Injured Athlete’s Guide to Being the Best Teammate You Can Be

Being a Part of the Team from the Dugout: An Injured Athlete’s Guide to Being the Best Teammate You Can Be!

This Playbook Piece is written by Mia Gilham, an incredible Robyn Ambassador, who is a softball player at Middlebury College. Mia loves the camaraderie and shared victories that come with being part of a team. Outside of softball, she enjoys running, reading, and spending time in the lab, and believes body confidence means trusting her strength and abilities. 

Experiencing a severe injury, one that leaves an athlete out of the game for a significant amount of time, can lead to feelings of isolation and self doubt as you are not competing on the field/court/rink with their teammates. Cowee and Simon (2019) report that 60% of college athletes sampled experienced a severe injury during their college career - one that left them sidelined. Many of the most famous female athletes experience this. Coming off two national championships and a breaking news transfer to Nebraska, Jordy Frahm, NCAA softball star, tore her ACL. However, she refused to give up. After redshirting for one season, she came back and led Nebraska to a historic NCAA run, also winning NFCA Player of the Year in 2026. Jordy refused to step back; still serving as a leader on the team. Being on the sideline gives an OPPORTUNITY to use your voice to help your team win. 

Becoming an Injured Athlete

I remember waking up, after my best game of the season, and having no feeling in my fingers. That was the beginning of what I thought was the end of my time on the field. Coming back on campus for fall practices after having elbow nerve damage repair surgery over the summer, I felt completely useless: how can I help my team get better without being able to leave the dugout? In all honesty, those first few practices were filled with FOMO. I quickly learned that being a contributor to the team isn’t just about strikeouts or points scored, it is about lifting up those around you.

My coach always harps that a good day is when your team competes at their best, not you - as an injured athlete this is more true than ever. Being the best teammate you can be acts like an anchor in these times. My motto became if I can’t give 100% on the field, I am going to give 100% from the dugout.  With the prevalence of injury in sport, when you give your all everyday, there needs to be a guide on how to be the best injured athlete you can be! 

What are some ways to do this? 

1. Remember: You are still a part of this team! Go to team dinner, deepen your relationships with your teammates! Build these connections off the field, so they show up on the field. 

2. Be the loudest one at practice: Whether that is being the best “hype” man you can be or shouting out plays, show your teammates that you see their hard work and want them to be their best! That doesn’t mean just be loud vocally, but be present! 

3. Be vocal with your coaches and ask how you can help: Ask your coaches about what role you can play in practice - even if it is just setting up drills! Show that you actively want to help the team even if you can’t play! 

4. Be the “Check - In” Teammate: Without having to focus on the next rep, prioritize checking in on your teammates if they seem “off” or look like they need support. Learn how they need to be talked to in a hard moment. Give them an outlet to vent about things on or off the field, so that they are locked for each rep at practice. 

5. Remember specific moments to shout out your teammates: While watching practice, remember specific moments where a teammate did something so cool! Tell them how proud you are of them! Show that you are engaged, and that you are so excited for team success!  

6. Talk to Your Coaches or Teammates if you are struggling: It is hard to be an injured athlete, especially in college! Talk to your teammates, coaches, trainers, or another trusted figure if you are struggling without competing. Be proud of what you have done and your work to recover! 

It is okay to mourn the lost competition time when you are out with an injury - I know I do!  Every practice, challenge yourself to be a little louder! That doesn’t mean just cheering on teammates. That can mean setting things up, asking about everyone’s days, giving more high fives. Little steps make big impacts! Being a good teammate is about more than just being loud, it's about being PRESENT! 

At Robyn Athletic, we’re here to support female athletes at every stage of their journey. Join our Body Confident Sport movement and help build a future where girls feel supported, confident, and empowered to stay in the game. To host a workshop at your school, contact hello@robynfit.com.

Citation:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6410981/#s4