TeamSnap Logo
Log inFind My Team
  • Solutions
    • For Business
      For Business

      Tools for clubs, leagues, tournament organizers, and associations to run their business

      For Teams
      For Teams

      For coaches, players & fans to stay connected on our top-rated mobile app

      Promo image
      • Overview
      • Program ManagementManage all aspects of your organization
      • SponsorshipAccess our network of opportunities
      • RegistrationPayments, dues, and more
      • TournamentsBuild and manage your events
      • PaymentsA better way to manage payments
      • Website BuilderProfessional & mobile friendly sites
      • SchedulingAutomate games & practices
      • Services & SupportIndustry-leading account support
      • MessagesSimple, reliable communication
      • Get started!Chat with our team right now
  • Pricing
  • Resources
    • Community

      Our mission is to enhance the lives of kids by enabling participation in sport

        Other resources
        • Blog
        • Coaches’ Corner
        • For Business Resources
        • TeamSnap Updates
        • Help Center
        Company
        • About
        • Careers
        • Partners
    • For Brands
      • Build relationships in the moments that matter.

        Convert families into superfans with TeamSnap for brands.

          • OverviewThe #1 way to reach the Chief Household Officer
          • AudienceLearn about our audience and network
          • CapabilitiesExplore our products and measurement solutions
          • Download Media Kit

      Find My Team

      Sign upLog in
      Sign upLog in
      BlogGeneral Sports
      • General Sports
      • Health and Safety
      • Coaching
      • for Business
      • Announcements
      Featured image: Helping Your Child Deal With a Sports Injury

      Feb 26, 2018 • 3 min read

      Helping Your Child Deal With a Sports Injury

      /images/teamsnap-badge.png
      Janis B. Meredith

      Posted in:
      • General Sports

      Youth sports injuries are an unfortunate, but inevitable part of any young athlete’s playing journey. The severity ranges from out-for-one-game to out-for-the-season or even out-for-the-year.

      When an injury requires a longer recovery period, here are some ways you can help your child deal with the injury and the disappointment it brings.

      Get a Positive Diagnosis

      The obvious first step is to get a definitive diagnosis if your child is suffering from an injury that lingers and doesn’t seem to be healing. It will be better for you and for your athlete if you know exactly what you are dealing with. When will it heal? Will they need surgery? All of these uncertainties add to anxiety.

      Find a Doctor Who Knows Sports

      Craig Bennett, director of sports medicine at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, recommends that parents find “a health care professional who understands that there must be a plan for returning to play. If you heal and return to play without restrengthening, you are at risk for re-injury.”

      Craft a Game Plan

      Work with the doctor and physical therapist to establish a plan for treatment, resting, and strength building exercises and workouts.

      Track it on a calendar so your child sees progress. They need to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Meanwhile, they are not just sitting idly by, hoping for recovery; they are doing something about it.

      Your Support Is Important

      Talk with your child about their frustrations and empathize with their feelings. Support them as they work hard to return to sports, even as you help distract them from the injury by encouraging them to pursue other interests they can participate in while on injured reserve.

      Encourage Continued Participation

      If at all possible, have your child still attend practice and sit on the bench at games. They are still part of the team and can still be a leader, even on the bench. One of the hardest parts of being injured for your child is not feeling like they are part of the team. Staying closely involved will help with that.

      This Too Shall Pass

      This is a phrase that we tell our kids–and ourselves–often. An injury to an athlete is devastating; however, it does not have to signal the end of sports as long as the doctor agrees. Your child will heal and get back into the game. And remember that trying to hurry this process is not a good idea. Let your child take the required time to heal and think long-term. One missed season out of many will not hinder their long-term success.

      Janis B. Meredith, sports mom and coach’s wife, writes a sports parenting blog called jbmthinks.com. Her new book, 11 Habits for Happy and Positive Sports Parents, is on Amazon.


      Download our app

      app-storegoogle-play

      Share this post


      Create Your Team Today!

      It’s Free and Free is Good!

      Sign Up Your Team!Free and Paid Plans Available
      Products
      Sports Organizations
      • Get a demo
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Tournaments
      • FAQs
      Coaches or Team Managers
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Tournaments
      • Get Started
      Parents or Athletes
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Find My Team
      • Get Started
      Sports
      Sports Organizations
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Football
      • Ice Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Volleyball
      Teams
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Football
      • Ice Hockey
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • +100s more
      Resources
      • Blog
      • Coaches’ Corner
      • Return To Play
      • For Business Resource Library
      • Skills & Drills
      • Press Releases
      • TeamSnap Updates
      • TeamSnap Help Center
      • Community
      • Why TeamSnap?
      Company
      • About
      • CareersHiring!
      • For Brands
      • Partners
      • TeamSnap API
      • Responsible Disclosure Policy
      • Youth sports team and sports org app Apple App Store Logo
      • Youth sports team and sports org app Google Play Store Logo
      • social-media-facebook
      • social-media-twitter
      • social-pinterest
      • social-instagram
      • social-video-youtube
      • professional-network-linkedin
      • social-tiktok

      TeamSnap Footer Logo

      Copyright © 2005–2025 TeamSnap, Inc.

      • Sitemap
      • Terms
      • Privacy Policy
      • California Privacy Policy
      • Your Privacy Choices