Dartitis: The Mental Battle that Affects Professional Darts Players
At first glance, Darts is a sport that might appear to just be a simple game of skills and precision, but the mental aspect of the game is incredibly crucial to success. Professional darts players are not only required to have physical accuracy but must also possess remarkable focus, concentration, and mental resilience.
However, there is one ailment that can strike even the most experienced players, disrupting their ability to throw effectively: Dartitis.
What is Dartitis?
Dartitis is a psychological condition that affects a player’s ability to throw a dart accurately. It is a mental block that disrupts the natural throwing motion, leading to an inability to release the dart properly. Players who suffer from Dartitis often experience a ‘freeze’ during their throw, where their muscles tighten and they can struggle or fail to let go of the dart.
Some may only experience a slight hesitation in their throwing motion, while other players might find it impossible to throw the dart at all with the hand involuntarily trembling or stiffening up. This can be compared to the ‘yips’ in golf, where the player loses control of their swing or putt due to a mental block.
The Psychological Toll
Dartitis is primarily a mental issue, and it can be incredibly frustrating for a professional player. Darts requires a high level of focus and consistency, and when players experience dartitis, they often lose confidence in their ability to perform. For a professional darts player, where precision is everything, the inability to throw accurately can be mentally debilitating.
Many players report feeling an intense sense of shame and embarrassment when they struggle with dartitis, especially in front of large audiences. This can lead to heightened anxiety, which further exacerbates the condition. The mental toll can cause a player to lose self-belief, further deepening the issue.
How Dartitis Affects Professional Players
Dartitis can have a significant impact on a professional darts player's career. As one of the most mentally demanding sports, darts players are expected to maintain high levels of performance under pressure. Players suffering from dartitis may find themselves unable to compete at their usual level, which can lead to poor results and even early exits from major tournaments.
The condition also takes a toll on the player's reputation. For professionals who rely on consistent performance to maintain sponsorships and public support, dartitis can be career-threatening.
Examples of Players Who Have Suffered from Dartitis
There have been several high-profile darts players who have publicly struggled with dartitis, as you can see from the crowd or the sofa. This highlights the extent of the condition that it can even affect the most talented of individuals.
Berry Van Peer – In the 2017 Grand Slam of Darts, van Peer’s struggle with the condition was visible in matches against Simon Whitlock, Gary Anderson and Cameron Menzies, which led to him becoming very emotional on stage at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall, which was difficult to watch him struggle in how to throw the darts
Nathan Aspinall – Aspinall first saw his struggles with dartitis in 2023 during a Premier League match against Peter Wright, where he unfortunately blew a 4-0 lead. Nathan has been very open with his struggle with dartitis which he described as the ‘fear of missing’. He has said he has since spoken to sports psychologists to come up with techniques to help overcome the condition and he has slowly been getting back to form as he won the World Matchplay just a few months late.
Dealing with Dartitis
Overcoming dartitis is not easy, and it often requires significant mental effort. Many players seek psychological support from sports psychologists to help address the mental barriers causing the condition. Techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and relaxation exercises have been used to help players regain control of their throwing motion and reduce performance anxiety.
In some cases, players may take breaks from competitive play to focus on rebuilding their confidence and rediscovering their natural throwing rhythm. It's a delicate process that requires patience, as recovery from dartitis is not guaranteed. However, many players who have faced dartitis in the past have managed to return to the sport and find success once again, often with a renewed focus on mental resilience.
Conclusion
Dartitis is a condition that highlights the immense psychological pressure faced by professional darts players. While the sport may seem simple, the mental toll can be significant, and dartitis serves as a reminder that even the most skilled players are not immune to the challenges of the mind. As awareness of dartitis grows, it is hoped that more resources will be provided to players to help them overcome the condition and continue to thrive in one of the most demanding sports in the world.