What happens next?
They say that athletes die twice: first when they leave the game and later when they actually pass away. Athletes may leave the game suddenly and early for a number of reasons that include personal or injury related, or at the end of their playing career due to retirement. Coping with life after playing their game ends is critical to deal with the transition-related emotional issues.
Leaving the game can include a time in which the athlete may need to grieve or mourn the psychological, social, and physiological losses. In addition to the physical activity itself and high compete level, they are often leaving behind a team, a coach, in some cases fan support, etc. If the athletes do not cope early on, they could find themselves facing clinical depression in the long run.
So what happens next? What can the athletes do to help cope?
Find balance
You hear the phrase frequently in the corporate world, but work life balance is a real thing. It is no different when it comes to sports, especially for an athlete transitioning out of the game. Finding a balance in their life between their sport and other passions or interests can play a major role during coping and transitioning out of the game. What other interests do you have? What is important to you?
Self awareness of identity
Athletes sometimes find a lot of their confidence and identify themselves and their role through their sport. Professional and elite athletes especially can have a difficult time separating from the game because of this connection. Self awareness of one's identity can help during the transition. For example, break down the different areas, roles, responsibilities, and aspects that are critical in your life. What else do you do that is important and has an impact? What else do you put your focus on?
Strong support system
Building a network to lean on during the coping and transition is a must-have. This includes not just family and friends, but also now former teammates and other connections you have made in the sport you were affiliated. It is helpful to have the support of those who care about your best interest, but it also is beneficial to have a network of help from the sports organizations including those who have been through transition out of the game already.
Stay connected
A lot of athletes find it helpful to stay involved in the sport when they are no longer competing. For example, some athletes will compete at a lower tier for recreation or fun, or participate in charity fundraising events. Other athletes will become scouts, broadcasters, reporters, color commentators, or any other number of role that allows them to travel, watch, and talk about the game they love so dearly. Some find themselves coaching, whether that is youth level or pros. This coping mechanism is not for all though, as you will see a few athletes leave the game entirely finding it painful to think about not playing anymore and a reminder of that feeling being around the sport.
Overall, the athletes should stay mindful of this reality that while they are living a dream competing in a sport that they love for a career, it is not permanent. Coping early and staying aware can only help the transition. Athletes can certainly reach out to a sport psychologist to speak more directly about their own career and the transition plans to best prepare on an individual basis.
You can search for a consultant in your area through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology
