DARTS-Chaos

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Chaos is about those obstacles we encounter that adversely affect how we play the dart arts. Like the adrenal stress-conditioned effects there is no one single way to combat those effects in every situation and case. What I mean is this, no matter the situation variances within that situation experienced multiple times tends to trigger the adrenal stress in a condition that still causes chaos.

The more chaos the less you will be able to combat the effects or at least control them down to a state that allows your darts to fly true consistently and with target-rich results. 

In situations, contests and tournaments, that are more chaotic the less you are going to be able to train and practice to combat and control those chaotic effects. One of the most chaotic contests you can encounter is the, “Blind-draw Doubles,” where the environment and experiences change at every leg of that journey. Different partners and the fluidity of game order, i.e., 301, 501, and Cricket in any order whomever wins the toss or diddle chooses. 

Only over time and experience can one hope to control all those variances and changes to a point where their darts hold true to their perfect darts and perfect game. If you are a beginner, i.e., one who is practicing and playing from one month to two years, then and unless you have no choice it may be best to avoid such random blind-draw doubles games. 

DARTS-Nine/Six Dart Club

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Highlights in the dart arts at not long ago time were hitting T80 or T71 or Hat Trick (three darts in the double bull) but those feats are common now in the high end tournaments such as Europe’s PDC. Now, the two most difficult highlights are the Six Dart and Nine Dart feats when performed put dart’ists into the exclusive club named the same. 

Nine dart club: Playing single-in/double-out 501.

Six dart club: Playing double-in/double-out 301. 

The Nine dart game: T80; T80; Trip-20, Trip-19, Dbl-12.

The Six dart game: T80; Trip-19, Trip-20, Dbl-2

Of course there are other combinations in both types of games and dart’ists tend to pick the one they prefer, especially as to the final out because if they miss the last dart they always want to leave a single dart out in case their opponent fails to get out. 

In the local venue’s hitting above 100 in points is considered a highlight. Hitting a T80 or T71 is also a local highlight warranting a club like membership because at most local levels hitting those highlights are still a huge challenge for dart’ists. 

Add in the American game of Cricket where hitting an open number with all three darts and one of the three being a tripe gives you a highlight called, “C-5.” C-5, 6, 7, 8 & 9,” are the type of highlights for that game. 

The Art of Self-Talk

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It's a mind game with a few sprinkles of the physical that make up the disciplines of the dart arts.

Mind-set, mind-state, attitude, visual-imagery and your own 'Self-Talk'.

We humans tend to take certain traits for granted and push them into the subconscious. Most of the time this is a good thing but to achieve mastery in the dart arts and control the mind you must pull out the subconscious and hold it under the light to analyze and synthesize it into something more beneficial to you dart abilities.

Self-talk is as it appears on the surface, the way you talk to yourself. A good example is when your darts fail to hit the target and you mumble to yourself, "I will never get this, I should just quit!" Catch yourself when you start with some negative self-talk and rephrase it to, "Ok, I know I can do this and if I focus a bit more, breathe and relax the next set of throws WILL improve!"

You see, our minds control, create and construct our entire lives for the construct of our minds is truly, "A Matrix," that builds the very reality, belief system, that leads our bodies on the right, positive and beneficial path.

If the mind tells itself a negative then the negative will manifest into reality in our word, deeds and 'actions' where in the dart arts actions are tossing and hitting the intended target and mastering the dart arts.

Self-motivate through self-talk while using visual-imagery (visualization) to find your true darts and reach expert, and even mastery, of the dart arts!

Just that One Throw

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As beginners we want to find our perfect game, a perfect throw that will be target-rich, consistent and perfect as humans can achieve. Herein lies my answer to this statement, look to the bulls eye.

Yea, the bull should be a beginners first and only practice target until they find and encode their perfect throw (or at least gain a modicum of consistency using the perfect throw). I choose this because to go directly to the triple twenty is the hardest throw and target to master while aiming at the  lower numbers is not focused enough. 

The bulls eye being round and literally symbolic and realistically the shape of a target makes it ideal. It is centered, small and a good solid minds-eye target that balances out the entire board so when you start to go for other targets the adjustments will be minimal at best. 

