The Right Way to Return to Play After Injury in Women’s Basketball
BY DR. MACHAELA SIMMONS, PT, DPT, CSCS
It’s estimated that nearly 90% of high school athletes experience an injury during their sports career. For women’s basketball players, that often means sprained ankles, ACL tears, or overuse injuries that can derail a season.
90% is a huge number. The reality is, if you’re a female basketball player, you’ll likely face at least one injury throughout your career. But what’s even more common? Athletes returning to play too soon. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and former Division I basketball player, I’ve seen how rushing the recovery process sets athletes up for setbacks, reinjury, and decreased performance.
The Common Mistake in Basketball Rehab
Here’s how most athletes handle rehab:
They go to the athletic trainer or PT after an injury.
They do the basic rehab for a couple of weeks.
Once the pain subsides, they stop treatment.
They jump right back into practice.
Sounds familiar? Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest mistakes in basketball rehab.
The absence of pain ≠ being game-ready.
Just because something doesn’t hurt anymore doesn’t mean your body is prepared for the demands of basketball—like sprinting, explosive jumps, quick directional changes, or contact. Skipping this reconditioning phase increases the risk of reinjury (often at the same site or somewhere new) and puts performance at risk.
So what should returning to basketball look like? Here’s a framework:
The Return to Play Stages for Basketball Athletes
Stage 1 – Repair and Recovery
Regain baseline movement
Reduce swelling and pain
Rebuild local strength
Stage 2 – Higher-Level Strength & Conditioning
Address and improve whole-body strength deficits
Re-introduce plyometrics
Build general conditioning back up
Stage 3 – Rebuilding Explosiveness
Controlled cutting, deceleration, and acceleration
Multi-directional drills
Intense plyometrics + continued strength training
Stage 4 – Transition Back to Practice
Start with warm-ups and predictable drills
Introduce non-contact, sport-specific movements
Emphasize landing mechanics, defensive slides, shooting while tired, etc.
Stage 5 – Full Practice → Game Clearance
Not just “no pain”
Confidence in live, unpredictable play
No hesitation, no compensation, no flare-ups
⚠️ The problem? Most athletes skip Stages 2–5. That’s why they end up back in the clinic.
Red Flags: When NOT to Return to Play
Parents, athletes, and coaches—watch for these signs your athlete isn’t ready:
Conditioning is poor: Out-of-shape athletes are at higher risk of injury.
Persistent pain or flare-ups after activity.
Mental hesitation or fear—favoring one side of the body, avoiding contact, or moving differently.
If these red flags show up, it’s a sign the athlete hasn’t fully earned their return yet.
How Parents & Coaches Can Support Athletes
Don’t pressure an early return.
Partner with professionals who bridge the gap between rehab and basketball performance (👋🏾I know somebody!).
Make sure athletes progress through every stage of return—not just stop when pain goes away.
Conclusion
The goal isn’t just to “get back on the court.” It’s to stay healthy, perform at your best, and extend your basketball career. That requires a full return-to-play process that blends physical therapy with strength and conditioning.
If you or your athlete are navigating the rehab-to-performance transition, I offer individualized online and in-person programs designed for basketball athletes. Learn more about how I can help you bridge the gap and truly earn your return.
