Performance = Skill + Passion – Interference · Darts-360 Performance Academy

Performance = Skill + Passion – Interference

When we talk about performance in darts, I like to frame it with this simple formula:

Performance = Skill + Passion – Interference

Skill → the technical side of throwing darts: stance, grip, release, grouping, scoring, finishing.
Passion → your energy, hunger, love for the game, the fire that makes you practise and compete.7
Interference → the stuff that gets in the way.

The first two parts are easy to see. But the third — interference — is often invisible.And that’s where I help players the most.

What is interference?

Interference is anything that blocks your natural game:

Mental → overthinking, self-doubt, nerves, expectation, loss of focus.
Emotional → frustration after a missed double, anger at yourself, caring too much about the result.
Physical → fatigue, poor sleep, unhealthy routines, lack of preparation.
External → noisy crowds, slow opponents, family or financial pressure, social media distractions.

Think of interference like static on a radio.Your song (your best performance) is already playing — but until you tune out the static, you’ll never hear it clearly.

Real examples from the pros

Eric Bristow had enormous skill and passion — but in later years, when nerves crept in on stage, interference chipped away at his dominance.
Gary Anderson admits he rarely practises, but when his passion and focus are on, he can beat anyone — when distractions or injuries creep in, the interference shows.
Michael van Gerwen at his peak was almost interference-free: full belief, full passion, clear mind. But when injuries, dips in confidence, or expectation piled on, the static grew louder.
Luke Humphries recently spoke about dealing with anxiety and nerves. By lowering that interference, he unlocked the performances that took him to world champion.
Phil “The Power” Taylor is the ultimate example — he managed interference better than anyone, which is why his skill and passion translated into relentless dominance.

Your reflection

Which type of interference affects you most right now?
How would your game look if you reduced that interference by even 20%?

Remember: sometimes the fastest way to improve isn’t adding more skill — it’s removing the blocks that are stopping your current skill from showing up.

👉 Drop in the comments:

What’s the biggest interference you face right now in darts?

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