Note: this assumes you have already encoded your perfect throw movement by using the no-dart aim, cocking, rhythmic forward thrust/throw, dart release and follow through so your finger points to the intended target. 

Note II: Hey, when you use this and begin your darts are going to be horrible. You might say to yourself, this does’t work because I can’t hit anything. Realize this, the conscious mental work of any discipline means your body will not cooperate nor will your mind because you HAVE to THINK too much. The goal here is to think and let your mind create, develop and encode a instinctual like encoding that takes the throw process out of the human mind and pushes it down into the lizard mind for a natural, true, consistent and target rich throw. With patience, consistent practice and training there will come a time, unexpectedly, when suddenly you will be hitting your targets with more accuracy and consistency and without direct intervention of your thinking mind.l

Focus on the bull:

• Focus on the aim.
• Focus on the body and arm position at the aim and during the throw.
• Focus on those other areas with your peripheral maintaining your focus on the target of the bull.
• Focus on a state of positive relaxation in the mind-body-mind then feel that relaxed state all the way from the feet at the oche line up to the tips of your fingers holding your dart. 
• Focus in a relaxed cocking, flow and rhythm of the launch and finally to the release and follow through. 
• Focus on consistant grouping no matter where they hit.
• Focus on consistent grouping moving closer to the bulls eye. 

What we are looking for is focus, stance at the oche line, body posture and structure, use of the hip girdle, use of the shoulder girdle, and an arm position and movement until the final release and follow through of the dart throw. 

It will be discussed again and again throughout this book that there are many, many, many things one must bring together as a whole, holistic, unconscious instinctual process to consistently throw perfect target-rich darts to master the discipline of the dart arts. 

One of the many reasons I call this the dart arts is because the process one shall follow to achieve expert/master status is an art form expressed through the physical manifestation of the entire body-mind-body spirit of the dart game.

It is not just a game but a discipline that takes as much effort, focus and ability as any other discipline from the martial arts for self-defense, to the sport I liken and compare the dart arts too in golf and in other mainstream sports such as football, basketball and golf. 

Take your time, take it just one throw at a time and make sure your focus is on perfecting your dart throw and leave the winning and losing focus to … itself for a perfect throw will lead to winning and without any conscious thoughts of distractions can enter your mind let alone distract you from your throw. 

Wheel Chair Darts

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We have d’artists who shoot from wheel chairs. It didn’t occur to me that the dart arts may have some requirements for our chair d’artists but they do. First, here is an article on the subject from the Darts501.com folks: 

http://www.darts501.com/Disability_Darts.html

When I read the article it came to me that in our league it is possible to set up at least one board for wheel chair and average d’artists, i.e., the regular board set up with an addition of another board at wheel chair height underneath the regular board. 

There is also, as displayed below, a dual wall board setup for a fixed wall mount that can be implemented so wheel chair d’artists can play on a more even field with able bodies players. Those who require the use of crutches and canes use the standard setup. 

Please note that the rear wheels are used so that the persons
body is in the same position that a standing person has
when standing at the oche line. 

DARTS: Sight Alignment and Sight Picture

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In the Marines we learned all about the rifle and one of the most famous of traits Marines have is the ability to learn to shoot and to develop deadly skills to hit what we aim at over long distances. This is how that translates into shooting darts well. 

In marksmanship, Marine Style, we learn a skill called, “Sight alignment and sight picture.” This is shouldering the weapon, assuming a proper body position, then with a dominant eye we look through the rear aperture, sight, find the front sight blade and center it in that aperture and finally center the front sight on the intended target. 

In the dart arts we approach the oche line, set our stance, position the body with proper structure and alignment for a solid stance and balance of the body. We then use the same principle by using our throwing arm like the rifle. Elbow down, forearm in a horizontal position, the hand holding the dart so the flight becomes the aperture, the shaft the extension of the rifle and the front of the barrel or point as the front sight blade. All of that aligns and we aim at the intended target. All that is left is to shoot. 

