The Psychology of Sports Injury
A sports injury is devastating for almost every athlete.
Not only do you experience physical pain and the discomfort associated with rehab, but it can causes an emotional and mental impact on the athlete.
What are the anxieties and fears when you are injured?
These include:
- A loss of identity: Since you probably have competed in your sport from an early age, you probably identify with your sport (“I am a baseball player,” “I am a gymnast,” “I am a soccer player,” etc).
- Losing that connection with your team: Your team is most likely part of your social circle also. You may feel your injury is driving a wedge between you and your friends/teammates.
- Doubts about your future: You may wonder if you will be able to compete at the same level as before the injury or, even worse, will the injury prevent you from ever playing again. You may fear losing a scholarship or not getting accepted into the college of your choice.
- Losing your role on the team: You may fear being replaced on the team or having your playing time drastically reduced.
- The pain of rehab: Rehab can be physically uncomfortable, take a huge chunk of time out of your day and may be a financial strain on your family.
- Fear of re-injury: When you return to your sport, your head may be filled with images of getting hurt again and may be an even greater source of anxiety.
- Loss of confidence: Injury can lead some athletes to doubt their ability to return to a prior level of performance before injury.
The mental impact of injury must be handled with care if you are to have a successful return to your sport.
What, then, is the most effective mindset when dealing with an injury?
Related Article: How to Come Back Strong After An Injury
Let’s look at the example of Malik Hooker…
Hooker is a 21-year-old safety who was drafted with the 15th overall pick last month by the Indianapolis Colts.
Due to surgery for a sports hernia and a torn labrum in his hip, Hooker has yet to practice with his fellow rookie teammates and will be unable to do so until late July.
Rather than having a “poor me” mindset, Hooker instead has taken a positive approach regarding his injury.
That is not to say that Hooker is happy about being injured, but Hooker is utilizing his injury timeout to best prepare for his first NFL season.
HOOKER: “Right now, the playbook’s my best friend. Studying film, watching film and just learning the playbook inside and out. What good is it if I don’t know what I’m doing out there but I’m going 110 speed?”
By taking an alternative view of your injury, you could return to competition better than before with greater motivation and more mental resiliency/toughness.
Tips For Coping With Injury:
Ask yourself, “How can I take advantage of this break from competing? How can I stay sharp, stay positive and better prepare myself for a return to action?”
Look for some way to improve your game when not practicing:
- Work on your mental game…
- Scout your competition…
- Strengthen a weaker body part…
- Study how elite athletes compete in your sport.
Look at the positive aspects of the injury. Does it give your more time to work on the playbook or get caught up in other areas of your life, such as studies?
If you have an injury today, you can start by making sure you are proactive with your confidence and not leave it to chance…
Learn Mental Game Strategies to Boost Your Confidence in Sports!
Learn Mental Game Strategies to Boost Your Confidence in Sports!If you’re an athlete who struggles with self-doubt, loses confidence, or cant take “practice confidence” to competition, The Confident Athlete is for you!
Self-confidence is what separates champion athletes from the rest of the competitors…
You can tap into my knowledge and experience to learn how to bring ultimate confidence to competition!
The Confident Athlete CD and workbook program consists of 2 audio CD’s that include 14 days of confidence fueling exercises and a simple to follow workbook that guides you through the 14 days, helps you apply the strategies and customizes the exercises to your personal needs.
Remember, confidence is a choice you make. You have to make a conscious effort to proactively seek confidence building thoughts and behaviors. Confident Athletes are proactive when it comes to confidence!
Learn more about one of our most popular CD programs in The Confident Athlete Series…
The Confident Athlete: A 14-Day Plan For Ultimate Self-Confidence
Take control of your mindset and performance today!
What are mental game customers saying about our confidence boosting program?
“I’ve been doing great! I’ve been using your Confident Athlete 14-Day Program and it has really worked for me. We’ve achieved great results and excellent consistency in our horseshows. We’ve had some pretty big wins. Thanks so much. Your program has done wonders for me.”
~Diane Wade, Equestrian
“We are amazed at how much ‘The Confident Athlete’ program has helped my niece play her best tennis during matches. She literally made it to the farthest round of a tournament (semifinals) after finishing the CDs/workbook. We are going to do all 3 in the series.”
~Jason Bourguignon, Uncle
Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
If you’re a top performer during practice but find yourself under-performing in competition, the most likely culprit holding you back is your mental game.
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with one-on-one personal mental game coaching.
You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
What are our mental game coaching students, parents and coaches saying?
“Your mental coaching has helped me be mentally prepared ready to go racing. To be a MX champion, your body and mind have to work together on the track. Dr Cohn helped me get on the podium even under tough circumstances and strengthen my mental game side of racing. I am ready to win this championship now.”*
~Max Anstie, Pro MX racer
“The sessions have been so helpful. Dawson has been playing really well and more importantly feeling great about it all.”*
~Kecia Muller, Lacrosse Parent
Download Our FREE Mental Toughness Report!
Download your FREE Mental Toughness Report and discover if you are making one or more of theses ‘costly’ mental game mistakes before competition.
You will:
- Discover if those pregame jitters are positive or negative.
- Learn the important pregame mental skills to perform your best.
- Learn how your mental game might sabotage your success in sports.
- Identify mistakes in your per-competition mental preparation.
Download The Mental Toughness Report Today!
You will also receive regular updates of more mental toughness tips to boost your performance in sports!
What are mental coaching students, parents and coaches saying about our resources?
“My wife and I immediately applied your eBook mental toughness tips and luckily we got a fast response. Over just four days we brought her up out of a slump to success. She had ‘permission to make mistakes,’ she came out of her funk. Amazing!”
~Glenn A. Grube, Sports Parent
“The amount of knowledge I’ve learned from your eBooks, books and podcasts at Peaksports is fantastic! You’re the best Mental Training coach I’ve found. I research the subject a lot and other sport psychologists aren’t as comprehensive as you.”
~Gavin Clark, PGA Member
“I am a sports psychologist in Dallas. I’ve read your two e-books and find them quite good. I commend you on the quality of your eBook. It is very readable and helpful.”
~Michael Wolf, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist