Darts: Winning and Losing

My wife's Simon Whitlock's in the foreground looking very snazzy with those Jeff Smith flights. My beloved McCoy Stealths are in the back guarding the beer.

It is a funny thing in darts with winning and losing and it is a lot less about getting the points on the board than it is about getting the job done.  Certainly at the level I play at and I suspect at higher levels as well, if only with less and less leeway.
Over the past few weeks I had been throwing some decent C league numbers, and even at a few points early would feel a strong advantage over my opponent.  Then I'd get a bit pleased with myself, and they would get a little chatty with me and the next thing you know they have caught up.  I'd still be ahead, but feeling the pressure and would throw at my closing number and routinely stick darts on the wrong side of the wire.  Then my opponent would waltz in and put the leg away of ten adding a 'I cant believe I won that' comment. 
From there the frustration level would build as would my anxiety once I got to the out shot. 
As you know from the previous post I was pretty frustrated with that last week, but in talking to my darts mentor George he not only reminded me to be patient with myself he made me realize that I had begun to get pretty haphazard with my practice.  So every day since then I have been doing two sets of drills, one for warm up and the second to build accuracy, and focusing on keeping the time to completion down.
I cant stress enough how important practice is, as the difference between winning and losing and between confidence and frustration is being prepared, not just to play, but to win and knowing you can make the shots.
So playing this past Tuesday I did not shoot super great numbers.  Nothing horrible, but I'm not sure I scored more than one ton all night.  
I still played three games and walked away with three wins.  Two against a player who had up until then had my number.  This is all just C league stuff, so maybe not quite time to sing any songs of legend. Heck, I still have a losing record.  I just know that I am going to stick to my diligent practice, and to have fun at darts, but also to remember to stick to the job at hand as the true enjoyment comes from a win against a great opponent. 
I have never truly been good at anything in my life.  I've been OK at a few things, but never took them to the next level.  How good will I be or can I be at darts?  The truth is, no one knows and any final destination I'd pick for myself would either be selling myself short or reaching beyond my grasp.  I am just happy to work for however number of years it takes to be the best dart player I can be.  
Will that happen?  yes it will.  As long as I can throw and my wife can tolerate my obsessiveness I know I will get there.
It is funny thing in darts with winning and losing. Recently a change came over me, or maybe more of a realization, but players who outright intimidate me now before long I will catch up to and I will pass.  
It will take time, and I will take my lumps along the way, but I'll get there.
Thanks for coming along with me so far on the journey. 


If you are interested in the practice I am doing please check out Flight School .  It is designed by American darts hall of famer and all around decent guy George Silberzahn.  It works and the only cost to you will be putting up with the odd groaner from George.  A pretty good deal I'd say.

Please post if you have any questions!  

See you all next time!!!  

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