I could give a generic answer but the truth is there are a myriad of reasons that cause athletes emotional challenges in their recovery. As a result without knowing all that is going on in their lives inside and outside of their sport any advice would be symptomatic and a bandaid rather than a solution.

Un coach puede ayudar al atleta a redefinir su propósito, especialmente cuando la recuperación parece un camino largo y complicado. El coach le proporciona un faro que guía su proceso de recuperación. Además, se enfoca en el presente y en el futuro, ayudando al atleta a trazar un plan para ir desde su situación actual a la deseada. Esto incluye descomponer ese objetivo final en pequeños hitos alcanzables, lo que refuerza la motivación y genera un sentido de progreso constante.

One thing I found helpful is presence. The holy grail of living in the present moment whilst pursuing your dreams and goals, especially in the world of sports is paramount for overall well being and mental health. As a professional tennis coach, having played tennis all my life and coaching in multiple tennis academies, being present and aware of the current challenge on and off the court is everything. Having being a mental health patient as well as a certified hypnotherapist on the other side of the coin has been an invaluable experience in helping to heal myself and clients. Working under the umbrella of Haeck House, a family centre and leader in the industry in South Africa was crucial to my understanding of mental health.

I will offer empathetic support and practical tools to help athletes navigate the emotional side of recovery. This includes personalized guidance on managing stress, setting realistic goals, and building mental resilience, empowering them to stay motivated and confident through every stage of their recovery journey. Most importantly will also be reassuring them that they are not alone in this!

Emotional support during recovery is crucial, and one often overlooked aspect is the power of togetherness. Injured athletes can feel isolated as they spend time away from the main group, which can affect their mental well-being. To combat this, organise team members to regularly spend time with the injured athlete, whether by attending rehab sessions or simply socialising. This fosters a sense of inclusion and keeps morale high. Encouraging the team to actively engage with the injured player not only provides emotional support but also strengthens team unity, helping the athlete feel valued and connected throughout their recovery journey.

This was one of the areas where I was able to exceed in my role in player development. I was able to spend time consisitenlty with players who were rehabbing or in the thick of their recovery. They honestlely want to be heard, because being away from the sport can make them feel isolated. Also encouraging them in other areas of their life where they are excelling can help build their esteem as well.

É essencial que a capacidade mental seja levada tão a sério como a capacidade física. Por muita qualidade técnica que um atleta tenha de nada serve se se sentir sozinho e ou num contexto em que não se sente confortável. Promover um ambiente saudável e seguro entre colegas, staff e psicólogos virados para a área desportiva é fundamental, de forma a que se evite que atletas guardem para si os seus problemas e que acumulem tudo isso até ao ponto de rutura. Em grupos de trabalho mais pequenos, o treinador tem o papel essencial neste aspeto, principalmente se já tiver jogado esse mesmo desporto, porque provavelmente já passou por problemas semelhantes e terá feedbacks úteis para os seus atletas.