The difference between darts practice at home and the pub/tournaments

Hi Guys

I have received a few emails on why players find themselves not being able to replicate their 'home' form in tournament and league matches, especially from new darters.

Well, whilst i would consider myself a novice myself (just 28 months in), i can at least explain the practicalities of it:

the usual question is:

"I can  hit averages in the 60-80s at home and then in league play i can only hit 40's"

Now i was no different, please read my blog on my first darting experience outside the practice room:

http://mydartinglife.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/how-i-got-into-darts-chapter-4-my-first.html?_sm_au_=iQVsLWLZWRnLKkVF


A primary reason (in my opinion) is its all down to environment and nerves. At home you tailor your practice environment to perfection. lighting, noise, location, - hell even temperature and time of day you do it.

Its tuned perfectly (or as close to)  for your preferences.

Now in a pub or tournament environment you have:

• noise
• shouting
• drunk people
• varying temperature
• different lightning
• different atmosphere
• expectation (others and yours)
• the adrenalin kick in!
• nerves

its as far from your own comfort zone as possible which is why it impacts so much. This is why at home you can hit the 20's but in those situations your peppering the 5's and 1's!

I found that the best way to simulate such things is to (at home):

• Turn the heating up in the practice room (i have a heater blasting), or waaaay down
• Have a darts match on the ipad/tv playing reasonably loudly in the background
• Have a drink about (even if its just to simulate the smell of alcohol)
• Put the practice programme on tourney mode against high quality players (not ones you can thrash and learn nothing from)

This prevents getting comfortable and to acclimatise to distracting conditions.