Darts performance isn’t just mechanics — it’s the interaction between confidence, timing, fine motor control, breathing, and emotional regulation under pressure.
Many darts players throw brilliantly in practice, but performance can change dramatically when the game matters — on stage, in front of others, or even just keeping score in a pub league.
Under pressure, even highly skilled players can experience:
- Dartitis (release disruption or freeze the darts yips)
- Loss of rhythm or timing
- Anxiety at the line
- Shaking or tightness
- Overthinking before release
- Confidence drops after bad legs or visits
- Hesitation or “freezing up”
- Difficulty finishing legs
- Negative self-talk
- Fear of embarrassment or judgement
These issues are not about ability — they are state-driven responses of the nervous system under pressure.
Using a blend of NLP, performance psychology, mind-body coaching, breathwork and adapted hypnotherapy, I help darts players improve consistency, confidence and execution under pressure — including support specifically for dartitis.
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142
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What This Helps With
Darts players come to me for support with:
- Dartitis or darts yips (release blocks or freeze)
- Loss of rhythm / timing
- Stage or league nerves
- Confidence issues
- Fear of judgement
- Emotional swings after mistakes
- Difficulty finishing legs or matches
- Overthinking on the oche
- Negative self-talk and frustration
- Inconsistent scoring under pressure
- Hesitation during release
- Breathing issues (shallow or erratic)
You already know how to throw — this helps you execute when it matters.
Why Performance Breaks Down in Darts
Darts combines three stress factors:
1. Precision + Fine Motor Control
Under pressure, the nervous system may shift into threat-mode, causing:
- Muscle tension
- Shaking
- Rushed or delayed release
- Breathing changes
- Visual narrowing
Which reduces motor precision.
2. Self-Evaluation & Social Pressure
Judgement from others — or imagined judgement — triggers:
- Overthinking
- Hesitation
- Self-criticism
- Fear of missing
- Embarrassment loops
This is a mental load problem, not lack of discipline.
3. Rhythm Disruption
Darts performance depends heavily on:
- Cadence
- Flow
- Breathing
- Release timing
Anxiety disrupts rhythm → rhythm disruption triggers more anxiety → performance drops.
This creates a negative feedback loop that coaching helps break.
The Mental Game in Professional Darts
At the professional level, darts performance is shaped as much by mental control, emotional regulation, and confidence as by technical throwing ability. Under lights, crowd noise, televised pressure, and decisive moments, many players experience anxiety, hesitation, or loss of automatic movement — often referred to as dartitis.
Elite players have openly used mindset coaching, sports psychology, and hypnotherapy to manage pressure and restore fluid performance. Champions such as Glen Durrant and Stephen Bunting have spoken about mental training and hypnosis to rebuild confidence and consistency, while legends like Eric Bristow with getting over his dartitis highlighted how mental blocks — not technique — can disrupt performance at the highest level.
Modern darts mindset coaching focuses on reducing interference, stabilising pre-throw routines, managing anxiety, and restoring trust in automatic movement. When mental pressure is regulated, trained skill can re-emerge — allowing players to throw freely, confidently, and consistently when it matters most.
Dartitis — A Mind-Body Release Block
Dartitis is not a “technique problem”.
It is a motor interruption caused by cognitive overload, threat responses, or subconscious protective patterns.
Common symptoms include:
- Freezing at release
- Interrupted backswing
- Delayed throw
- Involuntary “lock”
- Jerky release
- Inability to let go smoothly
We address dartitis through:
- Breath & arousal regulation
- Subconscious desensitisation
- Pattern interruption techniques
- Identity reframing
- Non-visual hypnotherapy
- Nervous-system retraining
No “visualisation” required — this approach works even for aphantasia (non-visual thinkers).
A Modern, Mind-Body Approach for Darts
🔹 Cognitive Performance (NLP & Psychology)
Improves:
- Self-talk
- Emotional control
- Confidence
- Decision-making
- Post-mistake reset
🔹 Nervous System Regulation
For:
- Shaking
- Release freeze
- Arousal control
- Match-day nerves
- Recovery between throws
🔹 Flow-State Training
For:
- Rhythm
- Timing
- Composure
- Consistency
- Reduced overthinking
🔹 Adapted Hypnotherapy (Non-Visual)
For:
- Subconscious motor patterns
- Dartitis reduction
- Confidence installation
Works without imagery if you don’t visualise.
What Darts Performance Coaching Improves
Players typically notice improvements in:
- Consistency at the line
- Release confidence and performance
- Finishing legs
- Rhythm and timing
- Emotional control
- Composure in front of others
- Recovery after mistakes
- Dartitis symptoms
- Breathing and calm
- Match pressure
This is not mechanical coaching — it is performance for sports & mind-body coaching.
Who This Is For
Suitable for:
- Pub league players
- County and national players
- Tournament competitors
- Stage performers
- Younger developing players
- Recreational players struggling under pressure
And for people preparing for:
- County trials
- Tournaments
- Stage events
- League matches
- Selection events
How Sessions Work
Sessions are:
- one-to-one
- private
- practical
- non-judgemental
- tailored
We focus on:
- mapping performance patterns
- identifying triggers
- reducing overthinking
- strengthening rhythm & timing
- building state control
- integrating new mental models
Locations — Reading, Didcot & Online
Available:
- Reading, Berkshire — Mon–Fri
- Didcot, Oxfordshire — Tuesdays
- Online (UK & International) via Zoom or Teams
Works equally well in person or online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you change throwing technique?
No — this is mental & nervous-system performance training.
Can this help with dartitis?
Yes — especially dartitis driven by tension, fear response or cognitive overload.
Do I need to visualise?
No — all methods work for non-visual thinkers (including aphantasia).
How many sessions will I need?
Many notice improvements in 3–5 sessions.
Next Steps — Improve Your Throw Under Pressure
If you want:
- calmer execution
- smoother release
- reduced dartitis
- better finishing
- improved consistency
- stronger confidence
- fewer nerves
- controlled rhythm
…darts performance coaching can help you get there.
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142