No one ever wants to think that an injury can happen to them while playing sports. As a former athlete, I never thought that this was going to happen to me either. We all know that injury is part of the sport we play and it can come at the time when we least expect it or as I have recently learned the “worst time”! That was my initial thoughts and as I personally work through injury I realize that it is the “best time”. As a mental performance coach who teaches these skills daily I have begun to rediscover the power of these skills. While you are injured and out of the daily activity of your sport there are some many ways to improve. There is meditation, mental imagery, strategy work, and bringing realities in line with expectations. Another obvious is the resting of the body that is taxed through training and competition.
While being injured, an athlete’s thoughts will drift toward the day of recovery when they are back playing again at the same or higher level than when they left the sport. I am praying for a higher level every time. That will only happen through mental performance training and being intentional and deliberate on strengthening the mind. There may also be fear when returning and mental blocks can be present. A mental block presents itself because an athlete is unable to perform a skill or movement that they had previously mastered.
It is ultimately important that the coaches and parents do not pressure the athlete or even attack their desire to return to a competitive level. Most athletes are already not wanting to disappoint. All athletes need to regain confidence in a way that is safe, not embarrassing and emotionally scarring. Starting with basic fundamentals and putting them back into the skills they feel comfortable with will help them progress much quicker. Relearning and becoming comfortable with the skill or skills is a part of the process.
Mental aspects are seen as mysterious and can have a negative connotation even in our current environment to bring attention to the undeniable benefits of addressing and improving mental skills. If parents and coaches feel comfortable talking about it, that is great. And yes, focusing on effort rather than outcome is a great way to be supportive. It is also important to talk about other aspects of the child’s life so sport is kept in perspective.
I look forward to working with you and your Journey towards the Mindset of Champion.
Visit Robert at www.elitemindsllc.com or email at Robert@elitemindsllc.com.
Robert Price is the owner of Elite Minds, LLC is a mental performance consulting service that promotes professionals exceeding their potential in 
every field of human endeavor. This is accomplished through proven mental skill techniques that will lead the professional to more consistent performances even in the face of adversity. We understand how to get the brain and body working together as a team. Robert W.H. Price founded Elite Minds in 2000 as a graduate student and has created successful inroads since for hundreds of clients. He is an expert applying specific mental skills and techniques that cultivate the mental and emotional strength necessary to thrive in an era of overwhelming demands and persistent conflict.
Photo by SSU Sports Medicine by brengmanphotography.com/
