The Perfect Darting Storm

Since my last post, a lot has changed. I have changed darts, stems, flights, pre-throw routine, grip of the darts, release point of the dart, stance on the oche. In other words... EVERYTHING. This was a makeover Gok Wan himself would have been proud of.

And only now can I truly understand why. See, I have spent the last three weeks really struggling with this game, and the complexity of it all. I lost all trust in my throw, I had no faith in myself; and all that was going through my mind was that if I change this, it might make my darts perfect.

Yes - I changed everything about my throw for one reason... to find that perfect dart. I have been so caught up in reaching a certain standard of throwing, that I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a leg of darts. I was getting frustrated when I missed a fat 20, and the only thing that I could think was to change in order for this not to happen again.

Time

If this journey is to be a true success, there are a couple of limitations that I need to come to terms with now if my stress levels are to be managed. No one just suddenly becomes a brilliant darts thrower, did they?

Over the last few days, I have really peeled back the layers and began to refocus. Changing everything did bring about some positives; I am back to the dart I started out with; it is still the shape and weight of the barrel that proves more fruitful than any others. And more importantly, it feels right. The commitment I need to make now is to stick with this dart for the next 6 months. REGARDLESS if I don’t hit one treble in that time.

Standards

I am speaking as if my darts are terrible at the minute, and in truth they aren’t. I have taken part in a couple of tournaments, and won some matches. The major flaw is simple; when I am throwing badly, I immediately change my throw. I have spoken before about the importance of mental strength in this game, and by god have I learned this the hard way lately.

The Darts Performance Centre has once again been crucially important in this process. Having someone to talk to about my struggles was imperative, as Paul was able to bring me back down to earth. As far as they are concerned, there are certain parts of a throw that are vital, and need to stay consistent if you are to improve.

So What Now?

I have made some realisations recently, and just incorporating these in to my approach are already helping my game.

1.      Pressure: It’s just for tyres. I have to take the pressure off my throw; I won’t win every leg, I won’t score 100 or even 60 every throw. And for now, that’s OK!

2.      Trust the Process: I have now found a throw that is working. I have scored many 140’s in my last couple of training sessions, and taken out some shots like 106, 111 and 124, so the routine I have now is working. It’s all about the fine tuning, so when I throw 26, 45 or even the odd 7, that’s OK! I just need to remind myself that this throw has worked before, and will work again.

3.      Give Every Dart A Chance: My third dart has more often than not landed where I want it, even if my first and second stray from the target. The ability to stay positive, even if the first dart lands in the 5 is vital from now on.

So that is where I am at right now. Everyone that I have been talking to lately tells me these mental slumps happen, and to embrace it rather than hide from it. I am the other side of it now, and ready to start winning some matches again.

Can’t wait for the World’s to start, but they won’t distract me from my own practice! Thanks for reading, and as always feel free to get in touch with your comments / advice.

Cheers,

A

Oh consistency, where art thou?

Oh the frustration of it all!

The rollercoaster is truly in gear this week. At times I am throwing brilliant, to the point where I have thrown two 180’s this week. But I am still more often than not saying hello to the 1, or treble 1 on each visit. I’ll cast you back….

Saturday 8^th October

I am on the edge of my couch, watching the masterful Brendan Dolan manage his way past James Wade in the Semi-final of the World Grand Prix, the beautiful 9 darter and all. When it’s over, I head out to the board and start flinging a few. 15 minutes later and hitting a double is just too easy, and the first of this week’s maximum comes before I let a scream which does it’s best to wake the kids.

I was in the zone, very focussed, my pre-throw routine was solid and my mental game was good, as in my self confidence was quite high. I knew the dart was going where I intended, and what a feeling that is.

Tuesday 11^th October

And here it is, my first night throwing with the local club. I had talked enough about going for the last few weeks and it was time to just get out there. Driving down in the car, I was confident that my game was at a standard where I could at least compete with my fellow throwers.

Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you; Self-doubt! It took all of one visit to the board for my darting world to collapse around me. But how can it be so fickle, I hear you ask? As one thrower said to me as I visibly oozed disbelief; “There is a huge difference between practicing darts, and playing darts.”

The night really opened my eyes; I am miles away from competing at this level never mind a professional circuit. I managed to hit a couple of trebles, one double in 10 attempts, and in general there was just no consistency in my game.

