Many experienced darts players say that this game is more about concentration and mental effort than practical skills. They consider, and we can only agree, that darts is 90% mental effort and 10% physical effort. These two sides of the game are interlinked and a player needs to develop both their throwing ability and their mental focus to be able to succeed. How do they achieve the first goal? Read on and discover a few basic darts mental training steps that will help you boost your game.
Darts mental training is a stage of your preparation you can’t skip. Whether you’re doing it consciously by deploying certain techniques or it comes naturally, as you practice more often, this evolution step can’t be missed.
Your darts mental training is not as complicated as you might think. You don’t need a specialist to help you out, nor do you need to read books, or practice meditation or any other sort of mental activity that alleviates stress and boosts concentration, although the latter might also prove useful.
For most players, the mental preparation part happens naturally, during the game. However, to get there faster and enjoy the benefits of being more prepared, mentally, for the game of darts, here are a few aspects you should focus on, even if you’re yet a beginner:
- Improve your focus, live in the present moment:
Once you have learned how to grip a dart and your targeting skills are getting better, focus is the key element you should be focusing on. This is the factor that can make or break your game. A lot of players have the same physical skills, but what differentiates champions from the rest is their great ability to concentrate on each throw. This is how they achieve the level of accuracy they need in order to win.
In darts, focus is that mental state in which you manage to find and leverage your optimum balance. Your whole body concentrates on a single goal, hitting the target, and every muscle you move has to be in tune with that goal. Concentration comes with practice and it can be improved by focusing on the present moment, period.
No other thoughts should interfere with your mind when you’re ready to make a throw. Focus on the dart, on how it feels in your hand, on your pose (your body should feel comfortable, not tensed), and on the target. Cast away all the other thoughts or emotions and imagine it’s just you and the dartboard, and no one else around, visualize how your dart will reach the desired spot, and then release it with confidence!
- Act confidently:
Confidence is generally linked to success, no matter what sport or activity we refer to. A confident attitude not only helps you feel better about yourself but, more importantly, it lets others know they are dealing with a strong, determined person.
This is what every player wants when they’re out there competing – to be seen as a valuable opponent, not someone who is scared, insecure, and easy to defeat. Believe in yourself and your ability and desire to win, and the wish will materialize itself. Remember that you should always be your no.1 supporter!
- Think positive:
Many players, especially beginners, are easily disappointed when they don’t manage to score. This is normal, but feeling bad about your skills all the time, feeling guilty, or frustrated are great hurdles in your way to success.
Whenever you have a bad day, try to learn something positive from it so that you can improve your skills in the future, instead of blaming yourself for your defeat. Think about your performance and that of your opponent retrospectively. What have they done better than you? Try to learn from their techniques and attitude, so that next time when you meet them, you can secure a victory.
- Don’t let anger get hold of you:
On a similar note, anger is another negative emotion you should get rid of before you step in front of the toe line. Anger is a destructive feeling and a powerful one. Although it can fuel us with the courage we need to achieve something, it can also tear us apart mentally, and prevent us from focusing on our ultimate goals. When playing darts, you need maximum focus, and concentration has never been on good terms with anger.
Darts mental training will get you far, especially if you start working on your mental preparation in parallel with your physical practice. These two sides go hand in hand and you can only achieve great results by focusing on both.
