🤕 Even injured, you're still part of the team! (S2.21)
- janie724
- Jul 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 18
Episode of February 10, 2025
In this episode of Kick's Cheer Podcast, we tackle an often-overlooked but super important topic: how to stay relevant to your team even when you're injured. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent, this podcast is a reminder that cheer is about more than stunts and jumps—it's about teamwork, even on the bench. 💪💙
🧠 Being present, even when injured, is already important.
When you're injured, you might think, "I can't stunt anymore, I can't do gymnastics... so I'm useless." Wrong! Just being there, present at practice, is huge. You can:
Encourage your teammates
Learn the counts of your routine.
Simulate your movements alongside your stunt.
Do visualization and stay connected with your team.
It helps you stay in the beat, keep your motivation, and above all not lose your place.
Stay active… differently 💯
If you're injured in one part of your body, you still have the rest! You can do some appropriate muscle strengthening:
Injured wrist? Work your legs!
Ankle on hold? Focus on your upper body!
Some gyms even offer small, specific conditioning programs for injured athletes. It's a great way to stay in shape and come back stronger.
❤️ Coaches and parents: an essential role
Coaches can help by giving small, simple but rewarding tasks :
Film the stunts for analysis.
To be a moral support for the group.
Please note: an injured athlete is not a mini-coach. He is still an athlete. Instructions always come from the coach.
Parents, for their part, need to understand that going to the gym while injured isn't a waste of time. In fact, it's essential. Their support and confidence are important to prevent their child from withdrawing into themselves or losing motivation.
‼️ Don't fade away... in order not to be replaced.
An athlete who stays involved, who trains as best they can despite their injury, shows the coach that they want to keep their spot. But if, on the other hand, you sit in a corner and seem disengaged… a motivated substitute might just take your place for good.
Bottom line: your injury does not define you.
An injury slows you down, but it doesn't stop you. You're still a full-fledged member of your team. You can contribute, evolve, and even grow as an athlete despite this physical break. And who knows? Maybe you'll come back even stronger, more disciplined, more motivated.
So, the next time you walk into the gym with a splint, remember: You're useful. You're a cheerleader. Injured or not.
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