My hands were dripping with sweat, my routine was left at home and I was all too worried about the people watching me throw rather than focus on throwing the dart. But I am back next week, so I will be eager to see if I have overcome those original nerves to do myself justice.

I managed to catch up with Paul from www.dartsperformancecentre.com again, and he gave me some brilliant advice having listened to my feedback, and my practice since has been encouraging. I am learning that mental strength in this game is vitally important. News to me...

End on a high

Last night, I did manage another 180, partnered by a litter of 100’s and 140’s, so on a whole it has been a hugely positive week. The countdown to my date with Barney is truly on now, the sponsorship cards are out and the nerves have started already. Just two weeks left …

Thanks again to everyone who has been in touch offering support, advice etc. It is making this journey a lot more enjoyable. As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated. Be nice J

Cheers

A

My Darts distracted by … Darts

My Darts distracted by … Darts

There are some sports that captivate audiences at specific times of the year, in a way like no other. When Wimbledon is on, tennis courts around the country suddenly find themselves bulging with players. Snooker clubs can’t keep up with the bookings when it’s Crucible time of year.

For me, when any televised darts competition is on, it always tends to bulk up my interest in throwing. As a kid, I would watch the games on TV with great enthusiasm, and either between sets or at the end of a game, I would make a burst for my garage to throw a quick 501 before the coverage resumed.

Yeah right, sure another set on telly would nearly be complete before I check out, or hear a huge shout from Russ Bray that would entice me back to the couch. And this week has been no different, although it is hampering my own practice somewhat. It has however, been a very positive week for the dream, with a number of developments, big and small, moving me along nicely.

Ok, so I need help!

I am still a little shocked at the level of support I have received since starting this journey, whether it is through twitter ( @A_Farrelly ) or email ( throwlikeaprodarts@gmail.com ) . Fans, players and bloggers alike have been quick to offer tips, practice games and any other advice they feel will help my game and it is hugely appreciated.

The most important stepping stone came when Paul Gillings from The Darts Performance Centre (www.dartsperformancecentre.com) got in touch to offer the supports of his team of experts. I must admit, in just a couple of days, the benefits of their expertise in all areas of the game are already bearing fruit on my throw and something I would recommend to players at any level.

Over the weekend, I will be filming my throw for the guys to analyse, before they send back a complete report on their suggestions. This is just one of the many areas of development they focus on, as well as coaching, preparation tips for tournaments, nutrition, a training plan, goal setting and much much more. I look forward to delving deeper in to their library of resources.

Little changes

I can be a little finicky at times, changing small elements of my game every time I throw. Not good practice, I know. But I still feel like I am forming as a player, and want to be open minded about everything that could add to my game. I chose my double this week; well in fact Simon Whitlock actually chose one for me.

As I watched him in the Grand Prix, he was opening with D10. He was willing to sacrifice a higher number for a bed he was comfortable with, and as a lefty D10 seems to work very well for me. I will be aiming for tops first of course, but that is just so if I pull it low, I am left on a number I am comfortable with.

Practice is going very well; there is a structure now which I try to stick to routinely as more often than not it pays off. I start with hitting big 1-20, double 1-20 and treble 1-20. Then I start throwing a few legs of 501, or 301. I will be implementing a lot of Darts Performance Centre’s training programme in to my game as the weeks move along.

In two legs in a row, I managed to take out a 104 and 107 check out which was good, a long with a few 140’s. The magical maximum evaded me this week, but that’s ok. Next week is a landmark week; I am heading out to play in the club. I am itching for some competitive legs. I will keep the expectations low, hope not to embarrass myself and try and knick a few games while I am there.

I haven’t had a fight with the board for a while now, or at least when I do we can work out our differences there and then instead of me blazing off in fury.  That’s always a positive. I hate when we are fighting, just makes things awkward around the house.

Mr. Dolan

I must pay tribute to Brendan Dolan who has already had an emphatic week on the oche in Dublin. It has been a week of shocks so far, and no doubt they will continue as the double start continues to trip up the big boys. I went for Phil Taylor last week, and after his little scare, I still back him to take it down. The crowd was tame on Monday and Tuesday, but as I reassured Lenny Boyle, the Irish would wake up eventually.

I am picking up my sponsorship card for My Date with Barney tonight, so it is definitely happening. 5^th November. As milestones go, if a match against Barney can’t motivate me to practice, nothing ever will.

Cheers

A

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