Dartitis: The Dart Disease
This word can send a chill to the spine of a dart player. It can seriously hinder the performance of players of all levels. Dartitis is a complication that has afflicted some of the most prominent professional players of the past as well as the present, and prevented players from enjoying their preferred game. However, it can be a problem for any darts player anytime.
The blog Darts Corner provides a more in-depth look at what causes dartitis and the causes of dartitis and also examining several of the famous players who have suffered from this condition throughout the years. We will also examine the various ways that players have attempted to remove dartitis from their sport and give suggestions to beat the darts illness.
Dartitis, then, is it really that?
Dartitis is a condition of anxiety that prevents players from releasing a dart in the appropriate time when throwing. Dartitis is also the term as defined by Oxford English Dictionary and it is often compared with the ‘yips’ of other sports such as golf and tennis.
It could result in the performance of a player being severely impaired as they are not able to carry out the basic tasks in their chosen sport like serving or putting or, when it comes to darts throwing. Dartitis is the term first used by the publication Darts Worldby the Editor Tony Wood in 1981. He defined dartitis as a condition where players are unable to properly release a dart.
Check out this video to listen to the former sports psychologist and women’s dart champion the Dr Linda Duffy give her view on dartitis.
Fact or myth: Is dartitis a real thing?
There is some doubt in the darting community as well as the sports world regarding the validity of dartitis. Some people believe that dartitis is a type of dystonia, the term used to describe muscles that are not controlled and can cause pain. movements that may affect the entire body or specific parts of the body.
Dartitis research is ongoing and its causes and causes, this is the closest medical diagnosis of the disease. The research on the subject is ongoing for a long time, but there isn’t any definitive conclusion on the cause of dartitis and the treatments players can take to eliminate the condition.
The Symptoms: What is dartitis feel and look like?
The most commonly reported symptoms of dartitis are muscle spasms that are uncontrollable or cramps, as well as muscles pain. The symptoms may cause an emotional block while throwing and a pause to release the dart. The self-doubt eventually leads to a failure to release the dart with ease and also to a player’s normal way of throwing is severely hindered.
Dartitis symptoms can manifest anytime and isn’t a disease that only affects a certain level of ability or age of the player. There are a variety of darts players suffering from dartitis of all levels, from the top professional to amateur players. All need to find the best way to conquer this mental disorder that can affect their sport.
The Reason: What is the cause of dartitis?
The precise cause of dartitis remains unclear, but majority of individuals believe the problem originates from fear of failing. One theory suggests that dartitis is a result of performance anxiety that is triggered by the desire of perfection, and a player’s fear that they will miss the goal they’re aiming at could result in the throw breaking down, as the issue is affecting their game.
Darts is a sport that requires an amount of physical effort The game is mostly the test of concentration and mental strain. Stress and anxiety caused by playing darts in a competitive manner is believed to be among the most important factors contributing for a person who suffers from dartitis.
Darts players suffering from dartitis
In the past, there have been a number that professional players suffering from dartitis. These include former world champions, as well as some of the sport’s most promising young players. A former PDC World Championship finalist Kevin Painter has been affected by dartitis since 2024 and is currently working to overcome the problem and returning to playing his usual game.
Dartitis Eric Bristow experienced first became apparent in 1986 just after becoming the 5-time BDO world champ. Even though he managed to get back the number one spot in the world rankings in the following years however, he never was as good as.
Eric Bristow
“I feel like I’m doomed. The game that I always loved playing and was once so simple to master, suddenly, I’m unable to even throw darts. Let me can tell you exactly what transpired for me. The throw (my throw) decreased each year, and then one day it stopped. I was at a age of around 30. You love playing the game, but is no longer enjoyable for any longer. Then you think ‘I may not be able exhibitions. What do I do? ‘”
Eric Bristow speaking on ITV’s Sports Life Stories in 2013 about his fight with Dartitis
Mark Webster
“It was a thought that came to me that it was 2014, and I began to wonder “What’s the problem? ‘ I’m sure it’s mostly a mental thing which is why I tried to keep myself away from it, and did not want to talk about dartitis. However, I was aware that the condition was becoming more severe, and other players began to observe it as well. I recall playing once during an Euro Tour Qualifier and I could see that people were watching me. I was all around the place. I was unable to let the dart go, and I was aware of it.
“It was an extremely challenging period in my career, and at the end of the day, I did not recover. I had a short run but I was never able to recover the confidence, and the knock-on effect of it was devastating. It was the most tense and depressed I’ve ever been. I knew that I’d lost because I wasn’t able to play in the way I would like to play. .”
Mark Webster speaking on The Darts Show podcast about fighting dartitis while playing in PDC tour. PDC tour
Berry van Peer
I was going to play for The Grand Slam and I just wanted to play. Even the 50 average, I was going to play and if I feel great then I’ll be able to play better. It was stressful and mentally exhausting, and degrading me. It requires a lot of energy to get up on stage and play normal however, when you add in the fact that I was injured (with being diagnosed with dartitis) it was even more stressful. I made it through the stage group and I got to the last 16. I’m not sure what I did to get there. It was an insane time.
“In the game I played with Cameron (Menzies) fans were cheering me on and when I scored the double that won me the game, I was a mess and he also broke down too. The game was an up and down ride of emotions. The initial few months after that was difficult. I was reluctant to train often. In the present (in 2022) I have a few ticks that are bothering me and I’m trying my best to to get faster each time. I’m usually a faster player but I’m heading in the right direction and I’m on the right track at the moment. .”
