Mentally getting over injury

[mattzilla 0]

So, I had a bad injury two years ago. ( see here )

Been back playing for about 5-6 months.

When the puck goes into the corner half the time I can't go full speed or anything close when retrieving it. I'm afraid. As many times as I try to talk myself out of it, once the thoughts in my head I just half freeze up.

Has anyone else had this problem? does it go away? I feel like im letting my team down.

[mxihockey 0]

Although my injury wasn't nearly as bad as yours, (Torn AC joint in shoulder) I had the same issue when I came back. I got hurt in my 1st shift of my first game at one of the biggest showcases of my season, and was out for just about the last two months of my season. When I first came back I was scared to go in corners, but after about 1 or 2 open ice hits where I ran over a couple kids I was back to normal. It just takes some time.

[Chadd 916]

It's just going to take time. Eventually you will end up crashing into the boards again and when you get up and realize that everything is where it is supposed to be, you will either be over your fears or quit so it doesn't happen again. There's nothing wrong with being cautious and taking a while to get back into the flow of the game.

[Scoobersti 0]

My injury wasn't anything that was anything serious as yours was. But, it was my first real injury. It's also a little embarrassing since its hard to describe how big this guy was compared to me. What happened was in my first year Bantams, I went to check the biggest guy in our age group and I wasn't a very big guy back then I was probably somewhere around 5ft 6in and 150-160lbs. When I went to check him against the boards, he gave me a slight nudge and I fell over awkwardly on my knee and my knee hurt for about a week. After that for the rest of the season, I was scared to check anyone that was bigger than me. I'd check guys around my size or slightly bigger but that was about it.

Edit: Although, I don't play in a checking league anymore (just beer leagues now). I did eventually get the courage to start checking bigger opponents again next season.

[BarDownGinos 3]

Crash into the boards, eventually your brain will remember that your body isn't made of glass and you'll be back. I broke my jaw in HS thanks to a full speed head on collision. 10 weeks later when I was cleared to play I was gun shy about lighting people up and being more cautious, spent the rest of the season trying to get over that mental hump. Summer comes around and I was at a training camp and got caught with my head down and get crushed. I layed there for a second doing a body part check, realized everything was still fine, shook out the cobwebs and I was back in business.

[DavidT 11]

My only advice is Physical Therapy. While it not only helps you get back to where you were, it also helps in regaining confidence in that part of your body that was injured.

The first 6 weeks of my therapy was muscle/bone/movement build up while the last 7 weeks have consisted of conditioning/strengthening/confidence drills. While Im sure I will be slightly hesitant the first couple of shifts, the therapy has put me threw far strenuous exercises that has reestablished the confidence in my leg.

[Steve_v3 289]

Like said before it just takes time. I returned to playing 6 months after receiving a liver transplant. I was very tentative of contact of any kind for a while. The Dr.s told me there was no danger of injury from falling or bumping into guys. I only play pickup now, but sometimes accidents happen. I was going around the net at a pretty good clip & a fore-checker came at me. We ended up hitting head on. Everyone on the ice went totally quiet. I got up & took a deep breath & realized I was OK & I was fine after that.

Stick to it & you'll eventually get over it.

Good Luck :)

[Axxion89 32]

Its been said but the best way to get through that mental hump is to experience it again. Happened to me with other sports like baseball. Once it happens again without injury, you will realize it was a freak accident/it doesn't always happen and you will move on.

[metalwinger13 1]

That happened with me after my injury.. took awhile to be back playing at my style. when i got back playing i was more cautious going into corners around people and chasing down a puck against slightly faster opponents and still am slightly but i feel more myself out there. Youll get back at it over time.. just take it easy and try and play your same style. Good luck man!!