Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Allen Wallace on July 14, 2011 at 9:46pm

For me, I would at least take a break.  I wouldn't want to continue throwing with bad form and burn it in to my muscle memory.  But on the other hand, I have in the past continued throwing in order to figure out the problem.  So, I guess the answer is A or B, depending on the frustration level. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob "Barjo" Shoe on July 14, 2011 at 9:54pm

For me it depends on what "not well" means. If I'm just missing my target and my scores are low, but my arm feels fine, then I might continue. If it's because my throwing mechanics are off and I'm just making it worse, or my arm is tightening up, then I take a break. Come back to the board and slow it all down to the point that I'm just throwing, following through. I think taking a break can never hurt because it's always good to let the frustration dissipate so that you can get your focus back.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin Harris on July 15, 2011 at 2:21am

I think it depends as well.  First, I don't commit to practice for a specific amount of time.  If I feel I am losing focus or have bad mechanics after I've been practicing for awhile, I'll shut it down for the night if I can't get back on track or maybe take a short break.  But, if that starts happening early in the session, I power through it.  I try to figure out what I can to correct what is causing me to not throw well.  Practicing just so you can say you finished your two hour session isn't meaningful.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by coby king on July 16, 2011 at 6:18am

good question, i have been going threw it in th last couple of months. i just push threw it because i think darts is mental.somedays i just dont have it. (long day at work,no sleep,arm hurts) i need to learn how to fix my stroke and mind when im in a funk.i dont freak out if my practice session sucks,its an chance to learn about myself.

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bill Carey on July 18, 2011 at 2:50am

It definitely depends. It depends on the individual doing the practicing, and it depends on all of the various factors of the equasion on any given day.

 

What is a good practice? A good practice is one that leaves you feeling as though you have accomplished something positive for the day. This may happen in half an hour, or it could happen over the period of, say, 3 or 4 hours. The point being, that it likely will not be exactly whatever time limit you pre-determine your practice session to be. Your main goal in practice should be Quality over Quantity. In other words, do not concern yourself with how many or how long, but rather with how well. Throwing 300 well placed, well thrown, completely focused darts, will do you much more good than if you were to throw 3,000 haphazard darts with no focus, purpose, concentration, or significant awareness. Always dedicate yourself 100% during practice. Anything less, and you will be shortchanging yourself. Practice time is your time. Make the most of it. When you pre-determine a set time limit for practicing, it can lead to periods of time where you are not giving 100%. Throwing without focus, awareness, or a sense of what you are doing to control your dart, or what needs to be done to control your dart, will lead to throwing bad darts and poor technique. Throwing bad darts for two hours will only teach you how to throw bad darts for extended periods of time, and may actually even hinder your rate of improvement.

 

A practice session should not be primarily results-based. A session should be more about the analysis of your game, the feel of your stroke, and the "feel" of how you are controling your dart and getting it to do what you want it to do. It should be an ongoing process of analysis into the strengths and weaknesses of your game, your stroke, and your ability to focus. An ideal practice session should center around trying to improve your weaknesses, while also maintaining your strengths.

 

With all of that being said, what happens when you are practicing, and things are just not flowing in a positive direction? Well, as I said, it depends. Frustration is a killer. Rarely, if ever, will any good come from it. Frustration will cloud your ability to focus. It will eat at you, and likely cause you to throw even more poorly, which will only lead to further feelings of frustration. When this happens, take a break. Settle down and regroup. Some people have a better ability to do this than others. When you feel you are ready to resume, take a few practice throws, and jump back into it. What happens at this point will give you a decent indication of the right course of action. If you feel the frustration intensifying once again, or begin to feel that continuing on will only hurt more than it will help, then perhaps, it is time to call it a day. If you honestly think that there is an issue that needs to be addressed, or that you can proceed onward with proper dedication and focus to the tasks at hand, then by all means, go for it. Perhaps, you may even surprise yourself and gain a lesson in how to turn things around when they are not going your way, or about how to fight through adversity and regain your form.

 

The bottom line is, that there is no real definitive answer for this dilema. Some days, it is going to be better for you to fight through things with your sweat and tears. Some days, it might be better to pack it in and, for sanity's sake, and the well being of your game, call it a day. If the frustration level that day is a bit too much to overcome, or you find that you are regressing, or reverting to previous bad habits. pack up shop and start fresh at another time. If you think that you can plod onward and dedicate the proper amount of focus and concentration required to properly proceed, then that is what you should do. The more you practice, the better you will get at objectively being able to weigh the situation and make the proper decisions. Take breaks often, as needed, and always stay focused, fresh, and dedicated to what you are doing. Analyze your game, your ability to focus, and develop your stroke, so that it becomes second nature. Always walk away with something positive that you did during your session. 

 

If you have made it this far...Congratulations!! Thank you for reading. (zzzzzzzzzzzz) LOL

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Alex Spellman on July 19, 2011 at 11:58am

You shouldn't stop no matter how poorly you're playing.  If you throw like this in a match, you can't just say, "Hey, I'm not throwing well, so I'm gonna go take a break."

 

You need to learn how to play through it, and focus on how how to get back into your throw as quickly as possible.

• ▶ Reply