Nerves

[TheSoulution]

Hey all. First league night last night and I wanted to see what you guys do to settle your nerves.

I always do mediocre on my league night, eg: I hit a six bull two days ago and 180 in my warmup before I went to the match last night. Then my highest score was a 100 with 11 darts in a row that I couldn't get anywhere near my target.

I know I'm not usually that bad, so any advice on how to relax?
Oh, and I did have to sit for an hour in the middle of the match until I could play again, any tips to stay warmed up?

[Stalker]

Try to add pressure to your practice routines to better simulate match play. Have music on and take time between throws. Start a solo game of 501 and take it out in XX darts hit that number or lower and you win the game other wise you lose the game.

Try using Webcam darts or pro-darter to throw more matches a week.

Is there a spare board you can play on during your break?
Try and throw a few darts as soon as your break is up and before the game starts.
Try and practice with the break. Throw some take a hour break and start throwing again so your body gets used to the long down time and getting back into form quicker.

But more importantly just have fun and the always important aiming fluid :beerdrink:

[gumbo2176]

Good advice from Stalker. Easier to say than do sometimes, but just try to relax when throwing. Play the board, not your opponent in your 01 matches. I clicked your user name and see you are in Florida, so I assume your league has Cricket games during the match. That is the only game you really have to pay attention to what your opponent does as it dictates what you should do.

If your league is like ours, some bars have room for a board that is not used for league play, but open to all to keep loose while waiting to play. If not, some guys will jump up between match segments when the teams are making their lineups for the next round of play. Then there's the 3 sets of darts at the board prior to corking in your match. Not much to loosen up with, but it does help.

[TheSoulution]

Try to add pressure to your practice routines to better simulate match play. Have music on and take time between throws. Start a solo game of 501 and take it out in XX darts hit that number or lower and you win the game other wise you lose the game.

Try using Webcam darts or pro-darter to throw more matches a week.

Is there a spare board you can play on during your break?
Try and throw a few darts as soon as your break is up and before the game starts.
Try and practice with the break. Throw some take a hour break and start throwing again so your body gets used to the long down time and getting back into form quicker.

But more importantly just have fun and the always important aiming fluid :beerdrink:

Okay, I start doing that in my practices.

@gumbo: There were only two boards very close to each other but I think there will be an extra board or two in the other pubs. They wouldn't get mad if I play on those while a match is going?

[gumbo2176]

@gumbo: There were only two boards very close to each other but I think there will be an extra board or two in the other pubs. They wouldn't get mad if I play on those while a match is going?

That really depends on how the teams, or other players feel about it while they are playing their match. There is one bar in our league that has 2 boards that are within about 5 ft. of each other and some players mind while other players don't. If any player says they would rather you not use the board, then it is best to not use it is how it is handled here.

[TheSoulution]

@gumbo: There were only two boards very close to each other but I think there will be an extra board or two in the other pubs. They wouldn't get mad if I play on those while a match is going?

That really depends on how the teams, or other players feel about it while they are playing their match. There is one bar in our league that has 2 boards that are within about 5 ft. of each other and some players mind while other players don't. If any player says they would rather you not use the board, then it is best to not use it is how it is handled here.

Next time I'll try to use a board thats not close to a league play and just stop if they ask me to. I wasn't sure about the etiquette regarding multiple boards. Thanks

[Black Dog]

Playing darts, sometimes you win and sometimes you will lose, you need to care about neither because you want to just do your best at each turn at the Oche. Make believe you are home at the practice board and know one is around.. You hit 180's and 3 bulls in one turn in practice--- you can do the same on league night, but you must take your mind to the practice room.

Don't think at the Oche, that is the best way to start missing.


If you are taking one hell of a beating, don't think about it, keep your mind in the practice room.... If you are beating your opponent to tears, don't let up because as long as your opponent has another trip to the Oche he can all of a sudden come back and beat you.

Have a good shot or two of your favorite rocket fuel and you will be relaxed enough to fight off the nerves.

Remember, nobody wins 100% of the time so do not worry, just do your best and don't think while throwing other than keep count of the score .

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[TheSoulution]

Don't think at the Oche, that is the best way to start missing.

I always forget this one during the serious games haha.

[Black Dog]

Don't think at the Oche, that is the best way to start missing.

I always forget this one during the serious games haha.

Every time I hit the second trip 20 and think here's a 180, and I'll miss every time. Every time I hit a 180 it's because I forgot to think about it before dart 3 left my hand.....LOL! Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[Adams]

...... so any advice on how to relax?

Personally speaking, I’ve never found any way to relax during a league night. The only hope/help I’ve found is intensifying my concentration and narrowing my focus to me, the dart in my hand and the target. Blocking out all the visual and noise distractions, emptying/quieting my mind and blocking out all thoughts about everything that happened before the present moment is critically important to me. The closer I get to achieving that state of mind, concentration and focus, the better the chance I have of shooting the way I want to. Needless to say, that’s easier said than done in an overcrowded, noisy environment with more than a couple noisy drunks who find it necessary to roar in triumph every time they hit a single 20.

[guest2]

A shot of Cazadores with follow up beers will do the trick.

[efallon]

Pure matchplay practice under pressure... Start of the season lost a lot of games missing lots of doubles. Eventually hit a 180 in a game along with some nice finishes at the end of season

[BigE]

I have moments of monumental darts during practice. 18 dart games up to 40, average moves to 53/54 per throw ( after starting at 45)....then hit the league and I cannot hit a fatty to save my life. So, in goes the liquor, and by the time singles rolls around, consistency starts.

I think the only answer is more practice.

[TheSoulution]

Just another example: I played about 4 hours of darts today with my dad and another guy who is probably one of the top 5 in my state. Even in a fun setting I would hit 123 or 135 to stay in the game to play him. I didn't do that every game but those shots that were "miraculous" happened enough times that I could see improvement even if it's not during league play. I got my ass handed to me but I had more fun playing than I have in a month.

[BigE]

I think you can learn from tasting losing.... just don't make it a habit.