Many players I’ve worked with see themselves in this video: Cricket bowling yips; problems /solutions
Below is a little more in depth look at how I have been able to help these players get back to enjoying playing again.
From being the man to hiding behind a rock
What you describe is quite common with the bowlers I help, they go from being the main man to hiding behind a rock – the main objective of being able to make a contribution to the team and enjoy playing the game you once loved disappears, often becoming a nightmare, effecting every aspect of your life.
From my experience of working with many players – of different levels- over the years; the problem is not a mechanical one, because of the trauma of a bad experience (which then translates into a number of bad experiences) the body doesn’t feel its safe for you to bowl, strangely your brain is trying to protect you from being embarrassed by not letting you let go of the ball. This is also common with bowls players- the underlying fear of a poor result.
A new path
The underlying trauma from those past experiences triggers the fight, flight, flee response in the body.
I help in my sessions by:
- Releasing the trauma from past experiences – this helps the body feel safe
- Focusing on the future, getting my players to visualise practicing in the net, progression to bowling in games.
- When they begin to feel comfortable, visualise progressive scenarios; opening the bowling, coming in a different times in the match, particular teams, players, grounds you have a problem with etc
- Helping players develop a pre-bowl routine (fills that crucial space in a positive way) when you walk back to your mark to bowl- top tennis players, golfers use this before playing a shot as it helps the body feel safe.
- Help the bowlers recognise ‘interference’ fear of failure, fear of looking poor in front of others, letting people down etc. It’s common to feel this, however it can create tension, stress in the body.
- Helping players re-connect with that side of them that knows how to play and enjoy paying again often proves to be is a win, win for family, friends as well as teammates.
If you’re struggling with yips, contact me for a FREE initial consultation on sean@confidenceontap.com or 07818851643 You tell me about your challenges, I’ll then say how I feel I can help, if that’s okay we can then arrange a session. Sessions are an hour by zoom, facetime or whattsapp. My fee is £60.
“Sean I applied the methods during the game on Saturday, then again on Sunday. What can i say, it made a huge difference. I am sincerely shocked on the impact! bowled my overs without issue, and took wickets.” Jordon