Over the last few weeks, I've considered quitting the sport of darts. My performances on Thursdays have been poor, Mondays inconsistent. The only time I really enjoy the game is in practice/messing around and at tournaments. That's why I attend the 2 last weekend and I had a great time. I really believed I could beat the players or at least give them something to worry about (a full write up is available here )
But at the moment, put me in a league match and I suffer despite the players really being no better than what I play at a tournament. I don't know if its preparation, the fact its just me but I'm just not enjoying the game of league darts. Alot of people are trying to tell me its just a blip, a mental obstacle to get over but it seems much more than that.
I have decided to continue Monday nights to keep it ticking over but SuperLeague I will giving up at the end of the season. Looking back over the last 3 years, the problems with my game really started there. It was a rough first season and it had a massive impact on me and my game. I'm not blaming it and I'm not going to make excuses but what I want to do is enjoy the game I dearly love.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Friday, 3 December 2010
Practice and pressure
Some say darts is a mind game. You can be great one minute, appalling the next and no matter how good you feel sometimes the darts just won't go for you.
I've been having some bad runs of form of late. Losing 4 games then I'd get a win, another run of 4 defeats then a win. As comfortable as I feel when on the oche, I just have no confidence in where the darts will go which is obviously a problem. Seems a far cry from the beginning of the season where I won 3-0 with a 73 average. It got to a stage where I suggested to the captain to drop me for a game. He declined. I won 2-0 that night.
My problem has always been my consistency. 1 match summed it up perfectly; 1 st leg it was 60's, 50's all the way down and took about 7 darts to hit the double. Next leg went 96, 100, 125, 100, 80c/o for a 15 darter.
Last night was just all about the throw. Wasn't bothered about winning or losing, just getting confidence back into my game. 1st 3 legs were fairly scrappy but 4th leg missed D20 for 120 c/o & 15 darter (eventually taking it in 17) What pleased me though was that everytime he hit a big score, I didn't panic and when he didn't I seemed to step in and hit a big score myself.
It was just nice to get a win under my belt but I'm more happy with the that I had some confidence my game. "Take your time, relax and aim about an inch above the treble" was the advice I kept getting and it did work. I am due at a tournament next week but I think I may give it a miss until I feel fully confident in my game again.
Lack of practice has played a major part in my loss of form I think. I'm so busy now that even though I play twice a week, I haven't been practicing that much (certainly nothing like I used to) and you just can't expect to win or even play well without practice. Its probably no co-incidence that between Monday and Thursday I got about 3 hours practice in plus another 2 before the game and the darts were going a lot better.
The team results have probably had an impact on my game aswell. Monday nights we have been suffering some heavy defeats (9-0, 8-1) and this was either side of an 8-1 loss at SuperLeague. Monday nights I do feel under more pressure because I know the team look to me to get some points and regard me as one of the best players. Now there are a couple of good players in our side but only 2 of them are being consistent. Myself and the other are just below par at the moment.
I take the game more seriously than anyone in my team as I have probably mentioned in previous blogs. The pressure of fighting for my place I can handle now but the pressure of the team looking to me for points and the fact the team is losing is getting to me. Probably why I get more rattled on a Monday than a Thursday. It just seems selfish to simply play for myself but maybe that's what I need to do. Play for myself and if the team lose, nothing I can do. Maximum number of points I can get is 2 (1 singles, 1 pairs) but only 1 of those do I have full control over, the pairs are a lottery.
So what does all this actually mean for my game? Well I think its all experience. Anyone can ride a wave of good form and enjoy the game when on that run. But its what you do when its not going so well that counts. For me, I've learnt that no amount of practice can guarantee a good game but no practice will guarantee a poor one. I've also learned that I need to ignore expectation, including my own and just throw the dart. The rest takes care of itself
I've been having some bad runs of form of late. Losing 4 games then I'd get a win, another run of 4 defeats then a win. As comfortable as I feel when on the oche, I just have no confidence in where the darts will go which is obviously a problem. Seems a far cry from the beginning of the season where I won 3-0 with a 73 average. It got to a stage where I suggested to the captain to drop me for a game. He declined. I won 2-0 that night.
