In order to become even more successful in darts, darts mental training is essential.
Professional players in particular now almost all use a mental coach in order to be able to withstand the ever-increasing pressure situations at the right moment.
Darts mental training can also be beneficial for you as a hobby player. Especially if you play in a darts team and are regularly confronted with these pressure situations .
It is also possible to become your own mental coach in darts.
The role of the psyche in darts
A strong psyche is worth more than just a few points in darts. Darts is a mental sport, and even the professional players feel this again and again - no matter how great the talent is.
Overall, it is not uncommon to hear that darts is played more than 50 percent in the head . An incredible value and it impressively illustrates how important it actually is to have mental strength in darts and to do dart mental training.
But why is that and how do you get your psyche under control so that it doesn't play tricks on you at the wrong moment?
In order to understand dart psychology, you will also have to work on yourself. That's why here are a few dart training tips for you.
The mechanisms in the head
During a dart match we are under pressure. This pressure causes our brain to put us in a situation where we experience a feeling of stress .
The stress in turn gives the head the signal of a dangerous situation . A completely normal and human reaction that we cannot prevent and is in our nature.
But we can get this mechanism under control. Because if there's something we can't use in darts, it's stress and pressure.
For example, too much stress and pressure on the board can create a kind of vicious cycle that often ends in so-called dartitis . And dart psychology has already struck.
Stress automatically causes us to tense up . The blood is drawn from the hands, so that muscle tension increases. The result is that we no longer stand as relaxed and are often no longer able to carry out the throwing movement as usual.
There is also another problem. This is referred to as the so-called self-fulfilling prophecy . This means: Before the throw, we imagine a scenario that will then occur.
Of course, that doesn't mean that the idea of doing a 180 will result in this. But vice versa . For example, if we have three match darts against a strong player, the pressure in the head can increase enormously. This happens with the spiritual idea that the enemy will be there in the next moment.
In such moments the following often happens: We think to ourselves that we definitely won't hit the double. But of course it would be nice if it succeeded. Because of these doubts, we hardly have a chance of getting the double.
It is precisely these thoughts that need to be put to a stop in order to get the thoughts and stress under control. You have several options to turn off the dart head.
Dart mental training – what options are there?
In order to become even more successful in darts, darts mental training is essential. In addition, you shouldn't miss out on dart training target exercises in order to prepare yourself perfectly and become your own mental coach in darts.
Now we have briefly explained to you to what extent mental strength affects the game of darts or not. Next, we would like to show you how you can get some of these problems under control .
Because without dart mental training you will always fall back into these old patterns . Whether sooner or later is only a question of time.
When things are going well, these things don't bother you. But if you have problems playing your game and the psychology of darts kicks in, then it can really drag you down.
Tips for darts mental training before, during and after the game
Before the game, it is particularly important that you remain calm and composed . So become your own mental coach when it comes to darts and, above all, reduce stress.
- Go play a game of squash
- jog,
- get some sleep,
- do autogenic training
- or meditate.
This is how you can keep your stress levels under control .
During the game , chewing gum or sucking candy can have a relaxing effect and also relax you.
Just try out what is the best option for you.
Before the game
Many people use the time before the game to work off some energy and do something to combat stress. As already mentioned, this can be exercise or you can meditate. This can also reduce stress and relax you.
1. Simulation of stressful situations
The easiest way to do this is through simulation. During your darts mental training, you imagine that you are in a pressure situation . For example, you have 60 points remaining and try to imagine yourself in a real game as best as possible in order to throw a dart triple .
Although this doesn't work 100 percent, you still feel a certain amount of pressure and learn to deal with it. Because practicing without pressure will never prepare you for the situation in a real game and you will not be able to turn off the dart head .
After a while of stressful situations, a wear and tear effect sets in so that you learn how to deal with a pressure situation .
The rule here is: practice, practice, practice. Repeat these situations as often as possible, the faster you will be calmer in the game. A suitable solution is the myDartCoach app, where you can play against a bot and put yourself under pressure.
