03/13/02 Getting that Mental Edge

I've written, and will continue to write about the mental edge. Just a few notes. Having the mental edge, I believe, comes from practicing and knowing that you're ready for the match. It doesn't necessarily mean concentrating on "the mental edge" while you're at the line. By practicing and understanding the mental edge while at home, or concentrating on it in the car or when getting ready for the match, it means you've done your homework so to speak. When you've prepared for your matches in advance, your subconscious mind is telling you "I've prepared for this match, I've practiced and I'm ready for this." It doesn't mean standing at the line and saying to yourself "I've got to get the mental edge, I've got to get the mental edge". Again, the preparedness takes place at home or somewhere else but not necessarily at the tournament hall or at league play.

There are things you can do at the line, though, to get ready for your match. The Dart Thrower refers to this in his site at The Dart Thrower. First of all, make sure your energy level is up. Some books recommend not eating at least two hours before a match because then your body is spending its energy digesting your food, rather then helping you concentrate on your game. Make sure your energy is up!

Get rid of the negative thoughts! I know this is easier said then done but it's true. There's no room for putting yourself down, or telling yourself "I'm up against a good shooter there's no way that I can do well". In darts, there is no room for negative thoughts. Get rid of those negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts. Sammy Davis, JR. was reported before each time he went on stage to stare into a mirror and say "You're the best baby, and you're going to put on a really good show". I'm not talking about being arrogant, but rather I'm talking about pumping yourself up with positive self-talk. Replace those negative thoughts with positive ones. "I can do this!" "I can shoot well." "I'm going to shoot a good game." "I've been practicing for this and I'm ready to do my best." Hey, it worked for Sammy Davis Jr. so try it, get rid of those negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts!.

Nervousness - we all get nerves at some point. When I first learned to drive I was nervous. Now I'm not (though at times the other drivers should be). Nervousness is all in the mind (or sometimes in the stomach or weak knees) but, you can control your nervousness. Recently during playoffs, one of my teammates was nervous. We were up already 5 games straight and I told her, "relax...the other team is more nervous then you are". Nervousness is a state of mind and yes, you can control it. Wipe off your sweaty palms and just try to let go of the nervousness. Think positive, think calm, relaxing serene thoughts. Think of pink elephants if it helps. You are only as nervous as you let yourself be. Shake if off and try not to be nervous. You can do it!

The nervousness might also come from not being aware of what's going on in the game. Anticipate what the other shooter is going to do. More importantly, anticipate what you are going to throw at and what you're going to throw at after your first dart, even if misses the intended target. Having a plan will help to make you less nervous!

Concentrate! Forget the smoke, the noise, the music, the people, just concentrate on the board. Pretend it's you and the board for only a moment as you throw your darts.

Visualize! Visualize your next shot, hitting that next shot and what you're going to do next. Visualize winning the game and the calmness that comes from doing well. We all choke at times. It happens because we get caught up in the moment. Visualize winning and hitting your target! You can do this! Good luck, and I'll see you at the line.