Darts: Conquering Distractions

One of the biggest problems I see with players who shoot most of their darts in a one-board tavern or at home is the inability to focus at tournaments when there is so much going on around them. The problem begins for them when tournament officials set the boards up side-by-side, about three feet apart (this distance will vary according to the space available for the tournament area), resembling a shooting gallery. When these players are at the line without shooters on either side of them, theyre fine. But, as soon as someone steps into their field of peripheral vision, their round begins to fall apart.

Darts players should remember, first and foremost, this is not bowling. Whatever courtesies are applied in the bowling alley when people are preparing to roll in the next lane are, or should be, nonexistent in darts. The reason: If each of a thousand shooters in the bigger darts tournaments were to do this, day tournaments would last a week. Learn to shoot with other players next to you, especially those to the left if youre a right handed player, and vice-versa for lefties.

Overcoming distractions at the line like this are one of the bigger detriments to shooting alone at home or in a one-board tavern. You can work out the intricacies of many things during these private practice sessions, but you cant add the unexpected distractions you must make yourself learn to ignore, like annoying music and foot traffic near the playing area. Make it a point to play in all types of environments, especially if there is one that distracts you the most.