The last article dealt with practice strategies for the cricket game. Many of the same skills acquired through those practice routines can also be used for the "01" or Standard game. In this article we will focus on the different skills and strategies that may be employed for all 01 games. I’ve heard many people say that cricket is a more difficult game than 01, since you have to think through your strategy constantly. Although cricket requires you to respond to both the game and your opponent, I believe that there are many more physical and technical skills required to play 01, which are not as apparent because it takes most players many shots to hit finishing doubles. For instance, in all 01 games you have to be able to hit the same number multiple times (20s or 19s usually), you must be able to hit any single wedge, and you must be able to hit most any double on the board. In addition, good players are strategizing with each dart from about 300 points downward. Part of this strategizing includes shot selection, giving the shooter beneficial misses, like shooting at the odd and even wedges. Playing cricket you may move from number to number but in 01 all parts of the board are used and any shot hitting the scoring area counts; to your benefit or not.

I’ve noticed that most folks just focus on hitting twenties, deciding what out-shot sequence to shoot, or making doubles. There is much more to winning in this game. For example, there are many times that your need to hit a non-cricket triple to set up an out-shot (for example: trip 14, double 16 to take out 74; or trip 10, double 18 to take out 66 with 2 darts). The 01 games require important examination of what to throw in order to save darts (ending the game in the fewest darts possible). You’ve got to be able to hit triple and single shot combinations to set up double out shots. There are many skills needed, so there may be many opportunities to improve aspects of these games.

One great player in our league, Bob Barbosa, told me that it is extremely important to hit singles in many out-shot situations. There are times you must hit a single, not a triple or a double, to set up your double-out. He practices by throwing at each wedge on the board, beginning with 1, shooting sequentially through 20, and ending with the Bull, then counting how many darts it took. His goal is always 26 darts or less. This may sound easy, but try it sometime. I have used a similar practice game to work on singles, triples and doubles. The game is similar to "Around The World." I start with 1 through 20 and bull, shooting for singles. The trick is that you must hit 3 singles in a row on the same number before moving to the next number. Triples and doubles do not count. When finished, I move the opposite direction, from Bull to 20 through 1, shooting at triples. Only one of each triple must be scored before moving to the next number. Finally, I return to 1 through 20 and Bull on the doubles. Again, only one double of each number is required.

Work on scoring by throwing at your preferred number (20s or 19s) in each practice session. My favorite routine for this is shooting 100 20s (100 dart hits), and counting the number of darts it takes to do so. I also keep track of the number of triples hit. After you have practice this one time, you can calculate you percentage of hits by dividing 100 by the total number of throws you took. The same can be done with your triple percentage. Then you can set goals for each practice session. My goals are 80% or better for 20s and 33% or better for triple 20s.

Many people have told me that they seem to be able to hit doubles, etc. in practice, but when game time comes around they can’t buy one. Pressure and anxiety create a different throwing experience for most people. The following strategies can help. I read an interview article of Peter Everson, one of the best players in the PDC today. He said that he gets ready for tournaments by creating pressure in his practice. For instance, before a tournament he plays a game, shooting 1 dart at each double, beginning with 1 through 20 and Bull. He only shoots one dart at each double. For each double missed, he must shoot at them on the next turn until hit. For example, on the first round he shoots at double 1, 2, and 3, hitting double 2. On the next round he starts with double 1, 3, 4. This continues until each double has been hit. After finishing, he shoots at each double, beginning with 1 through 20 and Bull, and must hit 2 out of 3 darts on each number double before moving to the next. Both of these practice games create psychological pressure.

In my last article I explained how I like to create practice routines that mimic a real game situation. When I have trouble in a game or match, I analyze my performance to see if there were skills I need to improve. Then I create a practice situation that is like the problem area I need to improve. In 01, I developed a practice procedure like a real game. The object is to shoot one dart, at a scoring number, then shoot at a double. In a real game you must set up each double-out situation before you can shoot at the double. I begin by shoot at the triple 20. If I hit the triple or a single, then I can shoot 1 dart at the double 1. If I miss the 20, I must shoot at the triple 19, hitting either a triple or a single; then shoot at the double 1. Only one shot can be taken for each double. Once the double is scored, advance to the next triple and double out number. This game puts pressure on you to hit set-up shots and doubles. You’re using every number on the board and shooting at every double.

One of my favorite warm up games can be played with one or more players. I call it 170 out. The object is to constantly be shooting at a 3 dart out situation. You begin with 170 points, and shoot 3 darts to set-up an out shot and double out. If you do not double out, you (individual practice) or the next player (multiple players) will try to take out the remaining score with three darts. If you finish the double with less than 3 darts, you reset the score to 170 and shoot your remaining darts. You can continue this game as long as you want. It helps because you concentrate on what you need to finish, rather than anything else. It is also beneficial because you must think about what to do with 1 or 2 darts if you cannot double out (for example, you have 2 darts left and the score is 103, do you shoot at 20s, 19s, 17s to set-up the final double shot?). THINK ABOUT IT!

All The Best,

Charles Bradish