Step by Step How I Overcame "The Yips"

I had tried every method I could find and nothing helped me. I tried positive visualization, creating a routine, and so much more. I am not a sport's psychologist nor do I claim to be. However, this is my story of overcoming the yips. The Yips are crippling and they are based in our fear of how we are perceived. My journey in the yips began in college and didn't become resolved until years later. I had to face my fear and explore it rather than run from it. Rather than convincing myself that everything was okay, I had to face my fear of failure and become okay with the fact that sometimes I was going to fail! It was a mental battle, and it was exhausting showing up to the field every day with this mental burden. We must find our identity in something other than baseball so that we are not placing so much unnecessary pressure on ourselves.
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[@AntonEberhart]

“Baseball isn’t who you are, it’s just a thing that you do.”-Coach Rac. That’s wise advice young man! Gald to see you seeking advice and seeking GOD!

[@ryanwitt7947]

I have had the yips for almost 6 years now and this might be the best advice I have ever gotten

[@OCBB2032]

A soon as he said that he looked up "how to cure the yips" I said out loud, "NOTHING. YOU WILL FIND NOTHING"

[@LG215x]

The yips for 6 years??? Lmaooo naw bro you’re just booty cheeks

[@alexmaheux2369]

Great advice and story. Yips ended my career as a catcher.

[@BennyWinslow]

This was incredibly profound young man. I look forward to following your career...wherever it goes. - Benny

[@eliandjessica878]

You’re awesome! Thanks for sharing that great testimony. Gonna share this with my daughter.

[@kairasmussen5718]

Late to this video, don't comment a lot, but I have never seen a video that hit so close to home for me, working through a hitting slump, this single youtube video helped me more than weeks in the cage, thank you.

[@CadenPoynter-7]

“You are the only one that I fear.” Thank you Coach RAC 🙏

[@user-mo3us5iw3d]

Absolutely love your channel and this advice helped me a lot. Thanks, keep up the good work

[@coachrac]

So glad to hear it!🙏🏻

[@micahtaylor2126]

That is the best thing I've ever heard, thank you so much, god bless you man you're the best

[@alvar1]

Really great video man!❤❤❤

[@ronldg805]

GREAT story. My kids are all engaged in upper level youth sports and I definitely notice the pressure getting to them more often. We are also a faith-based family and I try to remind them that God is always with them even when their confidence is suffering. It seems to help some but exploring, deep-diving, and facing their fears is something that we haven't tried. Makes so much sense as it's something we all have to do at some point in our daily lives. Thanks so much for your content.

[@87KNOTSaka100MPH]

That was very powerful. Thank you.

[@jonsmith2252]

Fantastic video, god bless you!

[@GS-gf8qq]

Love the videos Rac, great positive vibes im a middle age man looking for a bat for the batting cages with the hard yellow baseballs wanna get just some basic cardio!

[@joshua4747]

I just downloaded this video. I love how you talked about God.. I needed that

[@andresgmoralesrodriguez4308]

Thanks ima try this hope it helps keep the great content I send lots of support

[@user-kd9ip9sy7b]

Thank you for sharing your precious experienceo😊

[@MangoTalksTech]

Coach this was awesome, seriously thank you. God bless you!

[@coachrac]

thanks so much!!

[@Praise___YaH]

Guys, Here is our Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified/Pierced for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Egyptian Semitic: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moshe (Moses) wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Egyptian Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@sandeepdhandharia7342]

Thanks Coach RAC. It was superb. I have been suffering from Yips in Snooker for last 9 years and wondering whether this method will work in my case.

[@gingging2465]

Thanks for the advice

[@OCBB2032]

I struggle playing catch with my 9-year-old son because of a "scared of criticism" mindset. Seems silly, but I just want him to never see me fail. Really, I have a hard time with anyone seeing me fail...I wish I had the mindset information that you have when I was younger. I look forward to talking about this with my son about this mindset and role modeling "how to fail" with confidence. One thing I have always noticed about myself is that I am more critical of others in my head, but never outwardly. I think I have programed myself to assume that everyone else is always doing the same. So, in my head, but also in their head, while trying to stay out of my head to ensure my performance doesn't give them anything to criticize me about in their head......ha....:D In-head-ception My "power through" and "brute force" approach right is not working. Time to try something new. Thank you.