Dart Release

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Take your dart-kamae, stance, set your body, take aim then throw. Now, that seems a bit simplistic because there are a whole store chock full of physiokinetic aspects to tossing solid, consistent, arrows or darts. 

But, in a nutshell if you take a kamae at the oche line and perform your prefect dart throw, without a dart, as if you were throwing at a specific target but when the throw is complete your index finger of the throwing arm is pointing at the intended target then you have the beginnings of a throw where you can discover a dart release.

What you do is when you practice this way to achieve a consistent target rich throw you add in the dart but in lieu of pointing the finger you follow through and the point where you would point the finger you release the dart, as if it was your finger that would follow the trajectory to the target while you hand and fingers, etc., continue with, “The Follow Through.” 

Note that the action of the throw, the arm, must be smooth all the way through, it must have a rhythm of smooth action that when you practice you will feel the other fingers the hold the grip on the dart will follow through while the index finger points. Naturally when you add the actual dart with the proper grip for you that when releasing will naturally add the index follow through to the other fingers, get it?

Remember that the arm must fully extend, not hyperextend, and this goes for the shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers. You must achieve a state of positive relaxation through the entire process from the feet at the oche line, the body structure, etc., to the arm position elbow down, wrist relaxed and all the movements that achieve the d’artist perfect throw. 

DARTS: Effortless Effort

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There are physiokinetic aspects that must be achieve to perform well in the dart arts. This goes without saying that the mind is paramount to achieving those aspects. The two are mutually beneficial and connected much like the symbolism of the Chinese Yin-Yang. 

Motion must be natural, smooth, relaxed skillful. This can be achieve only with proper practice of intention. If you step up to the oche line and just toss out the darts you are not going to achieve your objective of dart-mastery. You must have an intention such as my recent article on, “Making the Rounds.” 

You have to, “FEEL things” in a positive relaxed state of body and mind to throw well. You have to feel that state of relaxation through the entire process from taking to the oche line until you release the dart to seek out its intended target. 

You must breath for breathing reduces and combats the effects of the adrenal chemical dump. This dump causes things like loss of fine motor skills. When it comes to a relaxed throw from the hand the motions involved meet the criteria of find motor skills. They tend to disappear ruining a dart throw so breathing before, during and especially after each throw goes a long way to keeping your skills sharp.

Another ill effect to your darts is the adrenal effect of a loss of peripheral vision. It is this vision that keeps your body through out the throw connected with and conscious on a unconscious instinctive like way of where your arm is, your body, and your hand and dart while throwing and releasing. Losing even a small part of that ability hinders good solid consistent darts. 

Yet another visual effect of this dump is tunnel vision and that goes with peripheral vision for one is lost completely in the tunnel and you miss out on how you throw to detect and correct errors. 

Lets talk about distorted perceptions, depth perception alteration and behavioral looping. When the dump hits what you perceive tends to fall short of reality so breathing properly as described combats this and as to depth perceptions that changes the way you throw because your target may not be exactly where you aim to hit. Here again, breathing. 

Behavioral looping is that action you take where your mind says to you, I threw this way last time and hit my target so when you miss this time you stubbornly assume that if you throw again and again it will find its way but in truth you may have to change targets. 

It’s like I try for the triple twenty and for what ever reason miss by a mile then it might be best to simply change targeting, say to the triple 19 where more often than not I hit my target/mark. 

All of these things hinder good darts and breathing, focus, concentration and lots of practice help you to keep the resulting stress and strain from causing muscle to tense up and do strange and bizarre things. 

You have to feel an almost total lack of any muscular strain, even a little except what is required to move and toss the dart. You have to feel it through the entire process to achieve proficiency in the dart arts throw. 

Might be the example of the bull whip and the ability to crack the whip would convey the need for an effortless effort. Visualize the limpness of the bull whip and then how best to make that whip crack so loud it startles those around you, even you. It is like being surprised each and every time because the whip moves effortless and relies on the hand and arm to make it work. Think of your body holding is complete stillness with not a bit of stress, it simply is in a state of relaxed stillness then think of the arm are the hand holding the whip and the movement of the arm, wrist, hand and fingers as the body of the whip while the dart leaving your hand the tip of the whip snapping out there to crack the air. That dart will not hit the target if the hand and fingers stiffen or don’t relax enough to fully freely move as the limp whip to toss the dart properly to the target. 

