becoming a slow player

[NiteEyez]

hi guys

I feel I have reached an empasse in my game.

I can throw natural and hit 100s in practice but come match day I end up lobbing and silly speed and it has cost me.

I have been looking at de-constructing my game as

1: I still haven't settled on a set of darts
&
2. Once that adrenalin kicks in I end up rushing (reckon its cost me 12 of the 15 league games I've lost over last 2 seasons) .

I have pondered it & wondered whether its now time to change my speed of play & becoming a slow player to become more measured.

Has anyone gone from Van Der Voort to Pipe

[Banned]

I've done the opposite. Dennis Priestley was my favorite player when I started so I tried to copy him. Plus I'm American and (most) everyone throws slow as crap. So it was normal. I played okay but it wasn't until I learned to speed up and play with rhythm that I got really good. But everyone is different. You have to find out what works best for you. But imo playing slow is absolutely rubbish.

And keep in mind that nobody likes a slow player. They're hard to play against and even more terrible to watch on a stream.

[NiteEyez]

nobody likes a slow player. They're hard to play against - EXACTLY!!!

everyone in my league are speed merchants!

[Banned]

When I watch Dersch or Kirchner play darts a lot of times they win because they put the opponent off so bad. They're great players but when you combine skill with putting off the opponent badly you'll win games. Look at the 2015 World Championship. Kirchner had Anderson in a spot of bother. Was it because he was playing really well? Nope. The only reason he did okay was he put Anderson completely off. He averaged 86. I'd rather be known for my skills than how much i can put the opponent off by playing slowwwww

[Milkysunshine]

I've done the opposite. Dennis Priestley was my favorite player when I started so I tried to copy him. Plus I'm American and (most) everyone throws slow as crap. So it was normal. I played okay but it wasn't until I learned to speed up and play with rhythm that I got really good. But everyone is different. You have to find out what works best for you. But imo playing slow is absolutely rubbish.

And keep in mind that nobody likes a slow player. They're hard to play against and even more terrible to watch on a stream.

there's only a few around here that are truly slow... some are flat out blazers.

In my singles league on Tuesday, we finished 9 legs (which I won 5-4) in 32 minutes, and we took 3, 1-2 minute breaks to grab a drink or take a leak. 32 minutes would be a lot for pros, but we probably averaged around 55-60. That would be like the pros at 100 ave playing 15-17 legs in that time.

Plus, we had to enter our own scores. We didn't have a caller/chalker

[Banned]

In my singles league on Tuesday, we finished 9 legs (which I won 5-4) in 32 minutes, and we took 3, 1-2 minute breaks to grab a drink or take a leak. 32 minutes would be a lot for pros, but we probably averaged around 55-60. That would be like the pros at 100 ave playing 15-17 legs in that time.

Plus, we had to enter our own scores. We didn't have a caller/chalker

I wouldn't even bother to upload a best of 9 match that went that long. MvG won a best of 7 yesterday in 6:53.

[pilmat]

Years ago when I had a go at golf, I read a great article about Gary Player. As he was climbing up the ranks, his teachers were trying to slow down his game. He came to the realization that "I talk fast, I walk fast and I think fast. If I play any other way than fast it goes against my natural rhythm and I go off my game" (that's not an exact quote). You need to find your own natural pace and play at it.

... but play as slow as those mentioned above and expect to have a kick up the back side and not asked too often for friendly games. :p

[Black Dog]

Throwing slower simply gives you more time to think about why you're about to miss the next shot, so I would not go there. Work on your stroke and rhythm instead.

[Milkysunshine]

In my singles league on Tuesday, we finished 9 legs (which I won 5-4) in 32 minutes, and we took 3, 1-2 minute breaks to grab a drink or take a leak. 32 minutes would be a lot for pros, but we probably averaged around 55-60. That would be like the pros at 100 ave playing 15-17 legs in that time.

