rush return-to-play. Respect the athlete’s pace and progress.
- Address mental performance. Fear of re-injury and confidence loss are real. Support your players in both mind and body.
- Educate the team. Use the opportunity to raise awareness about medication safety and mental resilience.