My problem has always been my consistency. 1 match summed it up perfectly; 1 st leg it was 60's, 50's all the way down and took about 7 darts to hit the double. Next leg went 96, 100, 125, 100, 80c/o for a 15 darter.
Last night was just all about the throw. Wasn't bothered about winning or losing, just getting confidence back into my game. 1st 3 legs were fairly scrappy but 4th leg missed D20 for 120 c/o & 15 darter (eventually taking it in 17) What pleased me though was that everytime he hit a big score, I didn't panic and when he didn't I seemed to step in and hit a big score myself.
It was just nice to get a win under my belt but I'm more happy with the that I had some confidence my game. "Take your time, relax and aim about an inch above the treble" was the advice I kept getting and it did work. I am due at a tournament next week but I think I may give it a miss until I feel fully confident in my game again.
Lack of practice has played a major part in my loss of form I think. I'm so busy now that even though I play twice a week, I haven't been practicing that much (certainly nothing like I used to) and you just can't expect to win or even play well without practice. Its probably no co-incidence that between Monday and Thursday I got about 3 hours practice in plus another 2 before the game and the darts were going a lot better.
The team results have probably had an impact on my game aswell. Monday nights we have been suffering some heavy defeats (9-0, 8-1) and this was either side of an 8-1 loss at SuperLeague. Monday nights I do feel under more pressure because I know the team look to me to get some points and regard me as one of the best players. Now there are a couple of good players in our side but only 2 of them are being consistent. Myself and the other are just below par at the moment.
I take the game more seriously than anyone in my team as I have probably mentioned in previous blogs. The pressure of fighting for my place I can handle now but the pressure of the team looking to me for points and the fact the team is losing is getting to me. Probably why I get more rattled on a Monday than a Thursday. It just seems selfish to simply play for myself but maybe that's what I need to do. Play for myself and if the team lose, nothing I can do. Maximum number of points I can get is 2 (1 singles, 1 pairs) but only 1 of those do I have full control over, the pairs are a lottery.
So what does all this actually mean for my game? Well I think its all experience. Anyone can ride a wave of good form and enjoy the game when on that run. But its what you do when its not going so well that counts. For me, I've learnt that no amount of practice can guarantee a good game but no practice will guarantee a poor one. I've also learned that I need to ignore expectation, including my own and just throw the dart. The rest takes care of itself
Saturday, 13 November 2010
The great conspiracy?
The Grand Slam Of Darts (sponsored by Daily Mirror) kicks off today as 32 players from both the PDC and BDO compete for the title.
Last year the BDO players acquitted themselves very well with Scott Waites making the final, O'Shea only being beaten by Taylor and (if you remove the results of the matches against the women) the BDO winning the battle 10-7 (though it was 10-10 but it depends on which side of the divide you're on) This obviously drags up the usual PDC vs BDO debate but then it doesn't take much.
There are some debutants to this years tournament, most notably Dave Chisnall (BDO World Championship runner-up) but he has a very difficult start against the PDC World Championship runner-up Simon Whitlock. It will be interesting the reaction Chisnall will get from the crowd but as O'Shea showed last year, play it right and you can very quickly get them on your side (take note Mr Hankey - have you learned your lesson from last year?) I'm hoping Mark Hylton has a good tournament but again he has a very difficult start against Gary Anderson. Mark Webster and Wayne Jones also in the group makes it hard but Mark came through the qualifiers so he's shown he can cope. Can he do it on the stage though?
Now, there has been talk about the draw, the high profile games it has thrown up and whether its all been manipulated. Now these comments have mostly come from those who don't usually (if ever) talk about Barry Hearn or the PDC in a positive light in anyway, those who think the PDC can do no right. But lets look at the games it has thrown up for the BDO players and who's ended up in which group:
Hankey vs Taylor - would have been better if Hankey was the reigning BDO World Champion but given the comments of Hankey and everything that happened last year, probably the biggest game of the group stages. Hankey is in a group with the very impressive Wes Newton and the blows-hot-and-cold Michael Van Gerwen. Very difficult for him to get out this group.
