The Mental Aspect of the Game When You've Got the Lead...


This last week I played in a '501 singles match and I lost. I watched my opponent warm up and I considered myself to be a more skillful darter, but I still lost 2 out of 3 legs. As I strive to become a better darter I've given this situation some thought and will share my insights.

There are a couple of reasons that I lost the match, but the bottom line is that I was the cause of my own undoing. I won both diddles and started off 2 of the games. I visualized hitting solid darts (60s) and tons. But then when I hit the big numbers and was throwing solid darts, I lost that mental edge! What happened??? In each of the games that I lost I was down to a decent out while my opponent was struggling in the 200s. How could I miss my outs with so much of a lead? Here's what happened.

When I visualized the match I expected a close game and I wasn't prepared when I shot good darts. With such a big lead I put pressure on myself...I walked up to the line very nervous, without confidence and told myself "Oh boy, now that I've shot good darts I better be able to take out the double". The closer my opponent got to a decent out, the more nervous I became and I'm sure this was obvious to my opponent.

This isn't the first time this has happened so I'm trying to figure out what I could have done differently:

  • Visualize throwing solid darts and hitting your out
  • Expect the unexpected as the game might be easier then you anticipated
  • Stand tall and straight at the line so that you look like a winner
  • Walk up to the line with confidence, the confidence of a winner. Be positive as in "I'm going to hit my out, I know what to do and I'm prepared to do this" rather then standing at the line thinking "I hope I can win this game"
  • Think of every dart as a new turn. Each round is a new game and each dart is a new game in itself!
  • Think in the "now" with each dart and get rid of the negative self-talk such as I'm throwing like crap, it's a bad night, I'm never going to win, etc.
  • Remember to breath properly at the line (I was holding my breath without even realizing it)
  • Take your time with each throw (I speeded up with every throw as I put more pressure on myself)
  • Recognize that the mental aspect of the game is a large part of winning or losing
  • Visualize, visualize and visualize some more that you are winning the game
In retrospect, I shot very good darts during my doubles matches during the same night of league play. What was the difference? With the doubles matches I knew I had a partner to rely on so I put less pressure on myself. The result was that I felt more confident and was free to play my game. Without this pressure, during the double's matches, I actually threw the winning darts for a couple of games. So, obviously if I could win with a partner, there's no reason that I couldn't have won my single's match.

I strongly believe that when a darter has the mechanics of the throw down-pat, and understands the strategy of the games, that at least 50% or more of winning is due to confidence and having that mental edge. Drop me an E-mail and let me know your thoughts...

As always, good luck and I'll see you at the line.