Plus, we had to enter our own scores. We didn't have a caller/chalker

I wouldn't even bother to upload a best of 9 match that went that long. MvG won a best of 7 yesterday in 6:53.

We don't play best of 9, we play all 9. MvG only played 4 legs... and I am clearly 1/2 the darter MvG is.... or less. lol

It still doesn't change my point that around here, there aren't many slow shooters. There are 2 that I can think of that are truly, painfully slow...

[Banned]

We don't play best of 9, we play all 9. MvG only played 4 legs... and I am clearly 1/2 the darter MvG is.... or less. lol

It still doesn't change my point that around here, there aren't many slow shooters. There are 2 that I can think of that are truly, painfully slow...

Oh, that's not too bad. I played a best of 9 the other day and it went to a decider. Took approx 25 minutes or so.

[Adams]

I think picking a set of darts that feel and work well for you and sticking with them is of primary importance. Also... as said above, you need to find what pace works best for you and shoot at that pace. Whether anybody else likes your “speed” (or lack of it) is immaterial.

I’m not what I’d call slow but I’m not a speed demon, either. That being said... If anybody ever gave me a hard time about my shooting speed I’d keep my unshot dart(s) in my hand, stand at the oche and have as long a conversation with the heckler as the heckler would need to get himself set straight.

[Dartbuggy]

I think picking a set of darts that feel and work well for you and sticking with them is of primary importance. Also... as said above, you need to find what pace works best for you and shoot at that pace. Whether anybody else likes your “speed” (or lack of it) is immaterial.

I’m not what I’d call slow but I’m not a speed demon, either. That being said... If anybody ever gave me a hard time about my shooting speed I’d keep my unshot dart(s) in my hand, stand at the oche and have as long a conversation with the heckler as the heckler would need to get himself set straight.

I could understand if someone were slow to the oche, but if you are ready when it is your turn, and you need 12 seconds to throw three darts, I don't call that slow. Another 8 seconds to chalk and pull. If somebody had a problem with that, I'm with Adams. I think I could slow down some more.

[BigE]

Throwing slower simply gives you more time to think about why you're about to miss the next shot, so I would not go there. Work on your stroke and rhythm instead.

Bingo. Slowing your pace is probably going to cost you just as much, if not more performance, than the advantage you'd gain by playing at your normal rhythm.

Slow is a rhythm, people get used to it. But erratic is impossible. If you really want to mess up other guys, don't change your rhythm, change the duration of every throw.

Set up slower, pull darts slower -- three at a time then one at a time. Never set up a rhythm or pattern. Have a drink before your turn. Adjust your darts. Drop a dart. Then throw fast. Make them wait and if they start to watch your antics.... well that's game over for them.... It is a totally D!ckhead thing to do.

[Regulatori]

I used to throw quite quickly but have forced myself to slow down a little. In the past I found that the first dart would often set the mark for the two following shots...I might hit a 5 and keep throwing at the same speed only to find myself hitting another 5 or a 20 off on the far left side. Sometimes just a slight pause is enough to reset myself and bring the 2nd/3rd dart to the target.

I think the main issue is making sure each shot is deliberate. If you can throw fast but able to reset yourself (throw the same every time without loss of form), more power to you. Most of the fast Dutch players are also incredibly quick with their 501 math...MVG especially makes such fast adjustments even if he hits a bad shot. I see a lot of league players mess this up because they're so concerned with speed....they'll shoot wide on a 20 (hit a 1/5) or a 19 (3/7) but continually throw at the same number when a simple switch can at least give them a DB out if they hit another single.

I just forced myself to be more deliberate with every shot...it's also gives my brain an extra second or two to process the correct number to throw at in case I hit the wrong segment.

[JayKay]

Find a rhythm that works for you in practice. If that means slowing down a little then that's fine.

The main thing is to keep that rhythm all the time. So when your playing league or tournament, remain composed and keep your rhythm, don't speed up because of nerves or lack of concentration. Just play with your controlled rhythm whatever pace that may be.