Slumps

[Shanesaw]

Ok to start off I don't mean to offend anyone by what I'm about to say or say that there is never something wrong with their game. Just my take on things personally.

I hate the word Slump for starters. I hear it all the time from people, between a little slump to a major slump to a slump they can't get out of.

I get that we all have moments in our game that we feel we are playing under what we expect from ourselves but we also all know that a massive portion of our game is mental. I would go as far as to say that the majority of my game is mental, I know I have the physical ability to do it but the mental aspect holds me back at times.

When I have a dip in form you will never hear me say I'm in a slump. IMO that just gets in a person's head a holds them back even more. They start to change things and drive themselves nuts trying to fix the problem. I like to say its a lack of focus or practice. Unless I am changing physically then my physical game shouldn't change, just the mental part. I have seen graphs and charts for new players and when they should expect to see dips in form (slumps). I have been playing darts again for approx. 1 year & 7 months and the only time my game suffers for a longer period is when I have a lack of focus. I can usually fix this by taking a few days off or just sitting down and figuring out what is going on in my head. I refuse to believe that I'm in a actual slump. Even though my mental game holds me back at times I also believe that it is what's keeping me going and improving my game as I always believe I can improve and get better.

This post might seem strange or just plain stupid but my point is I believe that everyone has the ability to be as good as they want to be (with the exception of physical restraints) but we tend to hold ourselves back mentally because of what we are told is happening or going to happen. Refuse to believe in slumps and chalk it up as a minor lack of focus or off couple of days, I truly believe that with hard work and a good mindset your potential to improve in endless.

Just my opinion Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[Banned]

Great post. I agree 100% as this is something I've always said as well. In the game of darts there are ups and downs. One day I might come out and shoot well below average, the next day I might string together 3 or 4 awesome matches well above my average. As much as I love the nice matches I don't much get excited over them. Same goes for the bad ones. Even if I strung together a couple days of poor matches you'll never hear me mention the word slump. Personally I don't think they exist. Never have. If someone isn't playing much or being lazy they try to pawn it off and say they're slumping. I'm not buying it.

Shooting incredible for a few days and then having a few poor matches is 100% natural in darts. None of us can shoot great all the time. Matter of fact, the better player you are, the bigger the swings will be. I've seen MvG shoot a 121 average and I've also seen him shoot a mid 80's average in a final against Merv King and win. Everyone has there ups and downs.

[guest2]

True in any kind of sport and other performance competitions. I agree with you Shanesaw!

[Milkysunshine]

I have dips in form caused by physical ailments causing a lack of being able to practice. I do believe if you think you are in a slump... you are already thinking negatively. Yes... lately I've thrown some of the worst darts I have in months... But I have had days where I throw well for my standard too. I know the cause of my lackluster performances. #1 is a lack of skill... #2 is a lack of practice. #2 can defeat #1 if I am able to put the time in.

[JayKay]

Regarding these slumps or off days I turn it around and make it a positive thing. Since I agree with it being a mental thing and any negativity is a set back, I tell myself this is a good thing as it means I'm improving and I will come out of it a better player. Whether this is true or not doesn't matter. I remain positive and quickly come out the other side, though I do feel a better player for it. I guess it's a mental thing.

[Dorian]

Ok to start off I don't mean to offend anyone by what I'm about to say or say that there is never something wrong with their game. Just my take on things personally.

I hate the word Slump for starters. I hear it all the time from people, between a little slump to a major slump to a slump they can't get out of.

I get that we all have moments in our game that we feel we are playing under what we expect from ourselves but we also all know that a massive portion of our game is mental. I would go as far as to say that the majority of my game is mental, I know I have the physical ability to do it but the mental aspect holds me back at times.

When I have a dip in form you will never hear me say I'm in a slump. IMO that just gets in a person's head a holds them back even more. They start to change things and drive themselves nuts trying to fix the problem. I like to say its a lack of focus or practice. Unless I am changing physically then my physical game shouldn't change, just the mental part. I have seen graphs and charts for new players and when they should expect to see dips in form (slumps). I have been playing darts again for approx. 1 year & 7 months and the only time my game suffers for a longer period is when I have a lack of focus. I can usually fix this by taking a few days off or just sitting down and figuring out what is going on in my head. I refuse to believe that I'm in a actual slump. Even though my mental game holds me back at times I also believe that it is what's keeping me going and improving my game as I always believe I can improve and get better.

This post might seem strange or just plain stupid but my point is I believe that everyone has the ability to be as good as they want to be (with the exception of physical restraints) but we tend to hold ourselves back mentally because of what we are told is happening or going to happen. Refuse to believe in slumps and chalk it up as a minor lack of focus or off couple of days, I truly believe that with hard work and a good mindset your potential to improve in endless.

Just my opinion Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

MIND over MATTER

Thinking positive thoughts can transform our mood and attitude, it is a very worthwhile exercise that can boost our happiness in everyday life and improve our relationships.

Having a positive mindset builds self esteem and confidence and can take a lot of the tension out of our game. To clear the mind & body, on matchday, here's one approach I've researched but I'd like to hear more:

Deep muscle relaxation

This technique takes around 20 minutes. It stretches different muscles in turn and then relaxes them, to release tension from the body and relax your mind.

Find a warm, quiet place with no distractions. Get completely comfortable, either sitting or lying down. Close your eyes and begin by focusing on your breathing; breathing slowly and deeply.