Effortless effort first starts in the mind for any distractions of the mind from outside or inside can cause ripples in the pond that should be as still as glass making it a mirror. Breathing along with relaxation techniques much like those used in meditation relieve the tension and result in stillness without tensions. 

One cannot achieve a still in the present moment mind with any stress, tension or tightening of the mind for the mind effects the body as the body effects the mind. To be effortless one must feel the body for any tensions or stresses then breathe and mindfully relax the muscles to be like the whip.

Breathing and then focusing on the facial muscles, the neck muscles and then the shoulder and upper chest muscles are key. If you feel any tension or stress on those areas breathing and mindfully relaxing those areas will effect the rest of the body thus in the process relax the mind.

A positively present moment relaxed meditative mind leads the body to the same state as does a positively relaxed meditative body leads the mind to the same state in return, a mutual beneficial mind-body connection. To be effortless in your efforts is to be relaxed positively and that gives you the benefit of minimal energy consumption and maximum energy conservation so one can participate in the dart arts in a relaxed positive state of body-mind/mind-body.

Making the Rounds

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There are a variety of practice models to lean, improve and master the dart arts. One of my favorites is to, “Make the Rounds,” that is simply the same as the, “Round the Clock Game.” Start with the number 1 and step through to 20 then close out with the bull. 

Start with the larger pie. Most don’t practice the pies and tend to focus on the major triples and the doubles do get their favorite outs. That is putting a lot into achieving the goal of your favorite numbers and outs where in my view the ability to hit any target successfully and consistently is providing more avenues then one’s favorites. 

Go for making the rounds and you are practicing to hit every part of the board. Starting, as we already indicated, the large pies from 1 to 20, shift to the smaller pies that are closest to the bull, then on to the double ring and finally the triple rings. 

I start out by tossing all three darts to each pie with a goal of hitting it once minimum. Later, as my targeting improves along with the all important throw, I try to hit them all with just one dart and one dart only. I do this, as I assume others do, to teach myself to hit my targets on the first throw so I can use the other two darts on other targets. In cricket I would find it most satisfying to hit with the first dart the triple 20, second dart triple 19 and the third dart triple 18. Then the same with 17, 16 and 15 with a close out of double bull and single bull. The ultimate objective of the Cricket game.

Of all the practice models I find making the rounds the most, “Well Rounded,” in developing a solid consistent target-rich throw and once I achieve the objective of consistently hitting the pies and double/triples with just one dart I would vary it by:

• Start with 1 and follow the numbers to 20.
• Start with 20 and follow the numbers in reverse to 1. 
• Start with any number and choose any other number randomly.
• Start with 1 to hit the big pie, the little pie, the double then the triple and follow the numbers in this fashion up to 20.
• Reverse the last from 20 to 1. 

Keep it exciting and always remember that in practice you have to have a purpose, intent, to the throwing of each and every dart to improve and reach a master d’artist level of the dart arts. 

Oh, lets not forget all the other factors necessary to achieve success in this particular practice model of the oche line, the stance (kamae), the physiokinetic structure and alignment, etc., of the body, the arm and the actual throw (aiming through sight alignment and picture; the arm position and structure; the hand (relaxed, positive relaxation, the limber relaxed wrist, the limber flex and extension of the fingers, the pointing follow through and so on).

Front Sights: Dominant Eye -n- Targeting

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Aiming the dart is much like aiming a rifle where one sets the dominant eye behind the rear sights, the flight in the dart, then looks down the rifle, the barrel of the dart, and then aligns the front sight blade, the front of the barrel or the dart point depending on how you hold the dart, then placing the front sight and aligning the entire thing to the dart target, i.e., like the triple 20, etc.

