3 Ways to Handle Injuries When You’re Not Actually Injured

Photo Courtesy: Brian Jenkins-UVM Athletics

By Chandler Brandes, Swimming World College Intern

Injuries, no matter how big or small, are devastating. No swimmer ever wants to deal with an injury, and no coach ever hopes his or her athletes become injured. Injuries, although unfair, are part of swimming, and chances are most swimmers will have to deal with pain or a more serious problem at least once during their careers.

We often forget that injuries affect not just the individual, but the entire team. Whether you’re out of the water for a few days or have to sit out for the whole season, your team notices your absence in the pool. How the team responds to a teammate’s injuries can play a crucial role in their recovery time and overall team camaraderie.

Here are three things to remember if you have injured teammates:

1. Trust that your injured teammates are still working hard.

Photo Courtesy: Heidi Torregroza

It may seem unfair as you watch your injured teammates get out of practice early while you still have a few thousands yards left to swim. But ask yourself: do you really wish you were injured? Nope. You may have an hour and a half lift in the morning and a two-hour swim practice in the afternoon each day, and your injured teammates may do half of the amount of training you do with many modifications. But add on the hours of rehab, physical therapy, and treatment they receive every day, chances are it adds up to more time than you spend each day training.

Help keep them motivated. If you see that they’re making progress, let them know that you see them getting stronger each day. If they can’t do everything to full capacity in the pool, chances are they are cross-training to accommodate their injury, like running or biking. Trust that your injured teammates are doing everything they can do to get back to full health.

2. You don’t know how they’re feeling.

Photo Courtesy: Delaney Lanker

If you aren’t currently injured, or have never sustained a serious injury from swimming, you don’t know what it feels like. Often times, the uninjured don’t know everything that’s going on with the injured. Do not assume you know everything about your teammate’s injury, and don’t pretend that you know exactly how they’re feeling or what they’re doing to get better. Talk to your injured teammates to get to know their side of the story if you want to know more.

It’s hard for your injured teammates to show up to practice knowing they can only put in 50 percent of what their teammates put in because they’re hurt. If they are truly committed to the team and to their goals, they’ll be upset that they can’t do everything they’d be able to do if they weren’t injured. Injuries are both mentally and physically exhausting. Having support from the team helps the injured person feel connected even if they can’t always be in the water training each and every day, and may even help them recovery faster.

3. Focus on what you can control.

Photo Courtesy: Andy Ringgold/Aringo Photography

First of all, be thankful that you’re not injured. It’s easy to get caught up in what your teammates are doing, but you cannot control their actions. You can only control what you do in and out of the pool. Focus on what you can do so you don’t become injured yourself. If something starts to hurt, be proactive so it doesn’t become worse, and make sure you’re taking care of yourself. During practice, focus on the set you’re doing—don’t worry about how the injured lane’s practice seems “easier” and don’t become jealous when you see them get out of the pool before you do. It’s natural to be concerned or have questions about a teammate’s injury, but focusing too much on them turns your attention away from your own performance. They need to focus on addressing their injury, and you need to remain focused on working towards achieving your goals.

Injuries don’t come with a warning, and if you ever become injured, you’d want the same support from your teammates as you should be giving them. Be supportive of them as they try and get back in the water full time; it can make their return to swimming after injury a little less painful.

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