From: “Jon Robinson” June 18, 2007 2:54 AM

Subject: Re: Yips

Dear George

Thank you so much for your help. I must apologize for not responding to you earlier but my wife gave birth to our first baby boy on Friday (3 weeks early) and I have been in a spin ever since. However, I did manage read your notes whilst I was sitting in the maternity ward with bubs waiting for my wife to come out of recovery after her cesarean. I have also done some practice on the finger/wrist exercise and have found it extremely useful.

Firstly, without sounding like I’m blowing your trumpet I was astounded by your incredible sense of understanding about the mechanics of darts and the problems that dart players experience. You have taken me from a position of thinking I was a hopeless case and that my problems are so many and varied I should give the game away to a place now where at least I don’t feel alone and there is some hope.

>>

>> I was also fascinated with your spin on practice. I have spoken to many old and wise dart players and they have said to me practice is good only if it is the right type of practice such as setting goals and practicing at hitting targets like the triples, doubles and pegging out. However, I have always said to them that I there is no point me engaging in that sought of practice unless I can hit the target. To make an analogy with golf there is no point in trying to learn how to fade and draw a golf shot unless you can hit the ball properly in the first place.

The real buzz for me however was to read and learn about the finger/wrist drive. You see I am a self taught dart player and in the early days I relied heavily on the information I gleaned from a little book written by John Lowe many years ago about the basics of darts. I never thought that the power in a throw was generated primarily from the action of the wrist and fingers. I always thought that it came from the thrust of the forearm. I am now wondering if my physical problems (i.e. tennis elbow and tendonitis) are the result of straining and trying to throw the dart firmly at the board caused by poor form.

I have been practicing the finger/wrist drive and if I concentrate really hard it works very well for me. Unfortunately, my flawed throwing action is ingrained and hard to shake and it will take a lot of dedication/commitment yet to overcome. I hope I’m up to the task. The re-focus on the basics has also helped my yips and given me a new lease of confidence – I hope it continues. Although there appears to know real definition of dartitis – for me it has come from a loss of form which has sapped all my confidence. Mentally, when I approach a game I am very negative and expect to lose. I have developed a stutter in my forward push to release the dart accompanied with a late release and loss of power. The finger/wrist drive approach has given me a more positive mind set because I know I have a lot of power in my wrists.

All I got to do is concentrate on that aspect of my throw and ignore the negative thought of not being able to get the dart to the board which has been the undoing of my game.

George, if you have any other literature which dissects the dart throw I would love to read it. Also, I would also appreciate any advice/information on how one builds confidence. Is all this information available in your book because, if so, I can’t wait till I get a copy of it? Can I become a member of your flight school?

Kind regards, Jon