You find your dominant eye sometimes by the fact of being right or left handed, but not all the time for many players toss arrows with the right hand while using the left, dominant, eye to aim and throw the dart. A simple test is to put the dart about an inch in front of the right eye, or left if you wish, then take aim by aligning the dart to a target then close the right, or left, eye … did the dart flight move? If so, that is your dominant eye. Note that both eyes are open until you do the test, test both eyes to make sure then use the dominant eye to take aim.

Watch expert rifle marksmen, often even a left dominant eye will still shoot as if right handed, i.e., stock to right shoulder and right hand in trigger, while using the left dominant eye to take aim. As a Marine I shot expert by using the dominant eye. 

Now, add this into your efforts to find your darts, the perfect throw. This is just another of those details that the mind, body and spirit of the d’artist must find and train, train, train to achieve mastery over the dart-arts. 

Brim-Shots

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In the dart-arts we have milestones, milestones in that certain targets and their results, i.e., score -n- close/scoring, etc., make for what are called, “Highlights.” The major one is hitting three darts in the triple 20 ring for 180 points. Another, secondary, is the trip 19’s for a 171 score. 

Another is the bulls eye, the very center double-bull area, where three darts in that area is called a, “Hat trick.” Then there is the highlight of hitting a score of 100 or more points with three darts and in the cricket game hitting three darts where one in the triple and two in the pie is a highlight of C-5 with a maximum of any closing area of a C-9, i.e., all three darts in the triple with one caveat, the opponent must not have closed that section, i.e., 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and bulls. 

There is one more highlight that is not as obvious or recognized by the dart world, the brim-shot. The brim shot is about hitting all three darts in the secondary, single-bull, area. It is as if you hit the brim of the hat rather than the top of the hat for a hat trick. 

This is called, “Snapping the Brim!” In a ‘Boater Hat’ you have a flat top hat with a flat brim which best describes the double-single bull configuration as if viewing it from the top/sky. Snapping its brim is to turn it down sparingly or as in the dart arts you snap the brim down sparingly much like a wearer who reaches up to pull down the brim first from the front then with two hands on each side sliding the fingers along the front of the brim to form it properly. In darts, you hit, pin the brim, with the three darts in the brim, single bull, area. 

Brim shots are, “snapping the boater brim with three arrows!”

"Snapping the Boater Brim!"

Bull Practice

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Practice, practice, practice is the only way toward mastery of any discipline as long as it is with intent, intent to hit the target consistently in the dart arts is that kind of practice. Then there are other objectives that provide the way toward that expertise, i.e.,

• Targeting: to hit the intended target with consistency and accuracy.
• Targeting: those targets often ignored in the dart arts such as hitting the bull.
• Targeting: variety as in doubles, triples and most of all “The Pie.” The large and small pie segments not the double and triple ring. 
• Grouping: to toss all three arrows to the target but in a group as tight as possible.
• Targeting: to hit all three arrows, darts, in the intended target, i.e., the triple 20 for instance where the objective is to put all three darts into the tripe space/ring with each point as close as possible.

These are a few examples but one target often ignored in practice is the bull’s eye. You have a single bull and the double bull ring that holds space in the exact center of the board. As can be seen by the below snapshot, you can see by the loss of material in the center along with all the dart point impressions in what material is left at the center of the board. 

Another reason I advocate the practice, a lot, of hitting bulls is the process can bring you back in line with the best throw, your perfect throw. Another reason to target the board area’s with an eye that creates, visualizes or creates a visual imagery, of the smallest area to put the point of your dart to when targeting in the actual throw. The narrow mind-state promotes the tactile and physiokinetic applications of methods necessary to train the brain, the mind, to trigger proper actions for your prefect throw regardless of the target or targeting. 

Awareness in the Dart Arts

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Awareness in self; awareness in others; environmental awareness, i.e., awareness in competitive environments as to how others toss their arrows and compete in the various games and so on is - Dart Arts Awareness. 

You really do have to pay attention to your self in mind, body and spirit. 

• What is your mind doing when you toss arrows?
• What and where is your minds focus with tossing arrows?
• Is your mind-state a calm and clear one?
• Are you experiencing any of the adrenal stress effects such as loss of fine motor skills that can be devastating to your throw?
• etc. etc. etc.