Chisnall vs Whitlock - the 2 World Championship runners up. As good a game as any to pit the BDO against the PDC to see who is better. Chisnall has ended up in a group against Colin Osbourne (another player who blows-hot-and-cold) and Robert Thornton. Again, going to be difficult to get out the group but backing Chisnall to beat Thornton and whoever wins between him and Osbourne qualifies.
Tony O'Shea and Justin Pipe: In the same group. Pipe came through the qualifiers so has already played some of the PDC lot. O'Shea is a class act all round. Also in the group is James Wade and Vincent Van de Vort. Wade is in terrific form at the moment so expecting him to qualify top. But Vincent is more than beatable. He can also be a formidable player. Wade and O'Shea to qualify but think Pipe will pick up a win against VdV.
Henderson vs Jenkins: Henderson will fancy his chances here but Jenkins is a very solid player and very experienced. Merv King and Stacy Bromberg make up the group. Henderson stands a decent chance getting out this group as Jenkins can match King. Not expecting much from Stacy unfortunately.
Scott Waites and Martin Phillips: Again in the same group with Adrian Lewis and Co Stompe. This is a really open group. Waites made the semi last year, Phillips made the semi of the BDO World Championships last year, Lewis and Stompe are very solid players. Lewis is favourite to go through, Stompe is very solid but if Waites can beat Stompe then it's anyones.
Darryl Fitton vs Colin Lloyd. Fitton can win this one, no doubts at all. Lloyd is solid but hasn't really found the form when he was the World number 1 for a while. Also in the group is Barney and Tricia Wright. Barney is win the group, Wright to finish bottom so the final qualifier could well be whoever wins this first game.
Ok, those are just my thoughts. Now here's the thing. The only possible "evidence" to say the draw has been manipulated is that Hankey & Taylor got the same group. The other BDO players have got tough groups but so they should. They're now up against some of the best players in the world, you're not going to get that many easy games if any. Chisnall and Hankey could feel a little hard done by but someone had to get Taylor. It just an added kicker that Wes Newton is in the draw but Hankey is a crowd pleaser in terms of he gets them going. Think the longer he stays the better for the tournament. Its not beyond the realms of possibility Chisnall gets out his group as I've illustrated. Great chance for him to show his great performance in the BDO Worlds was no one-off.
The tournament is heavily favored to the PDC but it's a PDC run tournament, you'd expect that. Its not an ideal set up the GSoD in this respect however at least the PDC have done something. Don't see the BDO inviting PDC players to their official tournaments or even setting one up so they can.
Ultimately though, this is about Darts. These guys love the sport no matter where they play. They won't see it as BDO vs PDC. That is all for the fans and the hype. ITV4 have the coverage and they have been excellent the last couple of years. Just glad to see some more darts on the TV.
Best of order please. Game on!!
Last year the BDO players acquitted themselves very well with Scott Waites making the final, O'Shea only being beaten by Taylor and (if you remove the results of the matches against the women) the BDO winning the battle 10-7 (though it was 10-10 but it depends on which side of the divide you're on) This obviously drags up the usual PDC vs BDO debate but then it doesn't take much.
There are some debutants to this years tournament, most notably Dave Chisnall (BDO World Championship runner-up) but he has a very difficult start against the PDC World Championship runner-up Simon Whitlock. It will be interesting the reaction Chisnall will get from the crowd but as O'Shea showed last year, play it right and you can very quickly get them on your side (take note Mr Hankey - have you learned your lesson from last year?) I'm hoping Mark Hylton has a good tournament but again he has a very difficult start against Gary Anderson. Mark Webster and Wayne Jones also in the group makes it hard but Mark came through the qualifiers so he's shown he can cope. Can he do it on the stage though?
Now, there has been talk about the draw, the high profile games it has thrown up and whether its all been manipulated. Now these comments have mostly come from those who don't usually (if ever) talk about Barry Hearn or the PDC in a positive light in anyway, those who think the PDC can do no right. But lets look at the games it has thrown up for the BDO players and who's ended up in which group:
Hankey vs Taylor - would have been better if Hankey was the reigning BDO World Champion but given the comments of Hankey and everything that happened last year, probably the biggest game of the group stages. Hankey is in a group with the very impressive Wes Newton and the blows-hot-and-cold Michael Van Gerwen. Very difficult for him to get out this group.
