Welcome to Shanghai

I am starting to think Sky Sports have it in for me. The temptation of daily darting delight on TV is certainly distracting my own practice, although it has been another positive week.

If I am completely honest, my home practise hours have started to dwindle. It is proving very difficult to match practice with game play scenarios, although I have started to bulk up on planned actions within my practise sessions, mainly thanks to the help of the Darts Performance Centre (www.dartsperformancecentre.com)

Terrific Tuesday

My Tuesday night in the club was brilliant this week. I made it down at 9.30pm and was quickly thrown in to action with a couple of single’s games, which I lost miserably. Without laying blame too sternly on one cause, I hadn’t warmed up one bit.

We soon swapped to doubles, and in a similar fashion to a week previous, my partner and I weren’t too long about upsetting the odds once again. We got off to a flier with some steady shooting, a few 140’s between us as well as finishing a number of legs with a decent double percentage.

Wait, it’s wrong to go for the 180???

Personally, I was throwing some steady 60’s, but still very capable of a 45, 26 and even a 7 which really annoyed me. Last week, I mentioned one of my goals was to score the elusive 180 in a game play scenario. But when gifted with the chance, it turned out I went for the wrong choice.

Left with 233, the first two had nestled in the 60. Without even thinking, I wound up for the third before my partner said to swap down to 19’s. I stopped myself, and suddenly had a conundrum Geoff Stelling would be proud of. Hit the 180 or set my partner up….

The delay in itself had put me out of sync, and when I eventually threw for the 180 it dropped low to leave 93 in a leg we eventually would lose. What I have learned? A 180 would be brilliant, but is it more important than giving yourself the best opportunity to win a leg? Of course not.

Wait… I win???

Come the end of the night, I have learned that the players swap from 501 to a game called Shanghai. This basically means everyone has three darts at numbers 1 through 9, and whoever scores the highest combined tally will take the money. If someone hits a ‘Shanghai’ i.e. a dart in the single, double and treble, then they would automatically win the match.

Nine players started out, and I managed to build up an early lead thanks to some treble 3’s and 4’s. With a couple of players ‘falling’, which means missing any odd number with any of their three darts, I ended up winning the game with a score of 137, which I am told is not too shabby. I was elated, so encouraged with an apparent development in my play to the point where I can outscore eight others in this scenario.

1. Singles Tournaments

This is goal number one, and there is actually movement in this one tonight (Friday 18^th November). I am playing my first singles tournament tonight, and my aim is simple. Just get through the first round Aidan!!

2. The elusive 180!

Could have happened last week. I am knocking on the door, hope it will come my way in the next couple of weeks.

3. Stay on for four or more games in the club

Managed to stay on for a couple last week in doubles, would like to transfer this to singles matches now!

Average is still hanging around the 55/60 mark this week. Plenty of improvement in other areas this week, so overall I am thrilled. A huge thanks to everyone who continues to offer their support and advice, as always it’s hugely appreciated. You can find me on Twitter (@A_Farrelly) or email: throwlikeaprodarts@gmail.com

Cheers

A

The Double is no Friend of Mine

This week was interesting on a number of levels. As the dust began to settle as we waved goodbye to Mr. Barneveld, it was time to get back to work, taking the positives from such an epic experience and putting those to use in the bread and butter of club darts.

I didn’t lift a dart on Sunday. Was this a good decision? I am not too sure. I was tired on Sunday, and the way I felt, if I went throwing with a lacklustre attitude, chances are I would end up getting frustrated and it could do more harm than good. So it was Monday night before I stepped up to the oche, and practice went well.

Tuesday is my night in the club, and genuinely I considered this more important than a one leg encounter with the Dutchman. I needed to refocus again, and prove to myself I can continue to develop without such a milestone to look forward to. I was a little late to the session, which meant I was thrown straight in to a leg which almost brought me to tears with such shoddy darts being thrown on my behalf.

Two out of Three Aint Bad!

Never take experience from a man who takes his name from a dinner dish! This post has two main pillars; one of extreme frustration followed by one a little more encouraging. Here is the frustrating one…

Once I warmed up the hands, I had started to find my groove against some of the best players in the club. We were playing doubles, and to say my partner and I were underdogs against any other pairing would be a whopping understatement.

Between the two of us, we were managing to stick with our opponents, and in our second leg, we were left with 156. Before I stepped up to the oche, I had a little word with myself; ‘Aidan, you are going to take this out!’ Simple right? I followed my pre-throw routine perfectly, and what do you know the first dart nestles in the treble 20.

