great. When I returned home to Pennsylvania and began practicing with some very good players and a new partner, however, my serve began to flounder.
At first it was an occasional miss, then eventually I was missing nearly every serve.
The vicious cycle of the yips— each bad serve leading to more anxiety— was taking a toll on my mental game as well.
While researching the condition, I found a few remedies to combat it.
A change in technique can help. For example, a golfer may benefit from changing equipment or the way the putter is held. In pickleball, switching from a volley serve to a drop serve, or even trying to serve backhanded can change things up enough to improve the task.
Seeking the expertise of a sports psychologist. This can help an athlete overcome the yips and learn to use a combination of relaxation, visualization and positive thinking to lessen anxiety, resulting in an improvement in performance. In my case, after many weeks of inconsistent play and mounting frustration, I resolved to overcome no matter what.
Talking with a good friend who has also experienced the yips. One of my friends assured me that my pickleball game was not over and that I’ d get through the rough patch.
Practicing relentlessly. I hit ball after ball from my driveway into the backyard— with my cocker spaniel, Bailey, serving as my enthusiastic retriever. I would arrive early for matches and practice my serves, often hitting 10 good serves in a row. Despite my success while practicing, however, the yips would return the moment I stepped onto the court to play a game.
Going back to the basics. I reminded myself to slow down, not look up, keep my eye on the ball, and follow through— all the things I had learned when I first started playing pickleball, and a routine that had long been committed to muscle memory.
I also started to make myself breathe. I realized my performance anxiety was making me hold my breath
while serving. Deep breaths helped calm me both physically and mentally.
I concentrated on a small target on the crosscourt service box, which seemed to help me narrow my focus. Finally, I returned to hitting the most basic and slow serve possible, nothing fancy, no spin, etc.
Slowly, but surely, I began to see improvement. My serve started landing inbounds more frequently, and the physical act of serving began to feel normal again. Over time, my anxiety diminished, and I no longer had to overthink my serves. After nearly four months, I conquered the yips! My journey through the yips was challenging, but emerging on the other side has made me a more resilient player and person. The experience showed me that the mind can be trained just like the body.
So if you find yourself in a similar struggle, take heart in knowing that you can conquer it with the right mindset and grow to become a stronger player. •
Wendy Gilpin, PhD, is enjoying retirement by playing a lot of pickleball and traveling the world after a long career in academia, government and international development.
MAY / JUNE 2026 | MAGAZINE 57