Chisnall vs Whitlock - the 2 World Championship runners up. As good a game as any to pit the BDO against the PDC to see who is better. Chisnall has ended up in a group against Colin Osbourne (another player who blows-hot-and-cold) and Robert Thornton. Again, going to be difficult to get out the group but backing Chisnall to beat Thornton and whoever wins between him and Osbourne qualifies.
Tony O'Shea and Justin Pipe: In the same group. Pipe came through the qualifiers so has already played some of the PDC lot. O'Shea is a class act all round. Also in the group is James Wade and Vincent Van de Vort. Wade is in terrific form at the moment so expecting him to qualify top. But Vincent is more than beatable. He can also be a formidable player. Wade and O'Shea to qualify but think Pipe will pick up a win against VdV.
Henderson vs Jenkins: Henderson will fancy his chances here but Jenkins is a very solid player and very experienced. Merv King and Stacy Bromberg make up the group. Henderson stands a decent chance getting out this group as Jenkins can match King. Not expecting much from Stacy unfortunately.
Scott Waites and Martin Phillips: Again in the same group with Adrian Lewis and Co Stompe. This is a really open group. Waites made the semi last year, Phillips made the semi of the BDO World Championships last year, Lewis and Stompe are very solid players. Lewis is favourite to go through, Stompe is very solid but if Waites can beat Stompe then it's anyones.
Darryl Fitton vs Colin Lloyd. Fitton can win this one, no doubts at all. Lloyd is solid but hasn't really found the form when he was the World number 1 for a while. Also in the group is Barney and Tricia Wright. Barney is win the group, Wright to finish bottom so the final qualifier could well be whoever wins this first game.
Ok, those are just my thoughts. Now here's the thing. The only possible "evidence" to say the draw has been manipulated is that Hankey & Taylor got the same group. The other BDO players have got tough groups but so they should. They're now up against some of the best players in the world, you're not going to get that many easy games if any. Chisnall and Hankey could feel a little hard done by but someone had to get Taylor. It just an added kicker that Wes Newton is in the draw but Hankey is a crowd pleaser in terms of he gets them going. Think the longer he stays the better for the tournament. Its not beyond the realms of possibility Chisnall gets out his group as I've illustrated. Great chance for him to show his great performance in the BDO Worlds was no one-off.
The tournament is heavily favored to the PDC but it's a PDC run tournament, you'd expect that. Its not an ideal set up the GSoD in this respect however at least the PDC have done something. Don't see the BDO inviting PDC players to their official tournaments or even setting one up so they can.
Ultimately though, this is about Darts. These guys love the sport no matter where they play. They won't see it as BDO vs PDC. That is all for the fans and the hype. ITV4 have the coverage and they have been excellent the last couple of years. Just glad to see some more darts on the TV.
Best of order please. Game on!!
Monday, 30 August 2010
Pros and the rest of us
This weekend just gone (28th/29th August) was the Doublefinish.com Open. Not a huge field but alot of quality there; Deta Hedman, Dennis Smith, Steve Bunting, Peter Wright, Kevin Simms to name a few who were in attendance. There were 2 tournaments that weekend and I got tough draws in both; Deta Hedman on the Saturday and Dennis Smith on the Sunday - both first round draws. Lost 4-2 to Deta and 4-1 to Dennis. Felt I played as well as I have done in competition for a while. My finishing against Deta was a particular highlight for me (2 darts, 2 doubles - 80 c/o and 92 c/o and I also hit a 180) It was great playing against players of this caliber and I was just happy not to have disgraced myself.
But this brings up the differing mentality of players and their respective standards. Deta and Dennis, whilst would not have taken the game lightly, would have been thinking they would win. Me, whilst not out to lose, has to have some perspective. I could give them a good game (and I felt I did) but would have had to go some to beat them. Am I beat before I even throw a dart? Definitely not. One thing that got said to me by a player seemed very counter intuitive but does make sense on one level. I'd lost a game but played well and enjoyed it. He asked me if I enjoyed the game, I replied "Yes, despite the fact I lost I enjoyed it" He said to me;
"That's where you're going wrong. You didn't enjoy it despite you lost, you enjoyed it because you lost"
It's taken me a long time to get my head round this and I'm still struggling a little with it. I think it's about just enjoying the game regardless. I have had alot of first round exits recently but I'm enjoying just playing the game. Do I want to get past the first round? Of course I do. Is it getting to me? A little though I've played some excellent players and I feel I'm definitely improving. Whilst I am not there to lose, I'm there to enjoy the game. So how does this differ from the professionals?
