Player interview - Alan Chau

1. Your play-style

　Stance:

Stand on a position that is the most relax to you. Lean slightly forward to a comfortable position. (Do not over-lean)

　Grip:

Gripping is very personalized. Everyone got their own gripping style. However, to have a more balanced dart flight path, it is advisable to grip at the balancing point of the dart. (Balance your dart using your index finger. Next, position your thumb at that balancing point). Lastly, grip firmly. (Light gripping will result in the dart flying out before it actually reaches your releasing point resulting the dart to fly high or loop. Hard gripping will normally result in late release and the dart will land below the intended target)

　Throwing:

Throw the dart by using the wrist instead of using the strength of the forearm. Fully extend the arm (Full stroke, the arm should be in a straight line and not have an angle at the elbow area). In this way, a more consistency can be achieved. While executing the throw, also keep your hand in the direction of the target (The hand should be in line with the target after the throw). In this way, the dart will be straight and not landing on the either side of the target.

　Aiming:

Position the dart at a point where it is in line with the aiming eye and the target. Look at the dart flight path until it landed on the board. Do not blink your eye. A lot of players have the habit of blinking the eyes as the dart is flying out of their hand.

　What are the steps you do when you approach the throwline?

Each round is a new round. Cherish every dart in every round. You cannot take back after you had thrown a bad dart out, but you can always make good use of the remaining darts in your hand. 1 game at a time, 1 round at a time and 1 dart at a time. In short, you just have to learn how to thrown a good dart once and then you keep repeating that action.

2. Your practice focus point (stance, grip, throwing etc.)

Basic fundamental (Stance, grip, aiming & stroke) is very important. Thus during practice I try to keep doing the correct way so that it will become a habit. If you can’t do it in practice, you won’t be able to do it in a competitive game.

3.What will be your advice for C-flight, B-flight, A-flight player?

C flight – It’s the beginning of the dart journey. Basic fundamental is very important. Stroke is especially important at this stage. If the player doesn’t practice the correct way, it will develop into a bad habit and subsequently he/she will face some problem in the future which will hinder the progression of the player.

B flight – This is the intermediate stage where the player had mastered the basic fundamental and it’s time to learn the counting, setting up (01 game) and strategy (Cricket game).

A flight – At this stage, it is a very psychological / mental game. Everyone can play well and the difference between 2 players is the consistency (It’s not about how many you hit, it’s about how less you missed), self-belief (Confidence), composure and guts. Having the belief in yourself and throw like how you practice without having to worry about how your opponent play. Having fear for your opponent and half the better is lost.

4.The key to win competitions and the way to overcome the feeling of tension

The key to winning is you have to win yourself (Meaning that you have to play your best and do what you practice). Different players have different ways of overcoming tension. First of all, you have to be confident in yourself so that you won’t feel so much of the tension if you are hitting the target and that makes you enjoying throwing every shots. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself by thinking of “Wanting to win too much”. If a player starts to think that way, he/she will definitely feel the tension. Every time I go into a competition, I never think of winning first. The only thing in my mind is play my standard and see what happens next. Remember, 1 game at a time.

5. Do you have something to tell readers??

Practice good darts ethics and sportsmanship. Without that, no one will respect you no matter how good you can play.