Attitude, Stance and More

Recently I traveled to Oasis, on the north side of the city, for a singles' pro-am tournament ('501 straight-in double-out). Dark Knight walked in with a woman named Kat. After some introductions, Kat and I played a match. Kat won the match, in 2 games as well. She's a consistent and solid shooter who is calm, cool and collected at the line. After throwing a couple of games I asked her "How do you stay so focused?". We didn't have time to chat that night as the tournament started but Kat was nice enough to send me an E-mail to follow-up. I think Kat's comments are solidly real and right on-target. With her permission, I'm sharing her thoughts on the subject with you.

Hey Lady,

How are you?

You asked me how I could be sooo cool at the line. Well because of history, study & experience this is how...

First, people tell me when I enter a place I walk in like I own the place, even if I have never been there before. I know I can go somewhere only knowing one person and walk out knowing, and making contacts, with 25% of the people there.

I have watched darters when they throw and when they are "in their game" "Game heads are on" (new term for the glossary). Let's list a few...

Rob J: He stands at the line and sets his arm up takes his time (which helps in the release of the dart) and then releases.

Jim N: He steps up to the line and you watch him, he is mechanical with his dart arm.

Chris R: As his opponent thinks about stepping from the line after the 3rd dart is thrown he is at the line and set.

Karen R: Watch her set her arm.

June L (Leahybug): Ditto. Watch her set her arm...

There are many, many other names these are just a few. So, I decided that I needed a stance that would keep me balanced (the leg cramps that I received over weeks of time, but well worth it) and also give me the room to throw and REACH OUT for the number on the board. I try to go in a straight line (shortest point between two distances).

Also, standing up straight and not bending over allows for a better tomorrow.

When you cut down on the movement at the line it allows you to focus on your arm, wrist, hand and release of the dart. Because every movement, that is something besides your arm and extension, will land the dart some where that you may have not wanted...

It is still new to me but now I can tell when I am NOT setting up right. Now releasing the dart...WWWEEELLL that is a deep subject. I am not an expert but I suggest that you watch people who's accuracy percentage wise is high. Watch when they are "IN" a match and how they carry themselves.

I used to be nervous before a match and physically shake, but getting into draws, listening to others and just playing my game to the best of my abilities is what I need to do. Yes, we each want a stellar game to beat the last stellar game, but then we would all be pro's now wouldn't we?

I also decided (from listening and watching others) that I wanted a stance at the line that matched "My Ownership and Walk In the Door" person...

Also, even with all of this if you are EASILY Distracted by anything and everything then you will have a mountain to climb when playing darts. Easily distracted darters are those who have to have the almost "Perfect Set-up". This is different for everyone, which may not be everyone else's, and if you people watch you'll be able to spot these people right away. Me? I look at the surroundings and then I start to block items out that I can live with. Playing on a board by the only door that is an exit as well as an entrance is one of my "sore points". Other than that I wait for the opponent to return to the line (preferably behind it), the chalker to finish what the chalker is doing, and things like that. It used to bother me when I would turn around and see the next darter set-up with dart aimed at the board when I am still pulling my darts out. But, I am over that...

Another acronym (thanks to Annual Bracken [Family Bar]he probably got it from someone too) G O T = Get On Top (it works for the top 2 indoor sports...)

Hope this helps. Kat

Thanks Kat for taking the time to drop me a note. I look forward to playing some additional matches with you this summer. Good luck, and as always, I'll see you at the line.