The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog, comes as Nigel Heydon blows a winning opportunity against World Champion Adrian Lewis, in the Worlds Darts Championships.
Sports Psychology: Nigel Heydon - Winning!
It's the first round of the World Darts Championships in London. And The Undertaker, Nigel Heydon is two sets to the good against reigning champion Adrian Lewis.
Heydon has found a nice rhythm and a major upset is on the cards. Lewis is way off his A game, being unable to find that natural tempo that can be so destructive.
With victory in sight, Heydon just has to keep doing what he is doing. Soon he'll be in the interview room with Dave Clarke, savouring the sweet taste of success. But that is the dilemma of course.
The closer he gets to the finish, the more the magnitude of the win will become apparent to Heydon. And that is exactly what happens. The arm tightens and the darts drift. The board becomes smaller. The rhythm falters, and champion Lewis steps in. Heydon misses the moment.
Hayden's experience is not unusual. It happens to most players, unused to handling the pressure of big TV games. The key is to be aware, yes, of the dynamics of the game. But then have a pre-shot routine that takes all thoughts of winning out of your head, and gets you back in the moment.
Feeling that you might win is one thing. Knowing how to is another. But the know-how is locked into the game's fundamental simplicity. It's dart to target everytime!
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