Guide To Treating And Preventing Yips

Focus On What Not How

One way to manage performance anxiety is to focus on what, not how. The yips often happen when athletes are trapped in overthinking spirals that distract them from their ability to execute a task. Overthinking can lead individuals to fixate on how a shot needs to happen, how many strokes they need for this tournament, and how everyone else will see them. These kinds of big-picture thoughts aren't helpful during a shot; it's better for individuals to strategize in their downtime. When it's time to take a shot, Their only thoughts should be about the angle, force, wind, and other considerations affecting that individual shot. Once they've taken the shot, they can focus on other things.