AND

• What is your body doing when you approach the oche line?
• What does your body feel like when you approach, set at and assume your stance at the oche line?
• What effects are your body feeling from any adrenal stress effects?
• Is your body still?
• Is your body stable?
• Is your arm the only part moving when you toss the arrows?
• etc. etc. and etc.

AND

• How do you feel at the different locations in the dart art environment, i.e., 
• while waiting your turn;
• while walking up to the oche line;
• while setting your body and mind at the oche line;
• when preparing to toss the arrow(s), etc.
• How are you feeling and what can you feel in your mind and body in preparation for and tossing the arrow(s)?
• Are you committed to tossing well?
• Are you committed to your objectives in the dart arts?
• etc. etc. etc.

All those things that set up your mind, body and spirit to toss the perfect darts and to be successful in tossing perfect games be they “01” or “Cricket.” 

In addition, once you enter the arena take note and become aware of that environments conditions, i.e.,

• Is the environment crowded?
• Is the environment noisy?
• Is the environment hot, cold or some other less optimal condition?
• Is the board/competitive area set up with adequate space, etc., for the comfort of competition?
• Is the score keeper following proper scoring etiquette and if not, are you preparing your mind to deal with those obstacles.
• Are you getting into a mind-set and mind-state to compensate for any environmental conditions that may effect how you toss your arrows?
• etc. etc. etc.

As you can readily perceive in this article, although not comprehensive to awareness as a whole, that your awareness is something that will support and effect your participation in the dart arts both positive and negative depending on how well you remain and deal with such things. 

• Are you aware of your health? 
• Are you aware of how you fueled your body before the contest?
• Are you aware of and prepared to deal with fuel for the body during the event?
• Are you hydrated and do you have proper hydration for the entire event? 
• Are you well-rested?
• Did you practice and train adequately in preparation?

More on how awareness of your discipline and dart arts make the difference in the outcome of tossing arrows in a competitive environment. 

DARTS: Fingers

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The d’artists fingers are important to the throw. They provide the final thrust and contribute to a more relaxed arm, i.e., shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand and fingers. Finger positioning on the dart especially as they cock and push the dart throughout the entire toss. 

As the d’artists begins his throw the elbow remains steadfast in proper position, the hand and forearm begin its journey back toward the eyes while the wrist and hand gently float backward while the fingers, flex and bend, back into the palm of the hand as if coiled springs being compressed building up energy so when the arm, hand and fingers reach the tipping point the mind releases energy so that the entire arm flexes, stabilizes and extends until a point of no return when the fingers spring forward and out, past the release point and in the follow through so the dart, arrow, can travel the proper trajectory to the target of the board. 

The key is the fingers for if they don’t do their job no matter how well the rest is done the arrows will miss, by sometimes the very width of the board spider-wires, the target. It is the fingers as springs, spring boarding the arrow on its path and way, that launch arrows true. It is the fingers that allow the arm, body and mind to remain in a positively relaxed state combating the adrenal effects of competitive stressors so the arrows, the darts, will fly as if born with wings on air currents following through to any, any, intended target of the board. 

The fingers are the controls not just the spring board for their position and tension along with stabilization hold the arrow true and straight into the path that leads directly to the target. It is the toughest to discover and the toughest to train toward a consistency that makes the d’artist a great dart arts practitioner. 

It takes often months to years for a true d’artist to find not just their throw but to train the fingers to do their part controlling everything in that moment of spring release, launching the dart and hitting the objective - the intended target. 

Dart Diet

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As with any discipline what you input as fuel must be such that it feeds the body-mind toward optimal performance for the d'artist.

What is an optimal performance diet?

1. Eliminate sugar.
2. Remove cereals, pasta's and other processed foods.
3. Remove starches, cheeses, and many milk products.
4. No processed vegetable oils.
5. Restrict carbs.
6. Eat only good fats.
7. Eat fresh local grown fruits and veggies.
8. Eat proper adequate amounts of proteins.
9. Eat organic local grown meat and eggs.
10. Supplement vitamins, etc.

