08/04/2025
If you’ve ever experienced the yips, you know how frustrating it can be to suddenly struggle with a skill you’ve mastered countless times. It’s like your body betrays you, especially when you need it most. But overcoming the yips isn’t about forcing yourself to practice harder, it’s about retraining your mind to stay calm, confident, and focused under pressure. Here are 3 practical strategies that can help you push through:
1. Let Go of Control (Seriously!) – The more you try to control your movement, the tighter and more anxious you become. Try to let go of perfection and focus on relaxed, easy movements. It’s not about doing it perfectly, it’s about feeling free and letting your body do what it knows how to do.
2. Shift Your Thoughts – The yips can come with a whole lot of negative self-talk. Instead of focusing on what might go wrong, start practicing cognitive shifting. Acknowledge your anxiety and refocus on something productive, like the rhythm of your breath or how the ball feels in your hand. Changing the focus can instantly calm those nerves and boost your confidence.
3. Use Mental Breaks to Reset – When you’re feeling tense, take a moment to reset your mind. Mentally walk through your movements and focus on the basics, your stance, the grip, the rhythm. This helps to ground you and tap into muscle memory, making it easier to get back in the game.
The yips are frustrating, but they don’t have to be permanent. With these strategies, you can regain control, stay grounded, and perform with confidence again.