🔎Concept Overview

Yesterday, I watched one of my gymnasts take a hard fall.

She wasn't just bruised or shaken; she broke her arm.

In the immediate aftermath, there's a flood of emotions.

Panic, fear, and a rush to get her the care she needed.

As a coach, my mind was racing through the checklist of physical recovery: doctor's appointments, cast care, physical therapy.

Having gone through multiple injuries as a gymnast myself, I knew the list was long.

But later, as I reflected, my thoughts shifted to the game that isn't played on the floor—the mental one.

An injury like this is a moment of crisis, but it's also a profound opportunity.

No I am not wishing your kid breaks their arm!

I am saying that we can't always control what happens on the field, but we can absolutely guide our kids on how they respond.

A broken bone will heal, but the fear of failure, the frustration of being sidelined, or the anxiety of a comeback can last much longer.

⚒️Action Items

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Has your athlete ever been injured? Yes 😢 No 👌

This is where the real work begins.

The parent's role in this mental recovery is crucial.

It’s about teaching resilience, about finding strength in a setback, and about understanding that true growth often happens away from the spotlight.

We can help our kids learn to visualize their comeback, to stay connected to their team in new ways, and to celebrate small, non-physical wins that build confidence from the inside out.

Visualize Their Comeback

• Encourage your child to spend a few minutes each day closing their eyes and replaying their favorite moments from past games or practices.

It’s a powerful way to remind them of their skills and success, keeping their mind focused on what’s possible instead of what's currently limited.

• Have them visualize performing a specific, single skill with perfect form.

For a gymnast, it might be the perfect landing off the beam.

For a soccer player, it might be a clean pass.

This keeps their mind sharp and ready for when they can return to the field.

Stay Connected to the Team

• Give your child the important job of taking notes during practice or games.

They can track key plays, write down new drills, or observe what's working for their teammates.

This gives them a sense of purpose and a role in the team's success, even from the bench.

• Have them ask the coach to lead the team's huddle or to give a brief, inspiring pre-game talk.

Being the voice of encouragement keeps them involved and reinforces their identity as a team member, not just an injured player.

Celebrate Small, Non-Physical Wins

• Create a simple journal where your child can write down non-physical achievements each day.

This might be "I did my physical therapy exercises without complaining" or "I helped a teammate understand a new play."

This shifts the focus from physical performance to personal growth and character development.

• Challenge them to learn a new, related skill that doesn't require them to use their injury.

This could be studying strategy from a professional game or mastering a new set of sports statistics.

It shows them that there's always a way to improve.

📘Helpful Resources

Below are some articles that reinforce the techniques and exercises I gave you above:

• ​The Mental Game - Visualization​
• ​Applied Sport Psych - Social Support Network​
• ​Research Gate - Goal Setting​