KQED's Forum ‘The Yips’ Are Real and They Can Happen to Anyone
Feb 20, 2026
Bonnie Tsui, journalist and athlete who writes about movement and muscle memory, and Dr. Daya Grant, neuroscientist and Olympic mental performance consultant, unpack sudden performance blocks like the yips. They explore how pressure disrupts motor patterns, distinctions between yips and choking, mental training tools like imagery and breathwork, and paths to recovery and renewed joy in sport.
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How Muscle Memory Breaks Under Pressure
- Muscle memory lives in motor neurons, not muscles, so skilled actions become automatic after repetition.
- Pressure floods cognition and interrupts those automated motor patterns, pushing performers out of flow.
Ilya Malinin's Flood Of Thoughts
- Ilya Malinin described a sudden flood of memories and negative thoughts before his start pose.
- He said the pressure and those overwhelming thoughts may have overwhelmed him during the program.
Yips Versus Choking
- The yips combine psychological pressure with involuntary physical jerks, distinct from a one-off choke.
- Choking can be acute; the yips can become chronic and career-ending if untreated.
