From: tang@akofin.enet.dec.com (Gabe Tang)
Subject: Re: Newcomer, Form query.
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: 28 AUG 92 09:55:29 EST


re: hirschfb@news.uwyo.edu 

>Hello, I've been putzing around with darts for a few years, and can never seem
		  ^^^^^^^
	No, that's "dicking" around for the rest of the world. :-)

>to get anywhere. I know, I know, just keep working at it. Problem is, I can't
>seem to find a stance, or grip, or throw in a good combination that works even
>slightly consistantly. I try to concentrate on what I'm doing, but nothing
	  ^^^^^^^^^^^^
>seems to matter. Usually, what happens is, I start getting good groupings, I
							    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
	How is it that you claim to get groupings and also to not have any
	consistency? Obviously you must have some consistency to get a good
	group. Your problem is you don't know it yet. :-?
	That is, just because the darts don't hit the target you were aiming
	at, doesn't mean you don't have good consistency. You really do, you
	just don't realize it because you are disappointed that they are off
	the mark, as it were.

	So, the key is to develop the consisteny first, change the aiming
	mechanism afterward. Use the ole scientific approach. From a known
	good basis, change one and only one factor in the shot process. See
	what happens to the shot. Are you still grouping? yes, good. Now,
	where did the shot go and why? Do you know why? Do you know what
	caused it to not go where you want? Do you realize that at least if
	you are still grouping that your shot form is still good? Next, since
	you still have a good consistent shot, change one more aspect of your
	form. What is the change? It could be anything. You could change the
	grip, stance, cant of your body, elevation of the elbow, change darts
	flights or shafts. Whatever you do, don't change too many things at
	one time. Make sure you are still grouping well. And always study
	what happened on each shot. Do you know and understand why each shot
	was good or not? Do you know why they grouped to the left or the right
	above or below the intended target? If you don't understand what
	happened, you won't be able to reason out what the next change should
	be. Changing every day from one style to another is just going to
	make you frustrated.

>just have no idea how to get them to move where I want. What kinds of
>techniques do you folks out there use? Or am I destined to be a very mediocre,
>and inconsistant player with a nifty dart board nailed to the wall?

	Whining and moaning won't get you anywhere. Have a friend or perhaps
	a good darter watch your shots. Or, even a non-darter....but someone
	who is good at another activity or sport. Ask them to watch your
	shot process, your form, not necessarily where your dart went. Ask
	them to critique and analyze what they saw. You'll be surprised, if
	someone can watch with an analytical eye, they can help you a lot.
	When I watch someone, I can usually tell if the shot was good, whether
	the dart went towards their intended target or off to the side and
	whether it was a fluke or within their basic and consistent form. In
	other words, without even seeing where the dart went, I coach people
	and usually get results.

	Just last night my team was in the playoffs for the local summer
	league. In all of the Minuteman Dart league, the largest in the
	area, we just qualified for the league finals. How? by my making the
	line-up and then coaching a couple of the key shooters. We came from
	a 4-7 deficit to take the match 13-12. In one game our weakest shooter
	was up against their #2 man. Our man is usually all over the board.
	But, by forcing my will upon him and making him shut all others out and
	to listen only to me, he came back to win a game that by most observers
	he should have lost. It's funny how visualizing and mentally repeating 
	to oneself what you want to do can work miracles. Focusing on a 
	pinpoint spot, not just a general area.

	Oh, one more thing. If you want to come out to the Boston area. I'll
	be glad to coach you for my usually fee......you buy the beers! ;^)