If you have pain in certain muscles, or if there are muscles that you find it difficult to focus on, spend more time on relaxing other parts.

You may want to play some soothing music to help relaxation. As with all relaxation techniques, deep muscle relaxation will require a bit of practice before you start feeling its benefits.

For each exercise, hold the stretch for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat it a couple of times. It’s useful to keep to the same order as you work through the muscle groups:

Face: push the eyebrows together, as though frowning, then release.
Neck: gently tilt the head forwards, pushing chin down towards chest, then slowly lift again.
Shoulders: pull them up towards the ears (shrug), then relax them down towards the feet.
Chest: breathe slowly and deeply into the diaphragm (below your bottom rib) so that you're using the whole of the lungs. Then breathe slowly out, allowing the belly to deflate as all the air is exhaled.(Don't forget to breathe in again or you'll die LOL)
Arms: stretch the arms away from the body, reach, then relax.
Legs: push the toes away from the body, then pull them towards body, then relax.
Wrists and hands: stretch the wrist by pulling the hand up towards you, and stretch out the fingers and thumbs, then relax.

Spend some time lying quietly after your relaxation with your eyes closed. When you feel ready, stretch and get up slowly.

Now go and have a gentle pratice before the game and then enjoy yourself!

Cheers

[Getagrip]

I think its a good point and do believe that once your mechanical/physical part of the game is at a level where you can throw consistently the same each throw there can only be the mental/emotional side that can cause a dip in form.

If you look at martial artists when they break bricks/boards etc they know they can do it physically but still have to focus their minds before attempting it.

+1

[Spartan]

i use the word slump but haven't had a major dip in form yet.
i like the thought process of out of sight out of mind, mind over matter etc.
if i do hit a wall i look into what's weighing on my mind and make adjustments.
luckily for me im a go with the flow type a guy and have a memory like a sive Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[Hatrick]

To me it's just a play on words! Call it whatever you want to a slump, and drop in form, lack of focus. What it all equates to is that at that time for whatever reason you are not playing at the level that you expect yourself to be at. Now some people put a lot higher expectations on themselves of what they feel the level they should be playing at, and those are the people that no matter when you play them or how good they play they will always say they are in a slump. I am guilty of this myself at times and I do use the word slump or mini slump quite often but I am realistic on what level I think I should be at. Do I think I should be at the same avg. as say CY or Shane? No, Am I capable of beating them on any given night absolutely, they are just more consistent. A slump does not get in my head like it used to when I first started playing. I dont switch stuff up and start changing everything. Shane nailed right on the button saying its mental when I'm in the slump it's not even mostly mental it's all mental for me and as soon as I get my head back in it and focus it can come back.
Many of you have played me here and during our matches sometimes you'll hear me say "come on Lorne you need a 140 or better to get your head back in it" then I'll usually hit and be fine. Some of you that have jumped on me 2-0,3-0 have seen this. Never give up your match until the last dart is stuck.

Lorne

[SirHeroCall]

I agree 100% with the whole mental aspect of the game taking precedent but must admit I am guilty of calling my off games being in a slump especially when it seems to happen through a couple of matches. I used to go out, buy new darts, and all those other materials but now realized that I just have to play through it and get my head straight. Last night was a perfect example we went into the doubles sets during the championship down 8-4. We haven't been down all season while going into the doubles set. The first game I threw in singles had my first two darts bounce completely out of the triple 20. I didn't mentally recover for 2 legs as the bounce outs kept coming but finally took the third one with a somewhat return to form though it took a lot of resetting. It ended up after that we're going into next week with a 14-10 lead but that first batch of legs was a complete mental test. I found that this article also helps. I think I had put it up somewhere on this forum before but can't remember. Sometimes you just have to reset and not give up at all and mentally you can recover.

https://www.dartbase.com/tdt10.htm

[Banned]

My only exception to this "slump" thing was back in 2001 I was going through a divorce, lost an extremely high paying job, and ended up losing our home as a result of the divorce. I tried to continue to play darts but I developed the dreaded Dartitis. It completely ruined my game. It was actually embarrassing to play because I knew I must of looked like an idiot on the line trying to release the 1st dart.

I wouldn't wish dartitis on anyone, but if for some reason your struck with it. Expect a severe slump.

[Cat]

What do you Nutz think about the concept of "slump"?

[*Saber*]

Everyone throws better than other times, its the natural order of darts.

[Jefferz]

Sometimes/often slumps can be in one's head only. You have to work out if it's real(eg you're mechanics have got worse or maybe stayed the same), or if it's imagined due to boredom or temporary loss of confidence.

Captain Obvious, perhaps.

[nixer55]

Thought a bit before posting in this thread, but here we go.  

Having a strange sort of slump.  Throw just doesn't feel right, but the results aren't terrible.  Not great, but not the best either.  Scoring is down, but not off the chart down.  Finishing is quite decent, but not spectacular.

Thinking all the work done to improve my throw and counting is holding my game together under duress, and for that I'm mildly encouraged.  Sometimes it seems all this game will give you is a feeling your current bad days are better than your previous bad days.   

In real competition, you can feel great but have mediocre results.  Conversely, you can feel quite tentative and do just fine.  You are playing other people after all.  So is it a slump?  Really depends on how you look at it.

cheers...