EFT and the Yips: Could Tapping Be the Cure Players Have Been Searching For?

If you’ve ever stood over a short putt, a dart, or a delivery in cricket and felt your body lock up, you’ll know how frustrating the yips can be. It’s not just about technique it’s the fear, tension, and loss of trust in yourself that makes it so hard to shake. The good news? EFT (tapping) has been shown in research to free athletes from the yips, restore smooth, natural movement, and bring confidence back into competition.

Golfers describe it as a “hesitant, jerky feeling” before impact. Darts players talk about being unable to let go of the dart. Cricketers describe the ball sticking in their hand mid-delivery. Across sports, the yips bring not only physical disruptions but also debilitating fear, embarrassment, and loss of confidence.

So what if there was a way to not just manage those symptoms, but actually resolve them at the root?

That’s where Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or “tapping,” comes in.

From Jerks to Smooth Swings

There's a growing body of evidence of research showing time and time again just how effective EFT is at helping overcome the yips. In a PhD study, golfers treated with EFT improved their putting success rate from 64% before treatment to 85% afterwards  and, crucially, that improvement held at both 4 weeks and 6 months later.

The jerks and twitches disappeared. Strokes felt smooth again. 

It Wasn’t Just the Swing…

What’s fascinating is that many players reported the yips began after a significant emotional event for example, a relationship breakdown, a career setback, or even family stress. Perfectionist and self-conscious traits made them even more vulnerable.

EFT works by addressing those emotional roots directly. Instead of just changing a grip or routine, tapping helps the player release the underlying fear, trauma, or pressure response that's contributing to this inconsistency.

When those emotions lift, the physical symptoms often follow. One cricketer reported bowling freely again and actually looking forward to competing after EFT intervention.

Players I work with often report personal bests, lower scores (in golf) and being able to play freely and easily.

Six Months Later… Still Yip-Free

What makes EFT different from the endless cycle of technical “fixes” is its staying power. In the dissertation research, athletes weren’t just better the next day, they were still better half a year later.

That’s almost unheard of with traditional adjustments, where the old twitch or freeze usually sneaks back after a few rounds or matches.

So much of the yips is tied to fear. Players describe feeling downright panic on short putts or crucial throws. EFT has been shown to rapidly reduce fear, anxiety, and even trauma responses. Once the emotional charge is gone, athletes can focus on the task and the body follows with smooth, natural movement.

Not Just Symptom Management

Most traditional solutions target the surface: switch the grip, change the stance, try new equipment. These can sometimes help straightaway, but usually only temporarily.

EFT, by contrast, gets the the root of unresolved emotional events which then combined with addressing perfectionist tendencies and pressure provides a very powerful solution.

Many players I work with describe EFT as life-changing.. even those who are skeptical to begin with.

So, Could EFT Be the Cure?

While more research is needed, the evidence we do have is compelling. EFT isn’t just a “mental trick”  it’s a tool that may resolve the emotional drivers of the yips and create long-term change.

We all know that emotions play such a big role in how we perform whether it's managing nerves, remaining composed, feeling confident.. and EFT gives us the opportunity to ensure our emotions support us, not hinder us.

If you would like to find out more and if EFT would be a good fit for you drop me a message at [email protected] or schedule a Zoom call here to talk through your situation and ask any questions.