Ok, now to add a second. Easy peasy!!! I am conscious now that my fellow throwers have fallen silent, their way of offering me their respect. I have had opportunities of a three dart check out before, and have failed to compose myself on the third dart, so I made sure to take my time as I took aim at the Double 18. Then, well the best way I can describe it is my left hand took a life of it’s own and flung the arrow an inch wide of the mark.

Three Dart Checkout, Take Two

So once I got over this, I had another attempt minutes later to redeem myself somewhat. With 103 on the board, the plan was to hit Treble 20, Single 3 for Tops. First dart… Treble 1. Ok, 100 left, lets hurt this 60. And I hit it. Now, for the love of god COMPOSE YOURSELF MAN!!!

Its official, I hate wires. I didn’t just bend it on the Double 20. My dart did it’s best to break the wire altogether. I was sick, so annoyed with myself but was soon made up when I turned around to see everyone praising a ‘very good effort’.

Great Expectations

This is an interesting point, and has left me pondering for days now. I used to wonder why the Pro’s would look physically ill if they hit a fat 60 instead of a 100 or 140. In at least four separate legs on Tuesday, I hit three or four 60’s in a row with my three darts. Missing out on the treble, I couldn’t stop myself voicing my frustration. This is surely an encouraging sign?

If you had told me two months ago that I could reach a level of consistency where three darts were reaching the same bed, I would have literally snapped your hand off. Now, I have come to expect more. I want that treble each time I throw, and when the darts land high or low of the bed, I am disappointed.

Switch the Goalposts

Now my date with Barney has passed, it’s time to set some new, realistic goals for the coming months. I don’t want to become stagnant in my throw, and feel it is vital to work towards something in order to develop.

1. Singles Tournaments

I need to get out and play some tournaments. Even if I am knocked out in the first round every time, the benefits of preparing both mentally and physically would be extremely positive.

2. The elusive 180!

I still haven’t managed to hit a maximum in the club yet. I have scored some 140’s, but am becoming desperate to hit a 180 in a real game scenario.

3. Stay on for four or more games in the club

As it is winner stays on in the local club, the most I have won in a row is two games. I want to double that, as it will show my concentration skills are improving for longer games in tournament scenarios.

Two weeks ago, I had a quick look at my three dart average during a practice session at home. I marked it at 55, and when I did the same a couple of days ago, it had risen to a little above 60 over 15 legs. As always, any improvement is always welcomed.

Thanks for reading, and as always your comments and advice is appreciated. You can find me on twitter: @A_Farrelly or email: throwlikeaprodarts@gmail.com

Cheers

A

The night Barney came to town

He may have won this one, but my date with Barney lived up to every expectation. I hit no maximums, and had no shots at a double, yet I still couldn’t be happier with how it went. Here’s how the last few days have unfolded.

Please welcome to the stage...

The sound engineer strikes the play button on Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger; two hundred and fifty people jump from their chairs and give a justified standing ovation to the towering figure of one Mr. Raymond Van Barneveld. The one and only was here. The battle lines were drawn, his arrows sharpened and sweatbands at the ready. Oh it was on.

Before now, the nerves were fine, just fine. Having spent the previous Friday with Paul and Andy from the Darts Performance Centre at the Belfast Darts Academy (A full blog will follow on this session), I was happy with my throw. Well, when I say happy...

‘Don’t be nervous, just go and enjoy it!’

In the final days leading up to the game, the feeling of worry was certainly overshadowing my level of excitement about taking to the stage. With my family and friends all coming to cheer me on, the stakes were fairly high. They were all aware of my goal, and this was the first time I was throwing in front of them.

Everyone kept saying ‘Just enjoy it’, ‘It will be an experience of a life time’; ‘don’t let the nerves get to you’. Of course, all sound advice for anyone who doesn’t throw. But that little voice in my head piped up with the only piece of advice I could hear:

“You’re going to throw 26, EVERY TIME YOU VISIT THE BOARD”.

Paul Mulreid Photography 089-4186574

Time to go to Work

I have said in previous posts that this game wasn’t about beating Barney, but just to stick with him in the leg and not make a show of myself. I want to become a pro, so one day I want a date with the likes of this Dutch man on a regular basis. So I went down to the club two hours early to warm up, and start focussing on the task in hand.

The nerves started to relax a little when I met up with the rest of the throwers. It was as if we were a little army preparing for the fight of our lives, except a couple of us exchanged a soldier suit for a Wayne Mardle shirt, with another pulling on a Holland soccer jersey in tribute.

With the crowd beginning to fill up, we took to our seats. I couldn’t sit down of course, pacing nervously while tensely gripping my darts in anticipation. As he began to pick his way through the batting order, I was suddenly up next. I hear my name called on the microphone, and as I stride towards the stage, I notice there is a smile on my face, one Ronnie Baxter would be proud of.

