My practice over the last couple of weeks has been very much about stripping things back. I’ve stuck with the games I recently created on my laptop, all designed with one aim in mind, and that is getting back to basics.
Rather than chasing big checkout routines or endless 501s, the focus has been on hitting big numbers consistently, tightening up grouping, and cutting out the wild darts that have crept in during matches. I’ve been applying the same approach to doubles as well with repetition, rhythm, and confidence rather than forcing finishes.
So far, it seems to be going in the right direction. The darts feel more controlled, and perhaps more importantly, I feel more confident standing at the oche. There’s still work to do, but the throw feels more natural and less forced, which has been missing for a while.
A big part of this phase has also been mental. I’m making a conscious effort to quiet the noise in my head and stop overthinking every movement. When I allow the throw to flow, everything looks and feels better and I’m starting to trust that again.
Last Wednesday’s Under 55 Average Tournament was encouraging. I played reasonably well and felt far more settled than in previous weeks. With that in mind, I’m confident I can make a real impression tomorrow if I keep things simple and relaxed.
Unfortunately, the Thursday open tournament sold out in record time, so I missed out on that one. It looks likely to be the same again this week, although I’ll put my name on the reserve list just in case. That said, I’m not too worried about tournaments right now.
At this stage, it’s less about chasing results and more about rebuilding confidence, sharpening fundamentals, and finding a smooth, fluid throw again. If I can do that, the results will take care of themselves.
The goal is to head into the new year in a strong place, calm, confident, and throwing darts the way I know I can.