[@yolo525]

I think all the same things you do, that’s crazyy

[@AdamtheKnight]

This really helped, and I just bought that “power tee” the other day as well, I hit bombs of that thing lmao (now jut gotta put it in live AB’s and I’m set)

[@ryanmcclure8455]

Your my favorite baseball content creator

[@TXRANGER5]

That might of been the best video ever

[@BobbyBoca]

1000000000000% brother this is amazing The Yips screwed hurt my baseball career big time !

[@Jet_is_Better]

WOW your the Best I want to be like you when I grow up

[@a_doggo]

FASCINATING video... I've always struggled to understand the Yips - I was lucky to never get them during my career, which I've attributed to my own anxiety disorder - when anything started bothering me about my consistency, I was on top of it - just like I was forced to be with my anxiety. Perhaps the medications I take helped, but I don't think anyone is immune. It seems to be a combination of multiple things (to me) - perhaps it's performance anxiety that starts things, but I really do think there's a biomechanical or sensory-motor type of component to it that makes it far more confusing than a single-cause condition. Since I battled "the yips" for years successfully, I've told my story to teams, and helped other pros get through it. My advice: #1) Listen to Coach Rac and anyone else with experience. Really listen to them. #2) Do not quit, but understand that you may need to take "a break" - this may mean switching positions, pitching/catching for a few weeks, trying to throw guys out at home from LF, and possibly abandoning your natural position or hitting technique until you're able to rebuild and get back into the action at your usual spot. #3) Remember, this is not a reflection on you or your skill, and if handled well, it's likely to never happen again. #4) Surround yourself with positive people who knows your true capabilities. If you switch teams and get the yips, and you have no support, and no one to know your capabilities besides the scouts, then it's going to be tough. Start a chat group with your old baseball buddies and talk about all your games. #5) Good luck. Keep learning. They will go away - if not now, then probably between seasons. Keep switching things up a tiny bit until you've ironed out whatever kinks are getting you caught up, and never let your mentality drag your down - stay positive and optimistic, track your progress, and know that each day you're closer to getting back to peak performance.

[@brittany7657]

My first time on your channel . Thank you

[@coachrac]

Welcome! 🙏🏻

[@sarahtobin1919]

Can you make a video of how to move to the start of the lineup from the bottom

[@BraydogGD]

So relatable as a third baseman it feels like I’m throwing 300 ft

[@hamy4327]

love the chanel

[@aaronguzman7583]

I’m bating 0.13 rn in my league I hope this will help me coach thanks

[@Kieffer12]

Hey coach… do you have any information on controlling your emotions on the field?

[@Madddoggydog]

played basketball for 12+ years, now playing recreationally, and suddenly plagued with the yips, it comes and goes, some games I legit spasm when shooting a three, bear in mind I am a deadeye shooter (90%+) in practice, but somehow my muscles seize in games time to time... dont even feel nervous.. freethrows are even worse, my arms dont feel connected to my body at all.

[@Fo6-mj2hg]

I started floating with my headphones on when he said your scared of man

[@foggy_popcorn47]

i’ve been reading the mental game of baseball, great book for overcoming mental anxiety in baseball and in life. One topic was that fear is an illusion, it can be you’re greatest enemy, or ally. it also said that baseball isn’t who you are and doesn’t determine your value, hence coach rac. people deal with things different, but you should find a way to attack your fear than hide from it.

[@zacharyhoffman3968]

Haaaamazing

[@F2BASEBALL]

What does it take to make it to the MLB

[@bertmj23]

Amen!

[@FireAbaki]

Read the book - “Choke” It’s on audible, worth a listen.

