Helping an Athlete Trust His Body Again After Injury
A coach's guide on how to talk to an athlete who is hesitant and afraid of reinjury after being cleared to play.
Ask GRM
GAME READY MINDSET
Helping Him Trust His Body Again
A short guide for the head coach — talking to a player who's afraid of getting hurt again
The 60-Second Version
This is what the coach needs to understand before he talks to the player:
His fear is normal. Almost every athlete feels this after getting hurt — it's not weakness, and it's not an attitude problem.
His body has healed, but his brain hasn't caught up yet. That trust comes back through small wins, not through time alone or through being told to “just go.”
The goal isn't zero fear. It's helping him compete well even while some fear is still there.
What the Coach Can Say to Him
Keep it short, calm, and one-on-one — not in front of the team. A few lines that work well:
"I noticed you've been a little hesitant out there — that's completely normal after what you went through."
"Your body is healed. It's normal if your mind hasn't fully caught up yet — that takes reps, not just time."
"You don't have to feel 100% confident to get back out there. We're going to build that back up together, step by step."
"What's one thing that would help you feel more sure of yourself in practice this week?"
What to Avoid Saying
“Just get over it” or “toughen up” — this makes players hide the fear instead of work through it.
Comparing him to how he played before the injury — it adds pressure instead of confidence.
Pushing him straight into full-speed, high-contact situations before he's ready — one bad rep too early can set him back further.
One Small Step to Start
Give him one specific, low-stakes moment in the next practice where he can succeed — a drill or rep he's very likely to do well in. A small win rebuilds trust in his body faster than any pep talk.
Signs Worth a Follow-Up Conversation
Hesitating, flinching, or slowing down before contact or a key movement.
Favoring one side, or avoiding certain plays or situations altogether.
Still visibly holding back weeks into full practice, even when he's cleared and healthy.
If you see these signs stick around, that's a signal for another calm conversation — not more pressure.
About the author
Scott K. Wilder is the founder of Game Ready Mindset™, a program and platform for teams and athletic programs, working with players, position groups, and teams in baseball, soccer, softball, and volleyball. He holds a Master’s from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University), an MBA from New York University, and a Master’s in International Studies and Conflict Resolution from The Johns Hopkins University, with coaching credentials from Georgetown University, Brian Cain’s MPM Program, the National Federation of High Schools, and FC Barcelona Football Club. He is the author of Millennial Leaders, Find What Energizes You (just published), and Compete in Any Weather.