Darts: Getting it on Paper

My first ever 120 peg out. You can bet I'm happy with that one! :-D

Well the summer darts team has had it's first team meeting and I think we have a good bunch going on.  We have been coined by our captain as a 'developmental team' and that suits me just fine. Indeed it is perhaps the essence of what this is all about for me, or at least a major element of it. 
I suppose there is the temptation of being on the 'already good' team, but then I would have to ask how serious you are about getting better and maybe even if you might be lackign a little horizon on what you consider 'already good'.  If I am to be even harsher still I might ask if you're up for a game of tackle football (yes the American kind) with a bunch of six year olds?
So yes we have a developmental team, and while the short but intense summer season has yet to unfold, I feel that there is some potential in our group. I think we can look forward to some interesting and hopefully positive updates about the team as the season progresses!

Paper Practice Targets?

a 180 'on paper'.

One thing that our team captain has introduced which I kind of like is paper practice targets that you pin onto your board, so you can see if you have a natural drift one way or other, and that you can date and save as a reference to see how your focus and control is improving over time. 
I dont think this can be used as a primary learning tool, but as a supliment and as a practice game I think it has value. 
I even managed to score a 180 while doing it, which I have pixctured here. I must admit that I almost had second thoughts about posting pictures of these practice sheets since it destroys any possible pretensions of me being a good shot. (but give me time, give me time!)
Question is how much time? In my mind it will take as long as it takes, but how long do you think it will be before a drastic difference can be seen between the practice sheet of then and of today?  Maybe I will never get better than I am now?  Interesting questions for speculation, no doubt!
Is there a darkside or a danger to using these sheets?  I think potentially, espescially if you are the sort to track and compare each individual hit or miss. In that there lies a path that can lead to frustration, and towards getting in your own way. It doesnt have to be that way, just maybe remember to look at it in terms of the overall grouping rather than in terms of scoring, and also to look at it as being your control and focus not only over time, but also specific to that moment.  Mostly it is just fun. Just need to make sure I don't neglect my actual practice!!

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The final results with 360 darts thrown at the paper target. If I keep working those fives and ones will become less frequent methinks! The idea of shooting at a paper target to determine your tendencies was pioneered by legendary American dart champion Conrad Daniels!

Critics..sheesh!

Hmmn, so a friend of mine, and a savvy one at that who I didn't even know had seen this blog referred to it as 'Inane drivel about darts that no one reads' and dang it all, I cant say I can disagree with him.  Well I suppose you read it, because well there you are right now, but how many other than you?  Exactly!
Same goes for the inane drivel part.  I am no writer....
It's a free show kids, so if you don't like it you can leave..  'nuff said!
So why put in the effort? if not so much me as the guy writing, but you there who has to sit through all this?
Well....

Think of the Children!

At the end of the day, we have to remember what this whole thing is about! That of course is the children of the world.  How can reading this blog help the children of the world?  Well, no doubt what ever kid from on high to on low is missing in their life is a set of Dave 'The Abominable Throw Man' Sproull signature darts!!
Now there are two main ways I can think of to get a 'signature dart'.  One is to be actually good at this darn game, and the other is to be some sort of known entity.  Right now, I'm not either, but I'm leaving no stone un-turned either!
So, in the interest of the kids of the world, and world peace, keep reading.  The whole practicing everyday and slowly but surely evolving as a darter, that's everyday stuff...heck..it's today stuff.  A signature dart made by an actual sponsor. Well those are the dreams of tomorrow..aint they?

OK, thanks again for reading (the inane drivel that it is), see you all next time!

Dave 'The Abominable Throw Man' Sproull