Coaching Clinic 47
This month we look at putting a practice session together and we have some games to try!
Since we have started our Practice Makes Progress articles in Darts World we have covered all the main areas of the game; power scoring, counting and outshots. We have recommended practising and perfecting your technique and discussed practising solo or with a partner.What we have found with the members of our website is that after following our preset practice routines, it isn't long before they start putting their own practice sessions together. This is crucial, for several reasons. First of all, there is the time factor. Some players can grab half an hour here and there whilst others can fit in 2 hours a day. If you plan your own session you can custom build it around the time you have. Another reason is you can shape your practice around the areas you need to improve!
One of our members, Jim from Scotland, recently sent me the practice session he has devised. It lasts 1hour and 15 minutes and it will double up as our practice game of the month too:
- Warm Up- Firing at the key power scoring targets - Bull, T20, T19, T18
Time 15 minutes. - Game 1- Scoring Game - Total 20's - How many 20's can you hit in 15 minutes? Keep a tally of 20's and 60's
Time 15 minutes - Game 2- Scoring Game - The aim of the game is to focus on hitting the 20 and to get to 250, 500 or even 1000 points. Rules- Aim for the 20 and nothing else. You score 20, 40 or 60 points depending on the segment you land in. But, if you stray into the 1 or the 5 you reset your score to 0.
There are two areas we like here. First of all it is a great drill for keeping straight. Secondly, don't "run for cover" if you are blocking the treble-just go for it anyway or try to pop the dart into the vacant area in the fat part of the 20. Play for 15 minutes and record your best score.
Time - 15 minutes - Game 3 - Checkout Game - Practise your 2 dart checkouts - Jot down twelve, 2 dart checkouts and keep track of how many darts it takes and how far you get hitting them.
Time- 15 minutes. - Game 4 - Checkout Game- To start with mark 40 stripes on the chalk board (if there is one) or on a sheet of paper. To start the game throw for the bullseye. If you hit it you move onto double 1, then double 2 etc. After each throw (3 darts) you erase or cross off one of your stripes. If you don't hit your intended target you start again at it on your next turn. You only move on once you have hit it.
You have 40 throws to get as far around the board as possible -if you get round to double 20 start the sequence off again with the bullseye. Retain your score and set yourself a target to beat it next time.
Time - 15 minutes.
Jim added: As you can see, 1hour 15mins...most folk should be able to do this. It is structured for all aspects of the game and can be done solo or with a practise buddy. Setting yourself the goal of beating the previous day's points tally does put the pressure on but that's what it's all about.