Learn how to create a dedicated team approach to injury recovery, with each layer performing in their area of expertise to the benefit of the player, team and organization.
It’s a safe bet that every day across rinks around North America, someone hears or says “that player has never been the same since their injury.” The issue of players getting hurt or having a concussion is never going away. There is, however, opportunity to improve our response, increase player recovery, give coaches the roster they want and sustain or extend playing careers.
Players want to play. With what I do, it’s rare when I don’t have to protect a player from him/herself when they first step back on the ice. They have been away from the game, away from team activities and feel left behind with their regard to their identity as a player. Therefore, when the opportunity is given for them to return to sport, they’re ready to get out and go for a rip.
It is my opinion, but I don’t think a player, regardless of level, should ever be allowed to just go out on their own following an injury. With on-ice injury recovery, the priority is to help a player return to pre-injury status without recurrence or subsequent injury and to stay in the line up. Something coaches want and appreciate.
On Ice Injury Recovery work, when done properly, creates a program that is unique to each player, each injury and each incident. But more importantly, it allows for face-to-face or one-on-one interaction with the player. The first meeting provides opportunity to assess where the player is mentally and what expectations they have going forward. This is the start of the “trust” between the player and the On Ice Recovery Specialist.
Let’s talk about trust for a second. It is through the personal contact, the questions and answers back and forth, the genuine concern displayed as they progress through a variety of injury specific skating drills and the determination to get them back that players will begin to trust in the person and the process. Hockey is a “people” business. The attached picture of the surgically repaired ankle is one example of a one-on-one on-ice process that built trust between the player and myself.
This injury was sustained by a 19-year-old Junior “A” player. Obvious that ROM, movement, and ability to load was going to be impacted. Day one on ice, he was visibly shaken and told me he would never play again. He simply could not turn right. Because we were together on ice, and I heard what he was saying, I was able to adjust what we were doing and convince him to trust the process. Long story short, he returned to play two more years and then went on to have a successful four-year NCAA career. It was trust that allowed for all that to happen. And trust only happened because I was present, listened to concerns and demonstrated that I was genuinely there to get him back.
The best thing that can happen is the medical staff clear the athlete for a return to sport (RTS). That means there is a sufficient restoration of health, and the player has been properly and medically assessed for a return. Then how things typically play out, is the athlete informs their coach they’ve been cleared and can return to play. This is where I think by adding another step, we can improve the chances of a player’s safe return to sport and keep them in the line up.
The diagram below is what I think the process should look like. Once off ice rehab (health) has been completed, then the On Ice Recovery Coach (function) is engaged. As the player improves and risks are removed, the Skills Coaches are engaged, and the player is progressed to competitive pace skills and drills in preparation for RTP. Again, that’s what I think it should look like. No one loses a job. No one is excluded. A dedicated team approach with each layer performing in their area of expertise and then trusting the next layer to continue the process all to the benefit of the player, team and organization. Unfortunately, the path with the dotted lines is usually the route taken to return players.
Multidisciplinary Approach for a Return to Play Following Injury
Each area performing within their area of expertise and then handing the player off to ensure a complete recovery to pre-injury performance.
I am aware of the trend towards wearable technology, where the player is told to skate specific patterns and the technology records loading, deceleration and acceleration peaks and valleys. Performance staff, based on that information, can sit at a laptop and decide what they think is the next best course of action. For the piece that is missing, the On Ice Recovery Specialist, that is good information that should be included to develop the appropriate skating recovery program, but there is no On Ice Recovery Specialist. The data is easily relayed to coaches who want to know when they can put someone back into the line-up. There is no one who is on ice from the day one return who is face-to-face, listening to the player and making the subtle adjustments needed to solidify a positive experience and healthy return.
The data on a laptop will not reflect the concerns, anxiety, fears, isolation or even depression a player is feeling as they battle back from injury. The data will not approach the Mental Performance Coach about what the player is saying or feeling and suggest a subtle visit. Trust. Trust in a person. Trust in a process. Trust that someone has their best interest at heart. That is why hockey is a people business. That is where the gap is between off ice rehab and Return to Play.
We can do better for the player, the team and the organization.
