The Sidelined Athlete's Support Team: Coming Together To Promote Healthy Recovery
by Jackie Allibone
Whether you’re a coach, parent, athletic trainer, teammate or friend, knowing how you can help a sidelined athlete makes a huge difference in their healing process. As athletic trainer and Sidelined USA Board Member Jordan Anderson stated in our resource article 7 Keys to Supporting a Sidelined Athlete Battling Depression…
"Take a team approach wherever possible. It is imperative that all members of the athlete’s support network are committed to promoting a healthy recovery. Communicate with the coach, athletic trainer, family members, close friends, etc. to make sure everyone understands these keys to supporting the athlete’s emotional health. A common sports cliche applies here: ‘The team is only as strong as its weakest player’. If even one person in this group stunts an athlete’s recovery, it can have a significantly negative impact.”
Quick Tips to Help You Better Support a Sidelined Athlete:
If you are a COACH:
Speak to the team
As a leader, you get to set the cultural standard for how you want the team to approach situations. Encourage a culture of support by making the team aware of the sidelined athlete’s situation and that their united willingness to be there will mean a lot to them.
Write a note or a letter to the athlete letting them know you care
Taking the time out to write something is a great way to let the sidelined athlete know that you are there for them. It also lets the athlete know that you understand they may need space and time, but when they are ready you are there to talk. A personalized note or letter opens up an opportunity for conversation.
Develop a plan of action
Make a list of resources that the sidelined athlete may find helpful as they are navigating the healing process. Present these resources to the athlete and let them know you want to help them develop a plan together for how to manage this transition best as possible. This suggestion can help the sidelined athlete feel less alone and make them feel like they can take back some control in whatever their next path is.
Be a part of the transition process regardless of ‘return to play’ options
It’s important the athlete knows that they are important to you as a person and not just a player. It’s also important that they know they don’t have to lose the bonds they’ve created through sport along with the ability to play their sport.
If you are a TEAMMATE & FRIEND:
Listen
Even if you cannot fully empathize with their situation, encouraging them to open up is a great way to show you care. Sometimes all that person needs is just someone to listen, hear them out, and give them a chance to speak about their experience.
Include them
Isolation can be really tough as a sidelined athlete and feeling ‘connection’ or included in plans outside of sport can help with the loneliness. Although the athlete can’t participate in their sport, there are other activities that are non-sports related that you can include them in; going to the movies, going to lunch, study groups, etc.
Tell them you care
Let them know that you understand why this could be a difficult time due to the changes or obstacles they are facing. Let them know you will be there for them as they find their way through it and that they are not a burden for needing support.
If you are an ATHLETIC TRAINER:
Check-in
With your expertise, you know there are both psychological and physical challenges after becoming sidelined and your support is especially valuable to the athlete as they move forward. Checking in with your athlete at regular intervals helps keep the conversation open to extend professional help where warranted, whenever the athlete is ready.
Recommend Resources
You have great insights into resources that you know to be specifically helpful to athletes who’ve been medically disqualified/sidelined. Have your list ready and share it when the time is right. *Note: Sidelined USA’s Campus Liaison Program offers an array of free resources to add to your toolbox.
Collaborate
Don’t be afraid to lead the collaboration of the athlete’s support team. As the essential medical expert, feel empowered to initiate the dialogue between athletic program staff, coaches, the athlete, their parents and the staff sports psychologist/counselor. You are likely tuned in to what the athlete might need in terms of resources and support.
If you are a PARENT:
Believe their pain
Whether it’s mental or physical pain, your validation means the world in their recovery. They are already having a difficult time with validating themselves. Having your support with this can encourage them to give themselves grace.
Understand that they need time to process and grieve
Giving them the time, any amount of time it may take, to properly process their medical retirement and what they are going through allows them to fully recover without leaving any stone unturned.
Communicate
that you are there for them
that you want to help
and that it’s okay to not be okay
Seek professional guidance
Encouraging them to talk to a counselor, therapist or psychologist is proactive and can be an amazing resource for them.
For more guidance, check out our Team Sidelined podcast, Season 2, Episode 1: Sidelined Athlete Support: Guidance for Parents of Sidelined Athletes
If you are a SIDELINED ATHLETE SUPPORTER:
THANK YOU! It’s tough to know exactly what to do or say when an athlete is sidelined due to injury, illness, or mental health. Your desire to support these athletes, learn the tips, and show them you care is appreciated more than you know.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Neither Sidelined USA nor its affiliates provide clinical or medical care of any kind via their relationship with Sidelined. At no time should a user have an expectation of clinical care or professional services offered or rendered.
Authored by Jackie Allibone, Former collegiate & sidelined athlete, Connect Group Facilitator & Mentor, Sidelined USA
"When I found Sidelined USA, it was 10 years post my medical retirement. The first thing that ran through my mind when I discovered this organization was, "If this existed when I had my career-ending injury, my recovery and grief process would have looked VERY different". I just knew I had to reach out and get involved. Through connecting with Sidelined USA, I have had the honor of becoming one of their athlete mentors and connection group leaders. Being able to use my experience as a sidelined athlete to make a positive impact on another athlete's life is such an incredible full-circle moment - turning my unfortunate circumstance into a meaningful resource. I can't rewrite that dark time in my past but it can be used as a guiding light for someone else's future. I am truly grateful this program exists now so that MDQ athletes have a place they feel understood and can call home."