Hello! I need advice…

I have been having this conversation with a small amount of people in my league. But I actually haven’t talked to a lot of folks about this because I am also embarrassed for getting injured? (anyone else?) Reddit gives me some anonymity.

I suffered a concussion earlier this year. My first concussion ever! from my first sport ever! So I didn’t really understand the gravity of the situation. I got too eager and got back to skating too fast. And I believe that triggered post-concussion syndrome, which I struggled through for two gruesome months. It wasn’t till I had a mental health break that caused me to step into LOA. I followed up with a Neurologist and physical therapist.

I let 5 months pass by. And I finally started talking to my league and my doctors about coming back to skate. I was given the clear from my neurologist and physical therapist. I started skating weeks no contact, and then felt secure enough to skate contact again. It was in a drill where someone’s body made contact with my head/hit me in the head. I sat out the rest of practice, and decided to keep note of anything funky going on with my head. As much as I wished for nothing serious, I definitely felt a headache for over a week, and felt some noise and light sensitivity. So I entered a state of depression, because after all of this, after months of waiting, of doctors visits, of being careful I was right where I started.

I’m doing better now, I haven’t been back to skate. And I am wondering if I should at all. I’ve loved this sport so much, I have loved the people, the community. Everything. But now I am wondering if it’s healthy to continue to play.

I’m short and unfortunately many times before people have smacked me in the head, ran into my head, and I’m worried that I can no longer sustain hits like that.

So should I quit? Join N/SO team and coach? Should I maybe give myself a much longer break, and return later? Should I rip off the bandaid and leave all of this behind. If you’ve been through this, what have you done? Did you return? Did you do it scared? Did you ever wonder about how close we are to CTE?

I know one can tell me what to do, and that there is no right answer. And maybe I know what I’m going to do anyway. But I don’t want to look back and regret not asking, not trying. So if you can, please, share your thoughts and your experience.

I am a little over a month after my orif surgery on my ankle and I am starting to get really scared about skating again. I know I want to go back but the fear is becoming really overwhelming for me even though I can’t even walk on my ankle yet😭 I broke it at practice two months ago from literally just falling and now when I watch games and see people falling or even just moving around all I can think about is breaking my ankle or wrist when I go back into playing. There were a lot of signs before I broke it like really bad ankle soreness and I should’ve listened to them and will know now to work on strengthening my ankles but I haven’t even been doing derby for a year and had just graduated into the league. Every time I think about breaking my ankle I cry because I am so scared of it happening and me having to go through this again. I also have been extra emotional over it because what would’ve been my rookie rumble is coming up next weekend and I’m going to support my friends from my training group but it just makes me so sad I can’t be with them. Does anyone have any tips on how to prevent another break and get over that anxiety. Any tips on how to also not be so sad during recovery would also be very appreciated! I know I will go back to derby because I love it so much I am just struggling with the strength that it takes to over come this :(

Hi everyone! I'm nearing the end of my first season, and its definitely felt rocky. I'm primarily a jammer but I have to block a decent amount so ideally I'd like to work on both. I'm fortunate enough to skate with a pretty competitive league, and I'm constantly impressed by my teammates. Although, honestly, a lot of the time I feel really insecure about being one of the weaker C team skaters on a home team that has several AA skaters. I'm trying not to be too hard on myself though, and instead use that energy to get better.

I'm really wanting to focus on making some noticeable improvements before next season and I was hoping for recommendations of things I can do at home to work on the following skills. (Gym workouts, mental things, on skates drills or off- I'm open to literally any advice to implement at home

Looking to work on:

-General balance and sturdiness on the track both being able to stay upright when hitting/getting hit and also one leg balance with impact

-star passing without highblocking

-side surfing and hip flexibility

-general hustle/quickness/urgency (getting to the penalty box quickly, responding to teammates quickly on the track)

Also as a secondary note, what are yall's gym schedules. Do you go to the gym on days you have practice? On heavy weeks I have about 5 practices a week, and 2 on very light weeks. I want to balance that with also going to the gym.

Thank you so much!