You know about the golfing yips, the putting yips, the throwing yips/throwing problem.  But it’s always interesting to see it in other sports.

The Australian Olympic team captain Steve Hooker is suffering from the pole vaulting yips right now.

As you’ll see on this video

What does he need to do?

Think positive!?

Well, yes.  But he’s tried that.  He

I was talking with a new 1-1 player I’m working with and after one session he went out and had one great game.  Then made a mistake the next game and the anger and frustration he got from it was huge.

He tried to do his ABCs and focus on the present moment and do his routine, but the tsunami of emotion pumping through his system was far too great to be held back.

He played badly the next two games.

Now we’ve had another session and cleared out more “mental”/energetic gunk, and we’ll see how he does.  One session can do a lot, but people like vaulter Hooker needs to

1) find the source of his problem and clear it out
2) clear out all the embarrassment and trauma that’s happened since this problem started.

He’s working with Aussie mental game coaches for sure.  My fear is they don’t have the right weapon to reach the problem.

As with throwing and putting, this isn’t a mechanical problem.  Working on his mechanics, and even getting him to focus on the positive, be in the present moment, will not likely be enough to get at it.

Buying a new lawn mower or cutting your grass in a different direction won’t fix a weed problem

Watch this video for more:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/athletics/coming-to-grips-with-yips-20120217-1ter2.html

I’m swamped with yippers right now but will do everything I can to get you in if you’d like help with your yips.

Dr. Tom