Frustration

Posted: 22.07.13 in Throw Like A Pro Blog category

Aidan reflects on the "roller-coaster ride" that is darts, whatever level you play!

Let me begin by stressing that this is no attempt to compare myself to any professional dart player. I am not in the same league as any of them... Yet :)

But I do think all darts players of all ability can at times, feel like a professional. Whether its in Blackpool or down the local, a win is a win and when you do it the feeling is immense. And whilst losing in the top tier of professional darts certainly holds a lot more pressure and consequence than down the pub, the feelings can be similar.

Watching Paul Nicholson show his emotion, and true personality on stage versus Dave Chisnall was tough to watch. We have seen similar breakdowns before. It makes them no easier to watch. And no one other than the Asset himself knew how he was feeling in Blackpool.

And to be frank, no one needs to know. Those who take this game seriously, will suffer heartbreak more often than not. As you progress and your game improves, and you find yourself playing better opponents, losing can become all too common.

Dedicating yourself to this sport, as Nicholson has along with countless others, takes courage... And Talent. I think that even at the top, players continue to work on certain aspects of their game, changing this, fixing that, honing the other. All with one aim.... To win.

It's bitterly frustrating to play so well, feeling invincible on the oche and brimming with self confidence to lose all that in the space of 30 minutes. It's a horribly designed rollercoaster. The great times shock us. The bad times leave us disgusted, questioning everything.

I am no darts expert, but an amateur willing to learn. And I learned a lot from the Asset in Blackpool. 

Winning is great. But we learn from defeat. How we use the learning for future our future? Is the difference between darts as a hobby and a profession!

You cant win them all I hear you say. And, Yes, it's just a game. But it's THE game. It's OUR game. 

Image courtesy of  ponsulak/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Meet Aidan

Aidan has been a fan of darts since a young age, although he didn't pick up his first set if arrows until he was 23. In that time, Aidan has been dedicated to finding out what it takes to become a professional. He plays with two club teams in his County in Ireland.

Aidan documents his ups and downs of improving his game, and explores some of the unknown, yet crucial elements of darts such as nerves, confidence and much much more.

Aidan teamed up with the Darts Performance Centre ahead of his battle with Raymond van Barneveld 12 months ago, a relationship which he admits has "helped me to focus on certain areas that needed improvement, and the support from Paul and Andy guarantees will make you a better dart player".

Aidan throws a 23g DPC Elite Performance dart. He loves to tell people that he has now lost count of the amount of 180s he has thrown. His highest checkout in a competitive leg is 130, and the closest he has come to a perfect leg was two maximums before crippling under pressure to finish out with a 15 dart leg.

His plan is simple: to be a Pro! Follow his journey right here!

Aidan welcomes any feedback, advice or questions. You can find him on twitter:

@A_Farrelly or email: throwlikeaprodarts@gmail.com