Brainspotting for Sports Performance: Overcoming “the Yips” and Learning to Thrive Again

(This blog is based on Thad’s talk with fellow Brainspotting therapist Laura Reagan “Therapy Chat” Podcast, episode #298 titled “Brainspotting for Performance with Thad Frye, LCSW”)

In the world of sports, performance often hinges on a delicate balance of physical skill and mental fortitude. While athletes may dedicate countless hours to honing their technique, persistent slumps, anxiety, and repetitive performance problems can derail even the most talented individuals. Traditional approaches often focus on increased training, cognitive skill building or technique adjustments, but these methods may fall short when the root of the issue lies deeper within the athlete’s mind and body.

Brainspotting (BSP) offers a unique and effective approach to addressing these mental blocks. By targeting the subconscious mind and body, BSP can help athletes uncover and process underlying sports traumas that are hindering their performance.

The Mental Health Needs of Athletes

The pressures faced by elite athletes can be immense. The constant scrutiny, the need to perform at peak levels, and the isolation that often accompanies a competitive career can take a toll on mental health. High-profile athletes like Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles have bravely spoken out about their struggles with mental health, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues within, and outside, of the sports world.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these challenges for many athletes. With increased isolation, disrupted routines, and uncertainty about their future, many athletes experienced heightened anxiety and insecurity. The lack of regular training and competition also contributed to performance doubts and a sense of lost identity.

Slumps, Blocks, and “the Yips”

Slumps, blocks, and “the yips” (a sudden and unexplained loss of ability to execute certain skills in experienced athletes) are common issues faced by athletes at all levels. These mental obstacles can manifest in various ways, from sudden and unexplained loss of ability to persistent fear of failure. Often incorrectly these problems are attributed to a lack of motivation, mental weakness, or simply not working hard enough. However, the reality is more complex.

The Power of Brainspotting

Brainspotting is a powerful somatic modality for addressing these underlying issues. By identifying and processing the traumatic experiences stored in the body and brain, BSP can help athletes:

Reduce anxiety: Address pre-game jitters, performance anxiety, and post-game rumination.
Release muscle guarding: Overcome physical tension and tightness that can hinder performance.
Overcome the yips: Break free from unexplained loss of ability in specific skills.
Improve overall mental well-being: Foster resilience, confidence, and a positive mindset.

Understanding the Root of the Problem

Repetitive sports performance problems (RSPPs), coined by Dr. David Grand and Dr. Alan S. Goldberg in their landmark book “This is Your Brain on Sports,” often stem from trauma, both conscious and unconscious. These traumas can be stored in the body and mind, affecting performance, creating anxiety, and leading to physical constriction and focal distonia. By addressing these underlying traumas, BSP can help athletes get back to who they are as an athlete and unlock their full potential.

How Brainspotting Works

A Brainspotting session involves a trained BSP coach guiding the athlete through a process of somatic focused attention and eye positioning. This allows the athlete and/or the BSP coach to identify and target specific areas of the brain that are holding onto the traumatic memories, emotions and somatic sensations. By processing all of this, the athlete can gradually and profoundly release the associated tension and anxiety, leading to improved performance.

Key Benefits of Brainspotting for Athletes

Uncovers underlying traumas: Identifies and addresses hidden sources of performance anxiety and blocks.
Releases physical tension: Reduces muscle guarding and improves body awareness.
Enhances mental focus: Improves concentration and reduces distractions during competition.
Boosts confidence: Helps athletes overcome self-doubt and develop a belief in their abilities.
Improves emotional regulation: Develops coping mechanisms for managing stress and anxiety.

Brainspotting offers a valuable tool for athletes seeking to overcome mental blocks and achieve their full potential. By addressing the underlying sports traumas that can hinder performance, BSP can help athletes develop a more resilient mindset, reduce anxiety, feel more connected to their body and unlock their true expansive capabilities.