Relations between the Experience of the Yips and Athletes’ Psychological Growth

Abstract

Traditionally, the 'yips' has been known as a movement disorder observed when a golfer is putting (e.g., [1]) and according to a survey that McDaniel, et al. [1] conducted on 1050 golfers, there was a 42% response rate and 28% reported that they had experienced the yips. Furthermore, according to a survey that Smith, et al. [2] conducted on 1031 golfers, 541 (52%) responded that they had experienced the yips in the past. On the other hand, baseball players also suffer from the yips in the same way[3, 4]. Commonly noted characteristics of the yips include a sudden inability to perform a previously natural action or motion [2], an inability to control one's own body as intended [5], and chronic or perpetual symptoms [6, 7]. As reported in baseball, the yips primarily manifests in actions like pitching and throwing the ball [8]. Therefore, previous studies on the yips in baseball players have used special terminology such as "psychogenetic

Process of Psychological Growth Associated with the Experience of the Yips Using the Trajectory Equifinality Model

“…On the other hand, scores were not significantly higher for the yips group on any subscale compared to those for the other groups. Matsuda et al (2018) correlated these findings with the findings of a previous study and pointed out that the psychological growth observed in people who have experienced the yips is not merely because of the experience of the yips, as overcoming the yips also plays an important role in growth.…”

“…However, in the study by Matsuda et al (2018), only the relevance between the experience of the yips, overcoming the affliction, and psychological growth as an athlete is demonstrated; the kind of pathway that brings about these associations (e.g., the process by which an athlete experiences the yips and overcomes the affliction, then demonstrates psychological growth) has not been verified. By clarifying the process just described, this study can help athletes who have experienced the yips or an athlete's coach to reconsider how they recognize and cope with the yips.…”

“…In addition to these earlier studies, Matsuda et al (2018) speculated that the experience of the yips is not only a negative influence psychologically, but there is the possibility that it may bring about psychological growth for an athlete.…”