Its Time to Get Real

When it comes to practice I am a major proponent of infusing as much reality as possible. I firmly believe that practice does not make perfect, but rather perfect practice makes perfect.

It is important to keep in mind the ultimate goal of practice is to improve our competitive game. With that in mind, I constantly try to come up with creative ways to push the boundries of traditional practice session.

Only by mimicking the pace, pressure, intensity, and distractions of competitive tournament play are we able to get the full benefit of practice. Any training that ignores these factors will not fully prepare us for what it actually takes to win tournaments.

Here are a few suggestions to help you get the most out of your practice time.

Set the Proper Pace
A common mistake most players make is not taking time inbetween turns during solo practice. It is important to set the pace of what you would expect in competition. Allow time in between throws for an imaginary opponent to complete their turn.

Keep Your Intensity
Another common pitfall is becoming complacent in your practice. Remember one hour of intense practice will provide more benefit then 3 hours of just chucking darts at the board. When you play practice games shoot with all the focus and will to win you would at a tournament. This way you are also practicing winning rather then accuracy alone.

Practice Game Situations
Every top player will tell you that a match is decided in only a few crucial situations. Among equals, the player best equipped mentally for these situations will always have the advantage. This is why experience plays such a big part in tournament success. Practice these scenerios and do so with full focus and intensity.

Enviroment and Distractions
Try not to only practice in the perfect enviroment. Introduce elements that distract you and are commonly found in competition. The closer your practice enviroment resembles actual competition settings the more comfortable you will become.

Remember practice will improve your game. It is up to you what aspects are keyed upon. By infusing reality into your sessions you will learn to overcome distraction, deliever under pressure, and improve your mental stamina,