[@FireAbaki]

She kind of mentions a similar technique in the book. Samurai would also visualize their death to become at peace with it. Sometimes visualizing the perfect scenario can set you up for too high of expectations. Visualizing failure and how you will react to it can free you up mentally not just in sports but in life as well.

[@ZurikanFX7]

Growing up playing hockey I definitely had the yips

[@OhNoIts33]

Oh my god like 5 minutes of this could just be said in like 15 seconds. He goes in circles

[@chasecarter7421]

Its an embarrassing problem, but I have a problem with hitting and I was wondering if you could help me fix it. Every AB I have, I'm always late. I get my front foot down, and I've tried every solution. "Swinging until you're not" just doesn't work for me for some reason. I just keep deciding late. Any advice?

[@lololuevano9036]

Instead of thinking thst you are going to decide weather to hit the ball or not think of it like this. You want to think that you are going to swing the whole time the pitch is coming until you see it isn’t a good pitch because deciding if you are going to swing or not takes to long because you are thinking. Rather the other option I told you about is more of a reaction that requires no thinking.

[@robkutner3193]

I like this 'yes, yes, no' approach.@@lololuevano9036 I've also hit harder when trying to hit the ball out front vs letting travel. This doesn't mean pulling everything, but hitting line drives by staying inside out. A camwood bat helps with this feel.

[@JosiahG17]

I need to know how do I practice by myself with no equipment needed I keep telling my self I want to train it’s my dream but it doesn’t happen I want to I really do I’m 13 and I need to start working hard I know I do but I just don’t every day I tell my self tomorrow I will work harder than I did yesterday but you know what it doesn’t happen could you help me figure this out I would really like to here from you if that’s ok

[@Showboatberger]

Hey Josiah, I want to offer my perspective on your issue. Coming from my own life, I know what I need to do to succeed, but sometimes I find myself seemingly unable to get up and go do it. No matter what it is. But what always, and I say always gets me up from my slothfulness is realizing that God gave me one Life. Only one. Not two, not three. Just, one. He GAVE it to me as a gift and as a blessing. To say it frankly, it would be ungrateful for me to not try to use every single second of my day to honor him in everything I do. Whether it’s baseball, school, etc. Colossians 3:23 says, “”Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,“. So, what does that mean for you? Realize that time is shorter than it seems. You hear all the time older people saying that life is short, and that is cause it is. In comparison to how much time you will spend in God in heaven, our time on earth is infinitely smaller in comparison. Life is a blessing from God. Use it. ❤

[@apathyandagony5512]

And what do you do if you have no one in your life who won't judge you for being less then perfect?

[@Showboatberger]

Praise God Almighty!

[@Bearsfan85kmet]

My yips are under throwing not over

[@StonewallStacks]

Same. Warming up was a nightmare. I’d basically have to lob the ball to make sure it made it to my throwing partner accurately. Strangely the only time I didn’t have the issue was when I moved to the OF and throw a relay (as long as they were a good distance away) or hose it to home plate. I’d throw perfect throws and my mental worry would never enter my head. It has become so weird.

[@Bearsfan85kmet]

@@StonewallStacks my throws to pitcher and when we do infield to home are bad

[@StonewallStacks]

@@Bearsfan85kmet yeah if it’s not a long distance it’s in my head 100 percent of the time and I am 5-8 feet left or right and throwing it straight in the ground. After I moved to catcher in our 30+ league I became embarrassed as I had to throw lollipops just so the ball it get there accurately. It started in the 8th grade as before that I was a pitcher with great control that never had any kind of mental hiccups. I’d sail a couple balls but it was at least somewhat in the right at the catcher but a lot in the dirt or high. It just progressed from there on out.

[@Larstappen]

Did you film/upload this on toaster, 240p?!?!?

[@babeita1420]

Work on your imbalances brotha. Your jaw and psoas need some work

[@wimbo2990]

this is genius

[@Exspository_Fiction]

As a 3rd basemen myself who suffers the yips, this actually will change my baseball career