2. Visualize
You can think through the game in advance and the “threatening” situation becomes less important. An excellent way to turn off the dart head and cope with the stress.
Also ask yourself if missing the double is really that bad and what happens next. Such considerations often lead to you becoming much more relaxed and able to smile about the stress .
3. Stay relaxed
The second option is to make it clear that it's actually just about throwing arrows. This is also dart psychology. So you should be aware of the consequences if you miss a field. Actually nothing.
A defeat is the worst scenario and is manageable. This is how you can create an “I don’t care” attitude step by step. This in turn means that you are much more relaxed on the board and can also throw without being tense .
Last but not least, stress should be reduced before a game so that it doesn't build up. This is best done through physical exertion .
So going for a run can help. Here you can find out for yourself which physical activity works best. You are basically your own mental coach in darts and know best what is good for you and what is not.
4. Reduce stress
The most important thing, of course, is that you reduce stress . You have various options, which we have already listed above.
Of course, you have to find out for yourself which option is suitable for you.
From chewing gum to jogging, swimming, sleeping in or meditating , you have numerous alternatives to relax and relieve stress.
Dart mental training during the game
But what if all the preparation doesn't help and you just don't want to hit anything in the game?
1. The correct breathing technique
The right breathing technique can help you become calmer and focus better . Every breathing exercise begins with a deep exhalation .
Inhaling, on the other hand, happens all by itself. There is no pause after inhaling and exhaling should take twice as long as inhaling.
Tip: Count to 4 as you breathe in and count to 8 or even 10 or longer when you breathe out . The most important thing is to breathe out for a long time in order to simply breathe away stress.
2. Chewing gum or candy
Relaxing is one of the most important dart mental training tips. Of course, this doesn't happen so easily. It's actually not that difficult to counteract the cramps. Chewing gum can provide the necessary relief here.
The explanation: When you chew gum, your body is led to believe that it is receiving nutrition. This signal alone creates a feeling of relaxation . Breathing can also help you relax. So you should make sure that you breathe calmly and evenly.
3. Playing tricks on your own head
It is also possible to play tricks on your head and ignore the stressful situation for a fraction of a second.
This is particularly helpful for throws on the double field and is done as follows:
- Imagine a sentence or word that you say quietly to yourself as you throw the ball.
- In this moment you concentrate on saying the words quietly instead of on the pressure situation.
- This prevents you from getting too involved in the situation in front of the dartboard. What you say to yourself doesn't matter at all. But it makes sense to repeat the same words to yourself over and over again . Try using the word “myDartpfeil” 😉
After the game
After the game is before the game. That's why you should deal with the game and your stress afterwards . This is the only way you can get better and turn off the dart head. Become your own mental coach in darts.
1. Create a dart diary
A journal can help you discover your mistakes and thus improve them. A professional mental coach will also advise you this when it comes to darts.
This way you have an overview and can see exactly where you did well and where there is still room for improvement .
2. Relax
Of course you should also relax after the game. You can even incorporate this relaxation into your “pre-game” stress relief.
Because here you can see exactly what you can do to relax and unwind best. Adopt this method before the game and almost nothing can go wrong.
Conclusion
As you can see, it's not that difficult to prepare well for a game, reduce stress and stay relaxed during the game. What's most important is that you stick with it and don't give up after a short time .
In order to be able to switch off the dart head, it is not enough to just do a few weeks of mental training. You should definitely always do this. Before, during and after the game .
This is the only way you can keep stress as low as possible in the long term and throw your arrows in competitions in a relaxed manner.
Ready to take your skills to a new level? Discover our exclusive secrets and proven methods to optimize your game:
- Find out tips now Darts training and our darts training tips. We explain training games on the dartboard and dart throwing techniques.
- The desire for a game of darts is increasing not only in the PDC professional circuit, but also in the amateur sector. In the long run, it's less fun to throw at the dartboard alone. For this reason, the so-called webcam darts is currently enjoying increasing popularity.
