Quick Tips on Working with Injured Athletes

There are four key areas to help gain a better understanding when working with injured athletes as described by S.J. Danish and A. Petitpas, and they are as follows:

• Rapport building

• Listen carefully and do not judge

• Pay attention for the personal meanings associated to the injuries

• Look for any associated issues

• Make the athletes feel understood, heard, and accepted

• Education

• Obtain accurate information with regards to the injuries

• Work with the athletes to ensure realistic understanding and expectations of recovery

• Set realistic and appropriate goals when working with athletes

• Skill development

• Assess and target the appropriate self-help skills for the athlete

• Goal setting

• Relaxation techniques

• Imagery

• Executing a plan to implement skills will allow for evaluating progress during recovery

• Identify and acknowledge barriers and roadblocks along the way and how to work around for successful recovery

• Practice and evaluation

• Athletes should now be applying their developmental skills as they recover from injuries regularly

• Monitor the athlete’s progress and provide feedback and support

• Recommend additional skills and training as applicable

• When roadblocks occur, work with the athletes on action plans to move forward

Andersen, Mark B. (2005). Sport Psychology in Practice. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics.