{"id":15702,"date":"2023-06-08T12:46:07","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T16:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=15702"},"modified":"2025-06-04T05:03:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T09:03:45","slug":"returning-to-competition-after-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/returning-to-competition-after-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Returning to Competition After Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/post-injury.jpg\" alt=\"Returning to Competition After Injury\" class=\"wp-image-15703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/post-injury.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/post-injury-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_Biggest_Fear_When_Dealing_with_an_Injury\"><\/span>Your Biggest Fear When Dealing with an Injury<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Article Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/returning-to-competition-after-injury\/#Your_Biggest_Fear_When_Dealing_with_an_Injury\" >Your Biggest Fear When Dealing with an Injury<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/returning-to-competition-after-injury\/#When_you_are_injured_you_will_have_three_major_concerns\" >When you are injured, you will have three major concerns:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/returning-to-competition-after-injury\/#Your_recovery_plan_should_consist_of_mile_markers_to_achieve_before_progressing_to_the_next_stage\" >Your recovery plan should consist of mile markers to achieve before progressing to the next stage.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/returning-to-competition-after-injury\/#Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\" >Related Sports Psychology Articles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/returning-to-competition-after-injury\/#The_Confident_Athlete\" >The Confident Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Every athlete has a unique and personal injury experience, meaning injury affects athletes differently depending on their perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sports injuries are multifaceted. Every injury has a physical, mental, and emotional component. Neglecting one of these components can delay the mental or physical healing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_you_are_injured_you_will_have_three_major_concerns\"><\/span>When you are injured, you will have three major concerns:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The injury itself and its severity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rehab or time away from competition and training<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Return to action<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Each phase contains its unique challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s examine the final phase of injury, returning to competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most athletes want to get back to action as quickly as possible. They don&#8217;t want to lose their physical conditioning, role on the team, or potential contribution to the team&#8217;s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This urge to compete often causes athletes to return to action too soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lack of physical and mental readiness causes athletes to underperform and increases the risk of re-injury. Underperformance can lead to confidence issues and performance slumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, San Diego Padres infielder Matt Carpenter suffered a foot fracture towards the end of the 2022 regular season while playing with the New York Yankees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before fully recovering from the injury, Carpenter returned for the Yankees&#8217; playoff run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Carpenter&#8217;s return to action may seem heroic, he drastically under performed. In his first six postseason appearances, Carpenter was 1-for-12 with nine strikeouts. Carpenter under performed, and his early return to action significantly delayed his recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CARPENTER<\/strong>:\u00a0<em>&#8220;I probably pushed it more than I should have to come back and play in October, and it kind of cost me the rest of my offseason. My foot just never healed. It was broken all the way until basically the day I signed [with San Diego].&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understandably, you want to return to competition quickly. Especially since you primarily identify with being an athlete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, you should realize there is much at stake if you return to competition before you have recovered from your injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Create a recovery plan with your coach, athletic trainer, and doctor to maximize your physical and mental readiness for competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_recovery_plan_should_consist_of_mile_markers_to_achieve_before_progressing_to_the_next_stage\"><\/span>Your recovery plan should consist of mile markers to achieve before progressing to the next stage.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some considerations to include as mile markers are being pain-free, achieving a pre-injury level of conditioning, overcoming the fear of re-injury, performing rehab exercises with a low level of discomfort<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also consider learning relaxation or stress-reducing strategies, visualizing performing at a high level, getting the approval from your doctor or physical therapist to return to training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A specific, detailed injury plan will help you feel in control of the injury process and feel confident and prepared when you return to action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of potential obstacles that will affect your rehab. For each obstacle, write down 1-2 ways that you can overcome that obstacle so you can be better prepared to compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, recognize the importance of patience and listening to your body so you are fully prepared to be on top of your game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-979ef383-5bc7-43ee-b8f9-249663ca1a6c\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\"><\/span>Related Sports Psychology Articles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"block-05642731-8752-4dbf-9c18-5cc4d276e821\" class=\"wp-block-list has-normal-font-size\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-maintain-confidence-after-an-injury\/\">How to Maintain Confidence After an Injury<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/comeback-strong-after-injury\/\">How To Comeback Strong After An Injury<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/control-your-emotions-when-returning-from-an-injury\/\">Control Your Emotions When Returning From an Injury<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-5726d13f-f715-4ca4-8813-2f8a9ebd8bc3\">*Subscribe to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a>&nbsp;on iTunes<br>*Subscribe to <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a> on Spotify<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-281f5afb-980b-4c71-9aa0-11d606b5f7c9\"><strong>Download a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/mental-toughness-report-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free sports psychology report<\/a>&nbsp;to improve your mental game!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-94138e75-d591-4645-bb1d-212cf57a8841\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sport-psychology-training-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about our one-on-one mental game coaching.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Confident_Athlete\"><\/span>The Confident Athlete <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/confident-athlete-audio250.jpg\" alt=\"The Confident Athlete Audio and Workbook Program\" class=\"wp-image-19341\" style=\"width:180px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Confident Athlete\u201d consists of 2 audio programs 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me help you put a <strong>stop to the confidence leak<\/strong>. You can learn to have greater levels of confidence in competition than you do in practice by identifying the specific ways you undermine your own confidence and <strong>how to convert your practice confidence into COMPETITIVE CONFIDENCE<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Confident Athlete\u201d is a ground-breaking system to teach you how to think like a champion and have ultimate self-confidence every time you step on the playing field, court, track, or course. The confident athletes was <strong>developed for any athlete \u2013 junior to professional \u2013<\/strong>that wants to gain confidence. However, coaches and sports parents can learn how to teach others to perform with ultimate confidence. Use my program if you want to bust a slump or just wanting higher or more consistent levels of self-confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-0b39f7aa\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-a74417ae gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-confident-athlete-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-461ab57c gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/collections\/the-confident-athlete-series-digital-download\/products\/the-confident-athlete-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your Biggest Fear When Dealing with an Injury Every athlete has a unique and personal injury experience, meaning injury affects athletes differently depending on their perspective. Sports injuries are multifaceted. Every injury has a physical, mental, and emotional component. Neglecting one of these components can delay the mental or physical healing process. When you are injured, you will &#8230; <a title=\"Returning to Competition After Injury\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/returning-to-competition-after-injury\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Returning to Competition After Injury\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15704,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[246,247],"class_list":["post-15702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-mental-toughness","tag-mental-toughness-in-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.5.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sports injuries are multifaceted. 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Cohn\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.peaksports.com\\\/sports-psychology-blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/patrick-cohn-mental-coach-web-sq.jpg\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PeakPerformanceSports\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/PeaksportsCoach\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/sportspsychcoach\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.tiktok.com\\\/@peakperformancesports\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/peaksports\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/MindsetForSports\"],\"description\":\"Mental Performance Coach Dr. Patrick Cohn has helped athletes for over 30 years enhance their performance. 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