Phil Taylor explains one thing that would happen immediately if he coached Luke Littler
Darts legend Phil Taylor has explained exactly what would happen if he were to coach Luke Littler.
Taylor, 64, dominated darts for three decades and ended his career with 214 professional titles and 85 major tournament crowns, including 16 World Championships.
Littler, 17, will take on Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, London, on Friday as he looks to claim his first ever PDC World Darts Championship crown.
Of course, last year, the Warrington-born star reached the final but was beaten by Luke Humphries, who lost in the fourth round against Peter Wright this around.
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That experience will no doubt help Littler later, and he will also likely call on advice from his friends, family and coaches.
However, one man who knows darts more than most is Taylor, and he revealed the one thing that would happen if he were to coach the 17-year-old.
‘The Power’ is a huge admirer of the rising star, and revealed how he would mentor such a prospect when speaking in March 2024.
"I couldn't do it like most people do it, I'd have to be hands-on," he told Online Darts.
"Everything would be there for you, and I'd be knocking at your door at 10 in the morning.
"Luke wouldn't be playing on his PlayStation, and I could improve Luke one hundred per cent, no trouble.”
Littler, like many teenagers, is a huge fan of gaming and even partnered with Xbox ahead of the World Darts Championship back in December. The deal has seen Littler sport the console’s logo on his purple jersey throughout the competition.
"I say hundred per cent, when he's on form, I couldn't make him any better,” Taylor explained.
The 64-year-old even revealed how he would “have to go and live with him [Littler] for a few days to see “what he was all about” when speaking to talkSPORT in October 2024.
“If I spent time with him, I would see how he practises, see how he eats, see how he exercises, see how he does anything,” said Taylor.
"If he’s playing on them PlayStations, I would give him a set time - an hour a night or something - and then get ready for the next day.
“Make sure you're not staying up too late and waking up in the morning, and you are shattered. I have seen that many, many times – players who will have a drink after, they get into the drinking, and then they aren’t getting to bed until 1 am or 2 am.”
Of course, Littler is still 17, so he is not legally able to drink alcohol in the UK until he turns 18 on January 21, 2025.
Topics: Darts, Gaming, Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen
Luke Davies