Positive attitude

By Matt Clark

Hello again Dart Fans,

Over the last few months, we have gone over practice routines, fitness regimes, and ways to finish, now it's time for the mental side of things! Darts is very much a mental game and to be on top you have to have a P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude). This really isn't as easy as it sounds. Blanking your mind from all that is going on around you is also a major factor. Combining both of these things is very hard, but also essential for consistent performances! I wish I knew or had the secret formula, but it comes down to your preparation to give yourself the P.M.A., and from that you can build on the focus side of things.If you turn up to a competition and something is troubling you, it's going be an uphill struggle; finding the balance is an art form all of its own. I did some research on what the experts say for P.M.A. and they are all very similar (just Google P.M.A. to find results that may help you), but one of the major factors that they all seem to say is health, fitness and weight control, as I have already said previously, are a very important side!

Since my last tips and hints about fitness, I had the summer off from Pro. Darts and concentrated on weight loss and fitness. The proof as they say is in the results - my first P.D.C. comp. back and wow! A semi-final in Crawley, beating Adrian Lewis (current P.D.C. World Champion) amongst many other top Pros. On the way, it put me in with a big chance for the World Championships myself. Other than a small accident which left me with broken ribs and unable to practice and play for a few weeks, but that's another story!

So as easy as some people may think being a Pro. Darter is, you have to put a lot in to get a lot out; it is a real sport and should be treated like one if you want the results. For me, it's a funny thing, doing these hints and tips I have seen where I have slipped off the rails and re-aligned myself. World watch out next year, that's all I have to say...

Other than that wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year,

Yours in darts,

Matt Clark