Why Practice
There are two general reasons why anyone would want to practise throwing darts.
The first reason is somewhat obvious. We all want to increase our ability for upcoming competitive situations and simply get better. It is commonly held in virtually every sport that competitors must practise or train to increase performance levels. It is also believed that that the quantity and quality of practise coincides directly with an increase in ability. It does.
The second reason to practise is for the sheer enjoyment. Throwing darts can be very enjoyable in a completely non-competitive way. It can be relaxing or it can be stimulating. There is a mysterious enchantment we feel as we attempt to propel our dart through the air towards a seemingly ever elusive target. Nothing matches the feeling of satisfaction from a successful strike.
The throwing of darts can approach a state of meditation. After all, we know that state of mind is a major factor in success at the dart board. The addiction of the game stems from the constant craving to come closer and closer to perfection. There is also the thrill when your game comes together. Is there not pure joy when anyone hits their first 180? It is an ethereal elation to become World Champion.
Every dart player and fan has an obsession with the 9-dart game. Why? It is the symbolic attainment of being one with the game, if only for a fleeting moment.
Phil Taylor continues to fascinate dart fans around the world. Is it because he wins such a high percentage of the time? Certainly winning is admired in any form of competition, but I think it is how he wins that mesmerizes us.
I'm not referring to the lopsided match scores. It is the averages that amaze even the best of the rest of the pros. We've all had good matches, but Phil seems to have 100 or better 3-dart average every time he plays. No one else has equalled his standard. So how did he reach this level of play?
Practise. It is the only way. No other player had the capability to force him to play THAT well.
Phil is a pioneer of sorts. He knew he could play better and he worked through practise to push himself further. Why?
The answer is that he is no different than any of us, pub players and pros alike. He loves the game and he yearns to master the game and himself.
I believe that I can work hard and get my averages to continue increasing and so should all players.
In 1987 I got a board and darts after watching the game on television a couple of times. During the first two years I played all I did was teach myself and practise. The hour or two that I practised each day was entirely enjoyable and relaxing. I eagerly worked and increased my skill level, never accepting that I couldn't be better. It was an exercise for it's own sake.
Today I have been through every level of the game and I still look forward to those couple of hours a day when the world is just me, my darts and my dreams of mastering the art of dart throwing.
Enjoy your practise.
John Part