I think it boils down to standards and knowledge of those standards. When Dennis and Deta played, they both knew it would be a tough game because they know they other is a very good player and their achievements but they also know how they can play. Despite that though, they both play because they enjoy it. To me, there seems to be a fine line between just playing to enjoy it and going into match thinking you will win. Thinking you will win can add additional pressure. But some will argue semantics. What is the difference between knowledge and belief in this context?
Some would say if I went into the game believing I would win is arrogance and delusion given the opposition but is taken as a standard mentality for pro's or those regarded as top quality. Is this what makes the likes of Taylor, Whitlock, King, Wade so immense? Is it just quality that stops the likes of Bunting, Simms, Wright, et al from pushing into the elite and getting that elusive World Title? How good do you actually have to be before believing you will win is accepted?
But this brings up the differing mentality of players and their respective standards. Deta and Dennis, whilst would not have taken the game lightly, would have been thinking they would win. Me, whilst not out to lose, has to have some perspective. I could give them a good game (and I felt I did) but would have had to go some to beat them. Am I beat before I even throw a dart? Definitely not. One thing that got said to me by a player seemed very counter intuitive but does make sense on one level. I'd lost a game but played well and enjoyed it. He asked me if I enjoyed the game, I replied "Yes, despite the fact I lost I enjoyed it" He said to me;
"That's where you're going wrong. You didn't enjoy it despite you lost, you enjoyed it because you lost"
It's taken me a long time to get my head round this and I'm still struggling a little with it. I think it's about just enjoying the game regardless. I have had alot of first round exits recently but I'm enjoying just playing the game. Do I want to get past the first round? Of course I do. Is it getting to me? A little though I've played some excellent players and I feel I'm definitely improving. Whilst I am not there to lose, I'm there to enjoy the game. So how does this differ from the professionals?
I think it boils down to standards and knowledge of those standards. When Dennis and Deta played, they both knew it would be a tough game because they know they other is a very good player and their achievements but they also know how they can play. Despite that though, they both play because they enjoy it. To me, there seems to be a fine line between just playing to enjoy it and going into match thinking you will win. Thinking you will win can add additional pressure. But some will argue semantics. What is the difference between knowledge and belief in this context?
Some would say if I went into the game believing I would win is arrogance and delusion given the opposition but is taken as a standard mentality for pro's or those regarded as top quality. Is this what makes the likes of Taylor, Whitlock, King, Wade so immense? Is it just quality that stops the likes of Bunting, Simms, Wright, et al from pushing into the elite and getting that elusive World Title? How good do you actually have to be before believing you will win is accepted?
Monday, 5 July 2010
Part-y time?
John Part has shown why he is a 3 time world champion and why he infuriates darts fans by winning the North American Darts Championship. To me the guy is quality, steady and when he gets that swagger going, you know he's happy and his darts are devastating. There was a time where he was regarded as the only player to give Taylor a game. He is not a player people relish playing but his consistency has always raised question marks over his standing in the game.
You don't win 3 World Championships by being poor but critics of John will point that 2 of those were virtually handed to him. Beating a handy capped Bobby George in the first tournament after the split then beating Kirk Shephard who must have used every lucky charm in the book to get to the final. The one that cannot be disputed however is his 2003 triumph over Phil Taylor to become only the 2nd player to beat Taylor in a PDC World Final since its inception and ending Taylors 8 year reign as World Champion. Part showed that when he can string performances together, he is a match for anyone and can handle the pressure. He had a 3 set lead over Taylor but Taylor rampaged the next 4 to go from 4-1 down to 5-4 up. Part showed his mental bottle by going 6-5 up and even when Taylor levelled, Part never buckled. Going to 2-0 up in the final set then cooly taking out 77 for the victory.
