Returning From Injury Psychology

Overview → The Rival → Session Notes
Session Notes The Rival
Addressing:

Playing Scared

The tentative, half-committed movement pattern that emerges when you don't trust your body yet. You find yourself pulling out of challenges, avoiding certain positions, and performing at half your normal pace, knowing you're playing scared but unable to override the hesitation.

How The Rival Can Overcome Playing Scared When Returning From Injury

Posted on December 13, 2025 ~ min read
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For: The Rival athletes in Returning From Injury
Focus: Session Notes - Playing Scared
Read Time: ~8 min
Session Notes December 13, 2025
Profile: The Rival
Sport: Returning From Injury
Challenge: Playing Scared

In this article, you'll learn the exact protocol to overcome Playing Scared when returning from injury. The Rival iconThe Rival (EOTA) sport profile faces a unique psychological trap during comeback phases. Your competitive edge has always come from studying opponents, reading patterns, and executing calculated strategies. Now your body has become the opponent you cannot outthink.

Playing Scared in Returning From Injury means the tentative, half-committed movement pattern that emerges when trust in your body evaporates. Athletes pull out of challenges they once dominated. They avoid positions that used to feel automatic. Performance drops to half-pace while the mind screams that something feels wrong.

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Vladimir Novkov

M.A. Social Psychology | ISSA Elite Trainer | Expert in Sport Psychology for Athlete Development

My mission is to bridge the gap between mind and body, helping athletes and performers achieve a state of synergy where peak performance becomes a natural outcome of who they are.

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Explore Other Mental Challenges

Different challenges require different approaches. Explore solutions for other mental challenges in Returning From Injury:

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