My date with Barney

When I started this journey, all of three weeks ago, the dreams were big and the gap between the treble 20 and where my first dart landed was bigger. I had a roughly sketched route of development made out in my head, as you can see in my first post; focus on training and begin competing at my local club.

So why do I find myself facing the nerve jingling prospects of taking to the oche against none other that Raymond Van Barneveld in November? As in four weeks away, that November. Thanks to the local club, who are holding a fundraiser, I along with 17 others will pit their wits against the former World Champion. Once I got over the initial shock, and changed my boxers having soiled myself, I began thinking that this is probably the best thing that could have happened in terms of my journey to become a pro.

There’s Optimism and then there’s Stupidity

So I severely doubt I am going to beat Barney. Ok, so you can ask what is the point in playing him if you are saying that from the off. Instead of daydreaming about beating him, I really want to use this as a focus point for my practice. It’s time to knuckle down now and do as much work as I can in the next couple of weeks to just pressure him in the legs, and somehow trying to control my inevitable nervous twitch.

Practice is going fairly well, for a number of reasons. Before this week, I was thinking way too much about the throw, neglecting to let what feels natural just happen. I was worrying about my arm, elbow, fingers, grip etc. The speed, action and stance were other factors I was stressing over, and by the time it felt right, my arm was sore from holding it up for so long.

Now that I have an action I am comfortable with, and one that is helping me group the darts a whole lot better, I am starting to throw regular 100’s and the odd 140. I am still struggling with certain single numbers for some reason, like 11 for example. I just can’t hit it.

Aidan, you require 124

This was the highlight of the week for me. Having spent half an hour on a few different doubles, I started a leg of 501 and started with a 140. Following this up with 60 and a few poor visits, I managed to get down to 124. Consulting with my check out table, it told me to go T60, T16, D8.

So I hit the treble 20, and change my focus to 16’s. Ok, steady…. Damn I hit treble 8. I am gutted. I hadn’t managed a three dart checkout before this. Looking dejected at the board, I suddenly work out I have one dart at tops. Brilliant!!! Ok, go through the routine, take aim. BOOM!! Middle of the double, and I am elated.

To be honest, this nearly felt better than a maximum, with three darts needed in separate beds. Ok so technically, I missed the second dart, just don’t take this away from me. My game is definitely developing, which is keeping my motivational levels on a high.

Darts in Ireland 

It is a very busy time in the world of darts, with the Champions league underway, as well as the World Grand Prix taking place in the Citywest Hotel, Dublin next week. The tournament will take place about 20 minutes away from where I live, and never fails to attract the locals.

During the 2010 tournament, I was afforded the chance to interview every first round winner for local journalism duties. Taylor, Lewis, Barney, Painter, and eventual winner James Wade all spoke to me about their love for Ireland, this tournament and the manner in which they are welcomed year on year. Good luck to everyone next week, although I can’t see past Mr. Taylor reclaiming this one.

I am thinking about including Irish Darts news in the blog, so if there is anyone out there reading this that would like to submit any stories from your local club or would even invite me out to their club for a few legs, you can get me on twitter: @A_Farrelly  or email: throwlikeaprodarts@gmail.com   

I’ll keep you updated on my date with Barney preparations, and as ever if you have any tips or comments you have my contact details. Just be nice J

Cheers

A

Unbelievable Tekkers

So in my first blog I had set out a number of objectives for myself in terms of beginning my road to becoming a professional thrower. With thanks to some of the comments coming from twitter (@A_Farrelly) along with some revelations of my own, it wasn’t long before I realised these objectives needed a harsh realignment.

It’s been a week since my first entry, and I hope to continue the blog on a weekly basis. So what has happened since then? Well let’s start with the positives. I have practised every night. The plan was to stand in front of that board religiously for at least two hours an evening however, something I struggled with. It wasn’t that the will wasn’t there, but actually finding the time to do this was difficult.

I did manage to uncover a pattern during my practicing, something which has started to encourage me. The first 15 minutes is awful, I am doing well to hit 3x single 20’s. But as I break through that period, my three dart average starts to rise as the darts begin to group more regularly. 20 minutes of solid practice that will include maybe two or three 140’s and some 100’s, and just maybe a three dart check out will have me feeling ready to pack for the World Grand Prix coming up in Dublin in a couple of weeks.

The confidence, as usual, starts to disappear however as my arm begins to feel the strain of throwing. With my concentration beginning to whittle away, I am suddenly back at struggling to hit single numbers. And then... I do what I know I shouldn’t do, walk away from the board in absolute frustration.

Technique

We get used to seeing the pro’s walking up to the oche time after time and blasting in regular 100’s and 140’s. How do they achieve such consistency? Is this something they just decide on or is it something they develop over the years? Do they change it every so often just to keep things fresh or is this their darting bible? Is it the difference between a social player and a top pro?

I feel this is where I need to focus on over the coming weeks. Anyone can set themselves and blast three fairly straight darts in or around the lipstick. But when you then turn around and try to do it again, before shooting a measly 45 musters that feeling of annoyance in the belly akin to stubbing your toe or banging your head off the press door. Yes it’s painful, but I'm more frustrated that I let myself do it!