                                                    Paul Mulreid Photography 089-4186574

Game On

So I am up on stage, and we are throwing a few at the board. I kept telling myself, just stick to the pre-throw routine. My hands were visibly shaking. I was struggling to focus on the treble. I was just about to ask the man himself for the lend of his sweat band when, we were off:

Me                                                       Barney

            (45)                  456                                                      461                  (40)

            (100)                356                                                      340                  (121)

            (45)                  311                                                      281                  (60)

            (45)                  266                                                      227                  (54)

            (23)                  243                                                      142                  (85)

            (40)                  203                                                      77                    (65)

            (60)                  143                                                      20                    (57)

            (45)                  98                                                        Double 10, 2^nd Dart

                                                   Paul Mulreid Photography 089-4186574

So as you can see, there were no heroic darts in this leg. Apart from my tonne, I scored 4x 45’s which could and should have been at least 60’s, with the 5 coming on the third dart on three visits.

I won’t make excuses, but I will remain positive. If I am honest, the nerves didn’t sink in until I hit the tonne. Now I suddenly felt a pile of pressure. I had gone from being a goalkeeper in a penalty shootout where no one expects you to save it, to being the striker who should convert. Following up this tonne with anything worth talking about proved too difficult as the legend took out his double 10.

Barney signed my score sheet and as I made my way off stage there was a little part of me that felt I could have won that leg. And that is the most encouraging part of this whole experience. Because this proved something, it wasn’t the climax of this journey, but merely the beginning. Thanks for reading, and as always your feedback is always welcomed.

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

What a bunch of ... Darts

“They say talking to yourself is the first sign of madness. In fact, in this game, it is the first sign of genius.”

Last week laid bare my frustration in a severe lack of consistency in my game. But it wasn’t just a lack of consistency in my throw, but also my approach, my stance, and in my whole pre-throw routine.

This was my focus for the week, and in just a few days the difference has been immense. I have spoken about it before, and the manner in which I approach the oche, raise my arm, lock my elbow and release the dart has all become regimented.

It doesn’t work every time, and I am still watching my third darts curl in to the Triple 1. But it’s the basics that count, and I am really encouraged with how my basic game play is improving. Practising at home is still where I throw most, although the more I go down to the club, the more I realise how important feeling the pressure on my throw counts.

Double dilemma

My second night in the club was a polar opposite to my first; it couldn’t have gone any better. My first leg of the night was, if I say so myself, a little remarkable. Bearing in mind 7 days previous, I couldn’t get a decent score on the board, having a dart at a double on a 14 dart leg isn’t too shabby.

To be honest, I barely had the time to take off my coat, never mind warm up but began bunching the darts fairly well. I stepped up to the board with 148 remaining. Ok Aidan, let’s start visualising the first treble going in. And it did. It made room in the bed for a second within seconds. If my maths are right, I have left Double 14.

Silence has fallen, the other players giving me the respect as I throw. Ok, see it going in. Yeah right. I lost my nerve and tickled the no. 9. But that’s not what matters. I had the dart at the double. And over the next few legs, I had more darts at more doubles, and while I missed some, I took out others.

I won 5 or 6 legs in total, although I could have scalped a couple more. In one, both of us must have had at least 18 shots each to take out our respective double, with my competitor finally sticking it in Double 2.

Where’s your head at?

I walked away that night very happy with my game. A few 100’s, countless 85’s, and more 60’s really had me encouraged with the week ahead. Balancing work, family and various other pieces of life’s jigsaw are certainly doing their best to challenge my time spent on the oche but the nerves are gone.

My head is in the right place. Before, if I went a couple of days without throwing I would be afraid I’d have forgotten my individual routine. Now, I walk to the board confident of a consistent throw. Before I was shocked if I hit a tonne, now I am shocked if I hit a 45.

They say talking to yourself is the first sign of madness. In fact, in this game, it is the first sign of genius. Instead of allowing the inner demons tell me I am going to miss that Double Top, I tell myself this dart is heading straight for the red bit. Having thrown 1 and 5 with my first two darts, having the ability to stick the third in the Treble 20 is imperative, and can only be done with concentration, focus and self-belief.

Barney is so close I can nearly smell him!

Just under two weeks left until I take to the oche against one of the greats. I have been looking at some of the preparation tips offered by http://www.dartsperformancecentre.com/ and hopefully they will come in to great use as the nerves heighten closer to the date. I have been told the format will be a 701 flying start. In other words, I don’t stand a chance J

I cannot wait. We have picked our entrance music, the cameraman is booked and final preparations are in place to host over 200 people cheering the Dutchman on. Or maybe they will cheer us on?

Would appreciate any comments you might have in the run up to this matchup, and as always your feedback on this week’s blog is greatly appreciated.

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