A New Year, with New Goals!

January always spells a new era, a fresh outlook, and a positive perspective. And for me, that has been true, well kind of…

Ok, so I started out on this journey in 2011 with the hope of becoming a professional darts player. Can this still happen…? I think so. Will it be anytime soon…? God no! I knew what I was getting myself in to, a life of tireless practising, and the bitter frustration of a poor visit to the oche coupled with the elation when the third dart flicks in to the double, when the previous two had been a mile away.

A modest assessment would indicate an improvement in my game. It took me a while to build my confidence, and it has been desperately dashed in the tournaments I have played over the Christmas period, even though there are more positives than negatives.

What have I learned about my game?

One of my goals last year was to win four games in a row against the lads in the club. I have done that and more in the last month or so, I think I stretched one run out to seven games on the trot before I fell foul to some double trouble. This was a brilliant feeling, just to hit the double so often tells you you’re doing something right.

I am thinking way too much about this game, to the extent where I am still struggling to find a routine and grip that I am 100% comfortable with. I have commitment issues. When I am on the board at home, I will regularly change something about my throw, possibly three or four times in one practice session.

How can I expect to become consistent in scoring, if my throw is anything but consistent?

Tournament Summary

I have played in two singles tournaments. The first tournament was an experience, it was played in a round robin style for the opening three games, two of which I won. I got knocked out in a playoff for a semi-final spot, and in that leg my scoring had fallen to a 55/60 avg.

The second tournament was different. A knockout out system from the start, I was expecting a little more from myself. That was until the draw was made. I was given little hope by my peers when they heard my opponent; someone well recognised in the county as a formidable player.

I wasn’t nervous, to be honest I was just hoping to knick the opening leg and see what happened from there. The first to three legs, I started the first with 60, 100, 100. Then I started to feel a little shake in my throwing arm, and although I got to a double first I just couldn’t compose myself.

I had three darts at a double in the second leg, and when I missed the frustration boiled over before my opponent comfortably took the third, and winning leg.

What’s in store for 2012?

I am practising a lot, although I know if I want to take my game to another level, I need to increase my hours on the board considerably. The singles tournaments are coming thick and fast, and I would like to be playing one, if not two a month.

I have until September to make it on to the team for next season’s league games. This is a must for me, playing week in week out against different players and more pressure on the throw is vital for my game to improve.

                                                                  My new set up.

PS. Thanks to all the darts folk on Twitter (@A_Farrelly), Facebook and to everyone who have emailed me (throwlikeaprodarts@gmail.com) over the last few weeks sending on your advice and tips, as always they are welcomed and appreciated. J

Cheers,

A

Patience, you are a virtue...

I feel like I have been talking about playing against Barney for way too long now, and in a matter of days I finally take to the stage against the one and only. I have spoken before about what I want from this encounter. To win would be nice, very nice. But that’s not the objective. For this game, this is just a stepping stone on my path to becoming a pro. Hopefully it will give me a little taster of what professional darts is all about.

So how have I been preparing?

Sports Editor of the Kildare Nationalist newspaper, Brendan Coffey, came down to the club last Friday to play a few legs. On a usual club night, it’s a winner stays on format for the night. And as I am not too used to winning, I tend to be up and off the board fairly soon. Last Friday night however, the club opened up their league campaign with an away trip, so I took full advantage by claiming the board.

I knew it would just be the two of us throwing, and from what Brendan had told me, he plays a little, but not a lot. So first things first; emotionally prepare for the game. I was energised, a little tired after a long week in work but I felt confident I could win. We also had a photographer, Paul Mulreid (http://www.flickr.com/people/paulmulreid/) down to take a couple of snaps for a preview of the Barney match.

                                                   Paul Mulreid Photography 089-4186574

The Opening Exchanges

So we both shared a few at the board before setting off on 501 flying start. My confidence was high, and I began at a canter. The pre-throw routine was paying early dividends;

1)      Step up to the board whilst aligning my throwing shoulder at the 20. Check

2)      Raise the left arm to fully extend and lock to the elbow. Check

3)      Draw back my arm from the elbow only, before releasing with a straight

follow through. Check

The only concern I had was my opponent was reaching the 100’s quicker than me, although I did tend to pull out a decent score when it mattered. My double’s were impressive, and found myself 6-2 up in legs.

C.O.N.C.E.N.T.R.A.T.E

I would be lying if I didn’t think I was coasting to my first win in such a long format, and my opponent was dead and buried. This is what cost me dearly. I quickly lost my rhythm, the pre-throw routine was thrown out the window and self-belief had suddenly turned to cockiness. I couldn’t find a treble in at least three legs in a row, and I found myself 8-6 behind, losing six in succession.

I was fuming. Everything was going wrong, and on two occasions I flung my third dart at the board out of utter frustration. Then a thought came into my head; get away from the board. Have a cigarette; get a drink, ANYTHING to take a break this despicable run of form.

                                                                   Paul Mulreid Photography 089-4186574

Treble 16... And I meant it!

The break seemed to work; I had a little chat with myself and re-focused on the final few legs. I needed to bring my throw back to basics, and find my routine once more. Ok so I managed to bring the game back to 9-9. This is a scenario I have never experienced before. We have been throwing for over two hours at this stage, and the arm is getting sore.   

We are both down to under a tonne, and I am left with 68. I talk myself through the process; visualise the dart nestling in the treble 16, complete my pre-throw routine and succeed. The first dart is straight in the treble, leaving double 10. Of course I don’t make things easy for myself, and nearly block the bed with my first shot.

Big deep breath... Yes! My final dart rests in the double 10, and I win the match 10-9. This was gruelling, long and a real test ahead of my next night in the club. I learned alot about my emotional strength during this match. I got too confident and lost myself. But I managed to refocus and prevail in the end.

I am going to add a few entries this week in the build up and review of my game against Barney, so keep checking for updates. As always, thanks for reading, and to those offering support it is always appreciated. Big few days coming up...

Cheers,

A