So why does it happen? There are a number of factors, although the common denominator appears to be the pre-throw ritual. Whether it’s Taylor or Anderson, Whitlock or Lewis, they all go through a strict routine. They don’t just walk up and throw. Whether it’s setting their feet in a certain way, or moving the dart slowly across the face before releasing, this is the routine that works for an individual player.

Someone who I have grown to admire is Andy Hamilton, in terms of his pre-throw ritual that he sticks to rigorously. This takes patience. He proves it’s not as simple as just walking up and throwing an arrow at a board. For Hamilton, there are a number of movements before he even thinks about releasing.

Practice, Practice, Practice

That is where my focus will be over the next few weeks. I need to get comfortable on the oche, and with my throw. My determination is still there and actually growing at speed. It’s about making the time to practice that is important now, and working through the darts that sail miles from the target.

Some people have been in touch suggesting other games I can play other than 501 all the time, just to change it up a little during the practice. Thanks for that, and if you have any other suggestions, feel free to tweet or comment.

I am also planning on going to the local club in the next couple of weeks. This seems to be an important step having spoken to other players, as there is nothing like competitive games. Practising against players that are better and more experienced than me is bound to bring on my game, so I will let you know how that goes.

Keep the comments and suggestions coming.

Cheers

A

My first 180!!!

For some, it’s scoring a goal or hitting a three pointer. For others, it’s the rush of potting three reds and blacks in a row. But for me, from the age of 12 or 13, it’s been about three little arrows nestling perfectly in the lipstick. That elusive 180!!!

The first one is in and I think ok, what have I just done for that one to go in and how can I duplicate it for the second dart. At this point I have thought way too much about it and my second attempt pulls drastically in to the five or one.

On the rare occasion the second one hits the lipstick; and I suddenly need to compose myself. I have completely lost focus on the board and my left arm (yes I am a lefty) is starting to shake. I have 120, it’s a decent trip to the board so I just go for it. Usually, my Raymond Van Barneveld 22g arrow hits a fat 20.

But when it’s a maximum, when that third dart tickles the previous attempts with delicate precision, well I might as well have sunk a 40 footer for the British Open, or lobbed Nadal to win Wimbledon. My reaction; be smooth, just casually stroll up to the board hanging on the brilliant stand invented for those who have no wall space (or a wife unwilling to give up any wall space) and calmly take the three darts out in one, seamless movement.

Yeah ... Right ... The first time I hit a maximum, all I could do is scream. Aaaaaahhhhhh!!! My wife hastily came to my aid, before realising I was upright and appeared in full health. Lllllllook..... LOOK AT THE BOARD!!! At this stage, I have made sure not to move an inch in case she thought I had put the darts in the board illegally.

“Oh... erm ...  well done” she says as if I had just hung a picture on a wall or taken the bins out. Hang on; do you know what I have done? Do you realise I, me, your exceptionally talented husband has done what few have done before me in throwing three perfect darts. She doesn’t however get my enthusiasm.

I was elated, over the moon and physically shaking in my boots. ‘I have to be a professional’ I told myself. ‘What a shame to let this talent go to waste’ I said as I paraded towards the board to take back my darts. I stepped back up to the oche once again, knowing if Taylor himself was in my box room right now he wouldn’t stand a chance.

So after my glorious 180, I was bound to follow it up with another one, or a tonne forty, or at least 100 right? Wrong. 11. Yes, a measly 11. I was crushed, devastated. There would be no shouting for my wife on this occasion, I was too embarrassed. But I took something from that night, as my arm began to hurt as I searched in vain for what I had done first time around.

What I learned from those two minutes of sheer perfection was simple, I want to be a darts player. I want to join the circuit. I want to take on the best in the world. I want to beat the best in the world. I want John McDonnell to introduce me to the Ally Pally to the background music of ‘I’ll tell my ma’ from Shamrock. For anyone curious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIvYdtHCuTI

And now I am here. I have never played a competitive game of darts. Never been a member of a club. And this, for me is my first step in becoming a professional thrower. Over the next few weeks, months and years, my plans are exceptionally unrealistic but they are what they are.

I sporadically make the time to practice at home, but from now on I am going to practice for two hours each evening. It’s not enough but it’s a start. The plan is to play 501, limited to 15 darts. Anymore and I count that leg as a loss. I am also going to join my local darts club and start building some competition experience. I need to start talking to other players; pick up some hints and tips.

Why blog about it? Well, when I decided to start this journey, I googled how to become a professional darts player. An article came up about Justin Irwin, a man who left his job to become a pro thrower (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-510504/The-charity-boss-quit--darts-champion.html). Whilst this isn’t a model I am taking too much advice from, it did encourage me to start slowly, put the practice hours in and communicate my experience to anyone vaguely interested.

And so my board is set up and I am ready to go. The darts are sharp and the calculator at the ready. If anyone has any tips or comments, feel free. Be nice though J

Cheers

A