Berry van Peer talking on the weekly Dartscast about his famous fight with dartitis in 2017. Grand Slam of Darts
Gian van Veen
“I experienced a couple of games in which I nearly cried as I struggled to let go of my dart. It was an uphill battle, and I wasn’t looking at it as if I was looking forward to playing because it took a lot of energy and, when I was playing, I could feel all eyes on me. I felt guilty for causing trouble to my opponents, however I was always winning and my confidence was growing since I was winning and in a particular way, it may have helped my career. .”
Gian Van Veen talking in front of PDC PDC regarding his own personal struggle with dartitis
Dartitis and its diagnosis: How do you identify if you’re suffering from dartitis
There are many indicators that can be identified by players that they may have Dartitis within their games. This includes hesitation and involuntary twitches whenever you’re on the oche as well being losing control, and having trouble controlling the speed and direction of your dart.
Dartitis-related symptoms can result in players performing inconsistently and, in turn feelings of mental stress and being physically drained or not able to concentrate. Dartitis sufferers may also experience physical discomfort as they try to take the dart out of their hands, and also having to exert more force than normal to release the dart.
Dartitis treatment
Dartitis is a multifaceted mix of physical and mental elements and is not an all-encompassing cure. There are different methods that athletes have used to overcome their condition and have been back to playing at an acceptable level.
Each player is unique and a particular method for curing dartitis could be beneficial for some players, however not for all players. It is crucial to take your time and try different methods to determine which one works best for you. Ask for advice from other players who may have suffered from dartitis in the past. Also, be open to trying various methods to discover one that can help you overcome the problem.
How to deal with dartitis Strategies for coping and treatment
Here are a few methods of coping with dartitis. These include some physical and mental techniques that you can employ if are afflicted by the disease.
Mental strategies (to decrease stress and anxiety)- some players have tried meditation and visualization while playing darts, since being relaxed will help ease any anxiety or stress in releasing the dart.Professional athletes have occasionally used hypnosis, acupuncture, or cognitive-behavioral therapy to help them get over their dartitis., hypnotherapy or acupuncture to help overcome dartitis from their game. Berry van Peer went down this route and came in top on the PDC Challenge Tour in 2023 to get his tour card back.
The physical techniques (to decrease physical symptoms)- another strategy is to alter your routine of practice in order to make the practice more enjoyable. Our “Darts Games to Try’ blog includes an wide range of games that can increase the enjoyment of your practice and ease any tension or stress that comes with playing. Other exercises for dartitis comprise changing your equipment, like changing the darts you throw or the grip you use to create a different sensation when you throw darts.
Support from professionalsA popular option for those who compete at the professional level is to consult the sports psychologist or coach to assist them in eliminating dartitis of their game. Contacting an expert in sports psychology can help any player seeking to improve their mental aspect that they play, not only those who are suffering from the disease.
How to avoid dartitis
Dartitis can occur at any moment and while we don’t have a clear answer as to the cause of dartitis, it’s impossible to prevent the condition completely. Here are a few suggestions to lower the risk of developing dartitis during your sport The following are some of them:
Practice routines for warm-ups as well as regular trainingIt is essential to stick to a consistent practice routine to aid in developing solid habits and prepare you for any future games.
Health and mental wellbeingThere are many methods that people can employ for keeping their mental health in check and reduce stress.
Health and fitnessFitness can aid players in avoiding suffering repetitive strain injuries.
Success stories: Can you conquer dartitis?
Beau Greaves overcame dartitis early in her career, and went on to become an unstoppable force in the women’s sport.
Beau Greaves is one of the most well-known players who have successfully fought dartitis. “Beau’n’ Arrow’ became the youngest female world champion after she won in the 2022 WDF Women’s World Championship at just 18 years old However, she was close to giving up the sport due to dartitis.
In an interview in an interview with Sky Sports she said: “With me it was more about the way I approached the board. I’d been panicking before I embarked onto the board. There was a lot of anxiety that I was going to be unable to play, particularly when I was in front of others. It was difficult to accept (the reality that) I may never be able to get over it, but I’m blessed to have a great family to be around. It is important to get over it, and you can’t allow it to bother you for too long. I’m trying to forget about it when it happens. The thing is, it’s something that you cannot forget – it’s in your mind.”
Treatment of dartitis The treatment of dartitis: additional sources
There’s plenty of assistance for those suffering from dartitis. The Dartitis Recovery Group on Facebook is available to anyone who wants to join and share their personal experiences as well as offer suggestions and advice to other players. The group was established to assist players who suffer from the disease by connecting with others who’ve had similar experiences.
For those who are trying to conquer dartitis, you can find numerous resources on the internet and other players who share their own experiences with the illness and providing strategies to overcome it. Check out the video below by Darts Class who shares his personal experience with the condition and how he fought it.
About DartBoard
DartBoard is committed to helping players of all levels. Our “How To’ section of our blog contains a range of helpful and informative tips to help you gain more knowledge of the game. Visit our How To Reduce Stress Through Darts’ blog on the benefits of darts, as well as a few of the mental health organizations that are linked to darts.
Check out our “The Best Darts for all Grip Types’ blog for a comprehensive review of the various dart grips for those seeking to change your darts grip or explore a different one. Our “How to Improve at Darts’ blog has helpful tips for improving your game. It also contains a number of different exercises for practicing.