This is far from a comprehensive list and in fact one should consult a dietary professional who specializes in sports nutrition. The goal here is to convey the importance of diet for fuel especially since the higher levels of competition can be grueling marathon’s of tossing arrows. The above list should be only about information and direction leaving the research up to the d’artist. 

Fist Bump in Dart Arts

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Well, a good question I asked myself is, “Why do d’artists bump fists?” My search found a lot of different views on the topic with many expressing a lot of angst about doing it but in the end it falls into the etiquette category. 

Historically: I could not find anything definitive on the dart arts fist bump. I did find some information that indicated the fist bump is a gesture similar in etiquette to a handshake or even the high five used in sports. It is also believed as a gesture of both respect and approval of the person you bump fists with. It can be followed by other hand and body gestures in greeting others. 

One source wrote, “It is commonly used in baseball and hockey as a form of celebration with teammates, and with opposition players at the end of a game. In cricket it is a common celebratory gesture between batting partners.” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fist_bump

The wiki page talks about its beginnings as far back as the late 1800’s as a boxer handshake simply because the normal handshake is not possible while wearing boxing gloves. I kind of like and accept this at least in the boxing world. There is also reference to the early seventies when military persons of color used it as a form of salute to symbolize, “Black Power.” 

There are other sports references such as in basketball, a player in the 70’s did it with another player, etc. What some may not know is that in the animal kingdom anthropologists observed chimpanzees bumping fists and they still don’t know why the chimpanzees do that gesture. Even one of our recent Presidents of the United States used the fist bump at the end of one of many meetings while running for the office. 

There is one belief that hygienically speaking the fist bump reduces skin contact reducing the transfer of bacteria thus being a recommendation as a more hygienic alternative to a handshake or high five. 

So, in the end, it really doesn’t matter why or where it began in the dart arts and it is a good alternative to the handshake, if the parties are in agreement to its use, but it should be limited for etiquette purposes, i.e., before a contest begins and after it ends ONLY. As an aside I would add in the same requirement for expressing when a d’artists tosses most excellent arrows, i.e., often said, “Good Darts!” Leave that for after the game or leg ends while changing out players for the next leg of a game or match. 

Now, personally, I don’t mind the fist bump at all. I assumed when I returned to the discipline that fist bumps were a part of the game etiquette. It took me a little time to stop reaching for the handshake and just bump, lightly, fists but I can see how it promotes good social connections and camaraderie in team efforts. I still feel it is only appropriate before and after a contest and I feel strong it should not be overdone or done during siad contest because all the d’artists want to focus, focus and focus. 

Clear Flights - Why?

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I like clear flights. I realized although they are out there not many use them and prefer a more personalized flight design, i.e., design as in the design of the decoration rather than the flight shape or configuration. I like clear flights because they don’t distract from my aiming and from targeting when they cover that target. 

When a flight covers your intended target often it means you toss an arrow by strict instinct or you move to see the target better. Moving changes the dynamics of your throw and that means it changes the dart throw. Normally, not a big thing but for me it allows me to continue seeing the target so I can stay in my position and toss another right after the first. 

Clear flights also allow me to see just the straight shaft of the dart so as to align its aiming point in line with the shaft as well as keep it steady and in line with the target through out the entire throw. As long as all the other factors are in alignment this should, and does, result in a good solid dart to the target. 

I liken it to using the shaft without the distraction and obstruction of a decorated flight much like sighting along rear sights and the front sight blade on a rifle. As long as the rear of the shaft is lined up directly behind the shaft and the point you have good alignment to the target.

Sight alignment, sight picture and then dart throw control to hit that target, first time and every time. It also helps to keep the hand, fingers, wrist and so on aligned during the movement of the toss. It’s a tool to achieve a more consistent throw while keeping the body movement at a minimal, outside normal for human movement since you cannot achieve total immobility as a human being. 

Tracking 🎯

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When one loses the target, to track back on target. To zero back in. To also track back into tight groups. The compliment to consistency is tracking back on target. Remaining on target is also critical because many times when three are tossed most excellently the next three tend to falter and when they do the first thought comes to mind, to track back on target. 

