Even the most seasoned darts coaches can learn new tricks! This article details how an experienced coach, initially focused on established players, expanded his toolkit by attending a transformative two-day SightRight coaching course led by “Supercoach” Steve Feeney. You’ll discover how this program debunks common myths like eye dominance, provides fundamental player alignment techniques, and introduces structured player development methods, making it an invaluable experience for anyone serious about professional darts coaching.
Beyond the Oche: The Never-Ending Journey of a Darts Coach
As a darts coach, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you know it all, especially if your established methods seem to work. However, the world of darts, like any sport, is constantly evolving, and a truly effective coach understands the importance of continuous learning and adapting their approach. The more diverse tools you have in your coaching arsenal, the better equipped you’ll be to guide players of all ages and experience levels.
My own coaching journey has primarily involved working with more experienced players. Yet, a few recent encounters with beginners prompted a crucial realization: I needed to broaden my perspective and explore new methods, not just for my players, but potentially to help other coaches too. This self-reflection led me to seek out expertise in areas where I felt a knowledge gap.
Discovering the “Supercoach” and SightRight
In the realm of ‘Indoor Accuracy Sports’ – a category darts perfectly fits into – there’s one name that consistently stands out for both technical prowess and the ability to effectively communicate complex knowledge: Steve Feeney, the visionary founder of the SightRight coaching and support brand. Many in the darts community know him simply as the “Supercoach!”
Recognizing his unparalleled track record, I reached out to Steve and enrolled in one of his intensive small group training courses earlier this year. This two-day program wasn’t just about the coaching; it also offered the unique opportunity to visit Bradmoor Farm near Aylesbury, an incredibly dedicated and impressive darts venue.
Day One: Debunking Myths and Mastering Alignment
The first day kicked off with introductions, allowing our small, diverse group to connect. We were a fascinating mix: dedicated individuals aiming to improve coaching standards in their academies, a former PDC-level player establishing an academy in Cyprus, an entrepreneur from Prague, a former forces member keen on commercial coaching, and myself, coaching individually across various spectrums.
Our learning began with an in-depth exploration of the SightRight process’s history and its remarkable success across various sports and with different types of players. A significant part of this session involved challenging – and in some cases, completely dismantling – commonly held beliefs within darts. One of the most eye-opening revelations was the concept of eye dominance: how it’s often measured, and why it can be incredibly misleading for darts players. Steve swiftly proved this point while simultaneously guiding us through the crucial first stage of correctly aligning a player.
Steve’s core philosophy emphasizes that proper alignment is fundamental for almost any player, especially newcomers. It’s the bedrock upon which all other techniques are built.
Day Two: Advanced Development and Practical Application
The second day delved into the more advanced aspects, focusing on the second stage of player alignment and broader elements of player development. This included strategies for personal record-keeping and teaching players how to effectively self-score and fairly assess their own progress.
Here, I gained an unexpected, yet incredibly valuable, new skill. Steve, leveraging his background as a training staff member for a major institution, has developed a sophisticated record-keeping system and ongoing support features specifically for his accredited coaches. This structured approach to benchmarking and self-encouragement offers profoundly positive effects for both coach and player, fostering continuous improvement.
The course culminated in several hands-on practical sessions. We applied the SightRight model to each member of the group, practicing how to implement these techniques in real coaching scenarios. While our individual styles and competencies varied, the effectiveness of the demonstrated points and early techniques was immediately apparent.
The final boardwork session introduced exclusive ‘SightRight’ games and targeted drill work, designed to build foundational skills. While I’m intentionally vague on the specifics of these proprietary techniques (to protect Steve’s innovative work from plagiarism), rest assured they are highly effective and unique.
A Resounding Recommendation
The feedback from all the SightRight Accredited Coaches was overwhelmingly positive, with many noting it surpassed other courses they had attended. Personally, I wholeheartedly recommend this course to any academy coach or individual aspiring to coach darts professionally. It’s a game-changer that will undoubtedly elevate your coaching capabilities and help your players reach their full potential.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
