Match nerves

[No_score]

Hi all. I'm pretty new to the game, and have recently started playing in a local league. I've been practicing a lot, and scoring pretty well (for a beginner), but come match night and it all goes to pot, shaking and all sorts going on. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to calm down whilst playing. Any help would be really appreciated, thanks in advance

[Spartan]

Couple pints worked for me Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images. but it gets easier the more you throw in front of people. You learn to block out your surroundings

[ReggaeDarts]

As Spartan says... The more you play in a competitive situation your Arm action will get calmer..

The Crux I've found is as soon as your under pressure It's the Arms that tense up, your hand is tense around the Dart, your Fore-arm is tense, you'll tense and use your Tricep when throwing and end up Pulling and Snatching your Darts, the Follow through goes out the Window..

See if you can find some one to practice with, so then the practice has pressure applied too... or if you can't find any one, see if you can get on the Webcam Darts.. The lads on here will be more than Happy to Play with you.

[brenthahn]

When I first started doing it, I realized it was like "away games" in school sports -- the light's different, the sound's different, even the air's different, and everything's outside of your comfort zone. Over time it's gotten easier, but it has also helped to deliberately go out on my own to unfamiliar darts bars and throw myself in. Besides learning to chill in new surroundings, I've met new people and discovered new beer. Doesn't mean I'm winning -- I still suck -- but I'm sure it has helped me suck less.

[REBEL]

Just an opinion but control your breathing, starting before your match and continue throughout.
By controlled breathing (through the nose - out the mouth) you are filling your lungs with oxygen, this will keep you calm and also help with your focus.

Also, never feel rushed by your opponent or the occasion - rushing will lead to mistakes, leading to the feeling of extreme pressure and ultimately another loss as your mind and body give up.

Been so bad in the past I have even felt like throwing in the towel mid game!


I personally found that once I got to know the other fella's in the league from playing the other teams, and beat a few of them, it becomes a lot easier - your not trying to impress anyone, and also an 'off night' will be brushed over by comments like 'I know you can play better than that' rather than you walking away after a disappointing game with the negative thoughts that everyone in the room thinks you are crap Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.


It does get better, but I will sympathize as its not a pleasant feeling when the nerves hit and you feel like an idiot as you suddenly cant hit a bears arse with a banjo - I guess thats what alcohol is for Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.


All the best.

[gumbo2176]

I've always been a big proponent of not playing in the same environment all the time. Even though I have my man cave with 2 boards set up in it and a fridge full of cold beer, I'll often head out to a local pub to toss the darts for a change of venue. Like brenthahn mentions, different lighting, backboards, music, noise levels, etc. can get into some folks heads.

The ceiling in my man cave is only 7 ft. 4 in. high as it is a basement style area and the bar our team plays out of has 16 ft. ceilings. It feels like a cavern compared to my home set-up, and being a bar, the noise level is substantially louder, definitely smokier and smells like a bar should smell.

Like other's have mentioned, it's just nerves and the more you play, the better it gets. Just don't put so much pressure on yourself to win as that can have a negative effect. Just go out and enjoy yourself and know whether you win or lose, it will not have any great impact on the world as we know it.

[Milkysunshine]

When starting out in a league, a win or a loss doesn't matter too much. You'll still be there next week to throw and try again. Don't expect much, just use the time to get used the whole experience.

[*Saber*]

Join flight school.

[Beacon_Darts]

+1 for flight school.

What level league are you playing?

Just take some deep breaths and throw darts. Enjoy the experience and learn from your losses, and your wins.

[Dorian]

Couple pints worked for me Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images. but it gets easier the more you throw in front of people. You learn to block out your surroundings

Spot on comment about the more you play in front of people and eventually blocking them out etc +1
In the meantime take deep breaths and don't take yourself or the game too seriously.

Cheers

[Dorian]

Just an opinion but control your breathing, starting before your match and continue throughout.
By controlled breathing (through the nose - out the mouth) you are filling your lungs with oxygen, this will keep you calm and also help with your focus.

Also, never feel rushed by your opponent or the occasion - rushing will lead to mistakes, leading to the feeling of extreme pressure and ultimately another loss as your mind and body give up.

Been so bad in the past I have even felt like throwing in the towel mid game!


I personally found that once I got to know the other fella's in the league from playing the other teams, and beat a few of them, it becomes a lot easier - your not trying to impress anyone, and also an 'off night' will be brushed over by comments like 'I know you can play better than that' rather than you walking away after a disappointing game with the negative thoughts that everyone in the room thinks you are crap Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.


It does get better, but I will sympathize as its not a pleasant feeling when the nerves hit and you feel like an idiot as you suddenly cant hit a bears arse with a banjo - I guess thats what alcohol is for Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.


All the best.

Excellent post great advice well done I couldn't agree more with what you've written + 1

[guest2]

Simply 'HAVE FUN WHILE PLAYING!'

Don't be bothered by what your team and other people around is expecting from you.

ENJOY!!!

Like what the Japanese soft tip darters do in Dartslive - they smile while throwing.

Hey guys - try lifting those cheeks through a smile as you throw as this enhances blood circulation in your face.

This is tension relief.

[REBEL]

Just an opinion but control your breathing, starting before your match and continue throughout.
By controlled breathing (through the nose - out the mouth) you are filling your lungs with oxygen, this will keep you calm and also help with your focus.

Also, never feel rushed by your opponent or the occasion - rushing will lead to mistakes, leading to the feeling of extreme pressure and ultimately another loss as your mind and body give up.

Been so bad in the past I have even felt like throwing in the towel mid game!


I personally found that once I got to know the other fella's in the league from playing the other teams, and beat a few of them, it becomes a lot easier - your not trying to impress anyone, and also an 'off night' will be brushed over by comments like 'I know you can play better than that' rather than you walking away after a disappointing game with the negative thoughts that everyone in the room thinks you are crap Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.


It does get better, but I will sympathize as its not a pleasant feeling when the nerves hit and you feel like an idiot as you suddenly cant hit a bears arse with a banjo - I guess thats what alcohol is for Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.


All the best.

Excellent post great advice well done I couldn't agree more with what you've written + 1

Thanks v.much Dorian :headspin:

[Milkysunshine]

Just got back from league night... after 2 full years, and 3 different leagues, I still get 'nerves'.

I've learned to harness it and shoot my best under the pressure. I love the adrenaline rush... it makes me feel alive. I don't get the shakes, just the increase in heart rate and the feeling that 'if I miss... I'll lose'.

(I went 3-0 btw)

[Dorian]

Just got back from league night... after 2 full years, and 3 different leagues, I still get 'nerves'.

I've learned to harness it and shoot my best under the pressure. I love the adrenaline rush... it makes me feel alive. I don't get the shakes, just the increase in heart rate and the feeling that 'if I miss... I'll lose'.

(I went 3-0 btw)

Been there many times ....its a case of turning nervous tension into nervous excitement. Whether its darts or other thing...I had the same feeling before giving a speech or presentation to a few hundred people.
When you get going its fine.