Part always seems to get bit homesick and frequently travels home to Canada between tournaments. This really doesn't do him any favors and is taking its toll as erratic performances against Mark Webster and Kirk Shephard have recently illustrated. Some will argue that he was able to put in a great performance in the North American Champs as its pretty much on his door step but that doesn't argue against the point that Part is a quality player. Whether he has the drive to re-establish himself in in the top 16 (well 32 for starters) is open for debate however as is whether he can biuld on this recent (and much needed) success.
There is an argument that he has possibly under-achieved in the game but his achivements are on par with Dennis Priestley and there's a man many have huge respect for and wouldn't say he under-achieved. Making 5 finals in 7 years (winning 1) is a great achivement, the PDC was still in its infancy and whilst the quality was higher in terms of them all being former World Champions, it was still a significantly smaller field.
As stated earlier, people question the "validity" of 2 of Parts world titles but you can only beat
what is in front of you and Part has done that on the biggest stage in World Darts 3 times including beating the best player on the planet ever. You cannot take that away from him. As much as I like Part as a player, he won't be ranked up with Lowe, Bristow, Taylor, Anderson et al (no, not Adams) but he definitely be there or there abouts with Priestley.
Form is tempoary, class is permanent - is Part about to show the world his again?
You don't win 3 World Championships by being poor but critics of John will point that 2 of those were virtually handed to him. Beating a handy capped Bobby George in the first tournament after the split then beating Kirk Shephard who must have used every lucky charm in the book to get to the final. The one that cannot be disputed however is his 2003 triumph over Phil Taylor to become only the 2nd player to beat Taylor in a PDC World Final since its inception and ending Taylors 8 year reign as World Champion. Part showed that when he can string performances together, he is a match for anyone and can handle the pressure. He had a 3 set lead over Taylor but Taylor rampaged the next 4 to go from 4-1 down to 5-4 up. Part showed his mental bottle by going 6-5 up and even when Taylor levelled, Part never buckled. Going to 2-0 up in the final set then cooly taking out 77 for the victory.
Part always seems to get bit homesick and frequently travels home to Canada between tournaments. This really doesn't do him any favors and is taking its toll as erratic performances against Mark Webster and Kirk Shephard have recently illustrated. Some will argue that he was able to put in a great performance in the North American Champs as its pretty much on his door step but that doesn't argue against the point that Part is a quality player. Whether he has the drive to re-establish himself in in the top 16 (well 32 for starters) is open for debate however as is whether he can biuld on this recent (and much needed) success.
There is an argument that he has possibly under-achieved in the game but his achivements are on par with Dennis Priestley and there's a man many have huge respect for and wouldn't say he under-achieved. Making 5 finals in 7 years (winning 1) is a great achivement, the PDC was still in its infancy and whilst the quality was higher in terms of them all being former World Champions, it was still a significantly smaller field.
As stated earlier, people question the "validity" of 2 of Parts world titles but you can only beat
what is in front of you and Part has done that on the biggest stage in World Darts 3 times including beating the best player on the planet ever. You cannot take that away from him. As much as I like Part as a player, he won't be ranked up with Lowe, Bristow, Taylor, Anderson et al (no, not Adams) but he definitely be there or there abouts with Priestley.
Form is tempoary, class is permanent - is Part about to show the world his again?
Friday, 4 June 2010
Gossip is not just for women
Last night, the story that a player had been arrested at the UK Open spread around multiple darts forums. Users close to people in Bolton confirmed that it was Chris Mason. No reason was given but people were in contact with Lorna (Chris's wife) Those that weren't speculated as to what happened with drugs seeming to be the "popular theory" This has been shown to not be the case but the real reasons remain unknown at this time.
Gossiping is human nature, it's partly why forums exist. I blogged a while back on the clamour for news on what sports stars are up to and the incident with Chris just re-inforces it. Is speculation wrong though? People are going to be interested in what's happened and there's going to be rumours but peoples attitudes to it were interesting. Saying "rumor is that is was drugs but this is un-confirmed" is a far cry from saying "it definitely was drugs" Browsing through some of the different forums that were discussing it, all had picked up on the drugs rumor and nearly all had posters highlighting how absurd that was. The over whelming feeling was Chris is not that kind of guy. Some were very passionate in their defense of Chris but unfortunately for Chris, some only see his past and will assume any negative rumor to be true. But it was generating discussion because people are fans of the sport.
