The Phenomenon of the Yips in High-Level Performance

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This chapter delves into the experience of high-level performers facing 'the yips,' a condition where individuals abruptly lose their skills under pressure. It narrates the struggles of a baseball prodigy, Rick Enchio, as he grapples with uncertainty and a loss of control during a crucial playoff game. The chapter explores the psychological toll, stigma, and the journey to regain control and overcome this mental block in performance.

Think about the thing you’ve practiced more than anything else in the world. Maybe it’s painting. Or writing. Or playing the piano. Now imagine you wake up one day and you just can’t do it. You’re not sick. You’re not injured. But that one thing is impossible.

It’s called the yips, and even the most talented people in the world experience it. What could cause them to lose their superpowers? And is there anything they can do to get them back?

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