A multi-week injury. A family emergency. Players can be forced to miss parts, or even entire seasons on short to no notice. There is a huge difference between a planned change in off-season versus an unexpected absence. The season has to go on without them, even if there is hope they return later. So how does a team handle this absence from the starting roster?

Their absence will be felt, they filled a key piece on the team. It doesn’t matter if they were team leader, a star player, or one piece of a much larger picture. The team played around them. This is where a key concept of team dynamics becomes most important. Everyone has to understand their role. Understand what they brought to the team, and what is now missing. Others can step into that now missing space, but importantly without trying to directly replace them. If a team leader is out stepping up to be the new leader doesn’t mean trying to be the best imitation that you can be. It means understanding what your version of being a leader looks like and embracing that.

Recognize that there will be an adjustment period both at the start, and upon their return. It would be a mistake to expect the new player to fill the shoes of the expected starter. The team has to integrate a new player into their systems. Catching this new person up to speed on how the team wants to play, how the team communicates, and how the team manages themselves is a big task especially when it comes right before or during a season. New ideas will be learned and adopted as the team gets adjusted to the new way it functions. However, when the starter returns helping them readjust to the team and schedule is just as important. No matter what the reason for their absence going from not playing to being in full swing for the season, or even playoffs, can be a hard adjustment. Be ready to relearn lessons that were learned before they left.

Sudden absences of a player, especially a star player, is never fun. But it doesn’t mean that season gets paused, or the losses and wins don’t count. The rest of the team needs to continue playing, which means stepping up into roles they may not have expected or wanted to fill. It means understanding that dynamics will change and that new ideas will have to discussed. Accepting and understanding the changes that come with the absence is key.