It reminds me of marksmanship, i.e., sight alignment, sight picture, and trigger control along with many other aspects that make one an expert marksman to which Marines tend to excel. As an expert rifleman I use those skills along with other skills of other disciplines to train, learn and improve my dart arts. I don’t have a method, I have a system of various skills and expertise that contribute collectively to learning and applying dart arts skills. When two very good, old and experienced players of high caliber tell you that you have made some amazing improvements in the short time back in the discipline you can accept the fact that your system is working. The goal is to keep it working for the long haul.

When tracking we have to adjust of things like, rifle marksman symbolism here, windage (in short the way you hold your hand upon release where a turn one way or the other takes things to the left or right of target), elevation (in short, when you release too soon or too late causing the dart to rise higher or lower than the target) and muscle and breath control (where your breathing and its body movement that disturbs the trajectory of the darts).

Yes, there is more to this including body structure, balance and kamae or stance at the oche line so in the end the collective application of the dart arts is considered a very complex process often seen by the uninitiated as simply throwing darts. Keep part of your mind on tracking to hit center mass of your target be it the pie, the double of the all high scoring triple. 

Good Darts 🎯

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You hear the often when tasting arrows especially after tossing "Good Darts," but do we really know what good darts are?

Here is what I use to define good darts.

1. When all three are in a tight grouping at least half the time or more.
2. When all three darts are in the pie, target, the D'artist is aiming for in competition.
3. When at least one hits the triple targeted even if the other two miss even the pie.
4. When one hits the double and one hits the single pie.
5. When one scores a minimum of sixty points each round of three, or more - that is good darts. 
6. When the dart or darts - matter!

All too often most d’artists will tell a partner they tossed good darts but in reality, a good amount of time, that is just not true. I understand it may be attempts to boost morale and confidence but if given indiscriminately it tends to be more an insult. It is best to comment good darts when they are good darts. 

We do ourselves and others a disservice when accolades are given in such a way but we foster improvement and confidence when we provide honest, true and accurate accolades for it triggers a mind-state that fosters continued improvement and progress and that is the name of this game. 

DART ARTS: The Pub Venue

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It is strange that in years past it never occurred to me that darts is played exclusively in pubs, bars and bowling 🎳 alleys and, this is the part of which I speak, the game for the venue is about selling alcoholic drinks 🍹- duh, Homer Simpson head slap 👋🏼.

If you are a non-drinker, like me, are you welcome and how do the proprietors feel about your playing and not drinking? That and it puts a whole new light on playing darts 🎯 when it is just another income generator where if non-drinkers start to become the majority then why allow darts in the pub?

In days past I was definitely in a minority so small the pub owners did't care because it was known that the drinkers would have non-drinking friends.

Putting the pub owner hat 🎩 on would I want my place of 'business' to allow people who didn't spend money 💰 to just use my place to play a discipline that didn't also generate income? Nope 👎, I would not. I understand the situation and feel bad 😔 that this never occurred to me in the first place. This is especially important if the pub does not serve food, etc., other than drinks. After all, pubs is indicative of drinking and both pool and darts were venues to pull in clientele who - you guessed it - "Drink."

Darts is both a competitive and social discipline thus ideal for pubs to pull in 'paying' customers.

All this and more begs the question, "If a non-drinker should I be playing the game especially since it is done exclusively in pubs, bars and bowling alleys?

This question takes on greater importance when those who participate as non-drinkers start to become a majority as that as an adverse effect on the business.

Personally, I feel bad 😔 because I am a non-drinker and since most d'artists I play with in the league don't drink should I still participate and should the proprietors allow us to participate? I would understand and support them asking us non-drinkers to not use their pubs.

I wonder if a moderate cover charge were imposed at the door 🚪 would alleviate things so we non'ers could still toss darts? I wonder, is there some other way the d'arts could continue outside the pub venue?

I have been racking my mind for alternatives that would keep darts alive but to date have had no success. I am asking myself if I should give it up simply to abide by pub needs toward making the business viable?

Should I ask the pubs where the darts are played if they have a drink minimum requirement and if not don't play there?