I don't believe speculating is wrong but you have to be clear that's what it is. I don't believe you can dampen it but that is the choice of the forum owners. A few mods on a forum were not happy it being discussed but I have nothing against it. Humans love to gossip and it isn't just the women, sports fans are probably just as bad. In this case, a story gets out that a player is arrested the first question is Why? and that leads to discussion/speculation. I've said so many times already and I will say it again - that's the point of a forum (among others)
The main problem people have with speculation is the gullibility of some. They will believe anything they read on the internet and be selective about it aswell. To use my earlier example, what is written is "rumor is that is was drugs but this is un-confirmed", they see "Chris Mason does drugs" and then that gets all over the internet. That's not really the forums fault though but the threat of legal action is always an issue. There's a larger argument over freedom of speech on forums but that's for another time.
If I was Chris Mason I'd look at the amount of support given during the incident but players need to accept that anything that happens may get leaked and will get discussed such is the nature of the internet and forums. They may not like it being discussed but we're not camping outside their home trying to get pictures. It's a small but distinct difference.
Gossiping is human nature, it's partly why forums exist. I blogged a while back on the clamour for news on what sports stars are up to and the incident with Chris just re-inforces it. Is speculation wrong though? People are going to be interested in what's happened and there's going to be rumours but peoples attitudes to it were interesting. Saying "rumor is that is was drugs but this is un-confirmed" is a far cry from saying "it definitely was drugs" Browsing through some of the different forums that were discussing it, all had picked up on the drugs rumor and nearly all had posters highlighting how absurd that was. The over whelming feeling was Chris is not that kind of guy. Some were very passionate in their defense of Chris but unfortunately for Chris, some only see his past and will assume any negative rumor to be true. But it was generating discussion because people are fans of the sport.
I don't believe speculating is wrong but you have to be clear that's what it is. I don't believe you can dampen it but that is the choice of the forum owners. A few mods on a forum were not happy it being discussed but I have nothing against it. Humans love to gossip and it isn't just the women, sports fans are probably just as bad. In this case, a story gets out that a player is arrested the first question is Why? and that leads to discussion/speculation. I've said so many times already and I will say it again - that's the point of a forum (among others)
The main problem people have with speculation is the gullibility of some. They will believe anything they read on the internet and be selective about it aswell. To use my earlier example, what is written is "rumor is that is was drugs but this is un-confirmed", they see "Chris Mason does drugs" and then that gets all over the internet. That's not really the forums fault though but the threat of legal action is always an issue. There's a larger argument over freedom of speech on forums but that's for another time.
If I was Chris Mason I'd look at the amount of support given during the incident but players need to accept that anything that happens may get leaked and will get discussed such is the nature of the internet and forums. They may not like it being discussed but we're not camping outside their home trying to get pictures. It's a small but distinct difference.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Stay or Go
In case anyone wasn't aware, I won my local pubs darts knockout tournament last night (yes, I'm still chuffed to bits about it) I was runner up last year and this year I went one step further beating the 2 best players in the team along the way. House champion - nice ring to it.
For the last couple of months, I have been the subject of discussion regarding where I will be playing my darts next season. It seems pretty unanimous to the team that I will be leaving and I will playing for The Cross Keys next season. Even the landlady thinks I'm leaving when she said "Oh I thought you were going to the Keys next season"
A couple of things have contributed to the rise of this rumour; I practice in there often, I play with most of their team in the SuperLeague, I'm regarded as 1 of the best players by my team (I still think I'm a little behind a couple) I take the game more seriously than anyone on the team, I openly admit I want to improve my game. Given human nature to gossip, I can see why they seem convinced I'm leaving. I know that it's not just my team who I think I'm leaving based on comments from other people.
The team seem to have been planning life without me next season with a few people rumoured to be joining the team. If I left, there would be no animosity as they know it would be to improve my darts not to go glory hunting. The Keys did win the league last season, runner up this season. But do I want to be fighting for my place all the time? I have to in the SuperLeague and I expect to given the standard of the players. If I did join the Keys, I am good enough to be competitive and give myself a great chance of being picked. I know that I may not get a singles game but I should at least get a game. Having to fight in theory should make you a better player - and I want to be a better player - but there are reasons to stay.
