Understanding the Yips

The Yips.

It’s a performance problem that leads to head scratching or even laughter. It’s hard for an observer to understand and even harder for the athlete. A skill practiced for years, completely gone or glitching out. Performance becomes erratic.

It impacts even the greatest athletes. Simone Biles, Chuck Knoblauch, Steve Sax, Rick Ankiel, Hayden Hurst, and Mackey Sasser are all famous examples. There are versions of it in every sport.

News flash. The mental toughness myths and traps contribute to the development of the problem.

The Yips, a term I hate using, are often the body’s way of expressing a vulnerability, fear, or a reaction to trauma, physical injury, or all of the above. The myths and traps say you should hide it or eliminate it because you were born soft. That’s the foundation it’s built on.

Great news. Third generation therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Brain spotting are effective when these performance glitches show up. I’ve worked with many athletes who have overcome them.

If you want to learn more, check out the 30 for 30 short called Fields of Fear. It tells the unlocking story of these approaches. You don’t have to understand how it works. You just need to know that it does.

Want to learn how to conquer those glitches and overcome the myths and traps? We can help with a keynote, training, or one on one coaching.