Individual Crises from Unexpectedly Low Performances in Competition: A Focus on Choking under Pressure, Yips, and Mental Blocks

In this chapter, we discuss the established individual-level underperformance “crises” within a game situation that could extend over multiple games or a season. We briefly consider different types of underperformances before directing our attention toward three immediate, unexpected performance deteriorations: choking under pressure (i.e., choking), the “yips”, and mental blocks. While one person experiences choking, another may display “clutch” performance, which involves achieving self-referenced goals under pressure (Schweickle et al., Psychol Sport Exerc 62:102238, 2022). Since underperformances have easily observable signs and symptoms, this makes early detection and improved chance of clutch performances possible by receiving sport psychology counseling and applied interventions. Thus, after providing a theoretical overview of such constructs, we then offer anecdotal and theoretically linked applied interventions that may help alleviate these sudden performance crises. Finally, we also attempt to differentiate these underperformances to help the reader recognize them and determine which applied interventions and consulting approaches can be implemented to help promote clutch performances. If these performance crises are not addressed, then (at the least) dropout from sport, or (at the very most) mental health difficulties (and possibly depressive symptoms) may occur especially for the invested, experienced athlete.