I've enjoyed taking on the captains role. It has added pressure but I think it has focused me a little more. Fighting for your place may improve you but so does playing regularly and I get that where I am. Leaving would only change 2 fixtures as I would be playing the same teams anyway. There's no guarantee the Keys want me. These new players rumoured to come in are very good players so it would strengthen the team and increase competition anyway. Even if they don't join us, the team is still pretty good to be competitive, we lost alot of games 5-4 this season. Can still win the Singles tournament no matter who I play for.
I love the game and there is a risk of increasing the pressure to fight for my place may reduce that. Last year when I was really struggling for form I lost all enjoyment of it and I don't want that to happen again. I like the idea of just turning up knowing I will get a singles game and if I play well, a doubles game aswell and that's even if I wasn't captain. The only pressure comes from what I put on myself. I have tournaments to play in to play better players and get used to the pressure of that. Having 1 aspect where that isn't there could be very important to becoming better - enjoyment will lead to having motivation to practice more.
Next week is the finals of the 5 a side and 7 a side tournaments. We are in both and I'm confident with a full strength side, we will do well especially in the 5's. This is my main focus at the moment, to deliver some silverware for the team. We came runners up in the 7's last year (didn't qualify for the 5's) and I'd love to go 1 better for the team. The Cross Keys will be in the 7's (they won it last year) so something may get said then regarding whether they would like me to sign for them.
So it all boils down to 1 simple question, stay or go?
For the last couple of months, I have been the subject of discussion regarding where I will be playing my darts next season. It seems pretty unanimous to the team that I will be leaving and I will playing for The Cross Keys next season. Even the landlady thinks I'm leaving when she said "Oh I thought you were going to the Keys next season"
A couple of things have contributed to the rise of this rumour; I practice in there often, I play with most of their team in the SuperLeague, I'm regarded as 1 of the best players by my team (I still think I'm a little behind a couple) I take the game more seriously than anyone on the team, I openly admit I want to improve my game. Given human nature to gossip, I can see why they seem convinced I'm leaving. I know that it's not just my team who I think I'm leaving based on comments from other people.
The team seem to have been planning life without me next season with a few people rumoured to be joining the team. If I left, there would be no animosity as they know it would be to improve my darts not to go glory hunting. The Keys did win the league last season, runner up this season. But do I want to be fighting for my place all the time? I have to in the SuperLeague and I expect to given the standard of the players. If I did join the Keys, I am good enough to be competitive and give myself a great chance of being picked. I know that I may not get a singles game but I should at least get a game. Having to fight in theory should make you a better player - and I want to be a better player - but there are reasons to stay.
I've enjoyed taking on the captains role. It has added pressure but I think it has focused me a little more. Fighting for your place may improve you but so does playing regularly and I get that where I am. Leaving would only change 2 fixtures as I would be playing the same teams anyway. There's no guarantee the Keys want me. These new players rumoured to come in are very good players so it would strengthen the team and increase competition anyway. Even if they don't join us, the team is still pretty good to be competitive, we lost alot of games 5-4 this season. Can still win the Singles tournament no matter who I play for.
I love the game and there is a risk of increasing the pressure to fight for my place may reduce that. Last year when I was really struggling for form I lost all enjoyment of it and I don't want that to happen again. I like the idea of just turning up knowing I will get a singles game and if I play well, a doubles game aswell and that's even if I wasn't captain. The only pressure comes from what I put on myself. I have tournaments to play in to play better players and get used to the pressure of that. Having 1 aspect where that isn't there could be very important to becoming better - enjoyment will lead to having motivation to practice more.
Next week is the finals of the 5 a side and 7 a side tournaments. We are in both and I'm confident with a full strength side, we will do well especially in the 5's. This is my main focus at the moment, to deliver some silverware for the team. We came runners up in the 7's last year (didn't qualify for the 5's) and I'd love to go 1 better for the team. The Cross Keys will be in the 7's (they won it last year) so something may get said then regarding whether they would like me to sign for them.
So it all boils down to 1 simple question, stay or go?
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