(S)Tumbling Blocks: Making Sense of and Creating a Model for Mental Blocks in Sport.

This article focuses on athletic skill mental blocks (ASMBs), a psychological phenomenon where athletes are unable to perform previously mastered skills, commonly known as "the yips" or "the twisties." Through qualitative research involving 16 elite collegiate and professional athletes and coaches from baseball, golf, and tumbling, the study uses sensemaking theory to explore athletes' and coaches' retrospective understanding of ASMBs, including the phenomenon itself, perceived causes (such as anxiety, injury, and difficulty with "touch"), coping strategies, and consequences. Communication—both internal self-talk and interactions with coaches, family, and teammates—is highlighted as a critical factor in how athletes make sense of and manage ASMBs. The research contributes a cross-sport vocabulary and conceptual model to aid destigmatization and improve support for athletes experiencing ASMBs, while emphasizing the need for sensitive coach communication and mental health resources.