(*Spoiler alert at my level it’s called… consistent dart throwing).
6 Dart Throwing Tips – to get you throwing darts consistently
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Foot Placement
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The Perfect Stance
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Still Focus
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Lining up the dart
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Throw darts straight
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P.M.A.
I know it, just like me you want to throw like a pro but let’s face it most of us just don’t have the gusto to make it 🙁
What we can do though is look to be more consistent in how we throw. If we get the basics right and practise regularly then I believe there is no chance that we don’t get better.
I love to watch the pros play darts every chance I get. I like to study what they do to make their darts go straight, what they do which makes them more consistent throwers than me, and heck, just enjoy watching how they throw darts.
From doing my homework on the pros I’ve identified 6 dart tips that have helped me to play better, more consistent darts and could help you too.
Foot Placement
Let’s start from the beginning, the first thing to consider is how you place your foot at the throwing line. Some play head-on with their toes touching the throwing line, and some people go side-on with their foot 90 degrees to the throw line and parallel to the board. Some go for a mix of these and stand with their foot about 45 degrees from the throwing line. What I’ve seen from watching the pros throw, the vast majority of them throw with their foot parallel to the board tight up against the throw line. So darts tip number one I’ve noted on how the pros throw: throw with your foot parallel to the board.
The Perfect Stance
Next is your stance, you need to be building the foundations for a good solid throw through your stance. Improve your consistency by getting on the right line to throw your darts. Have your arm bending at the elbow but in a straight line from your shoulder and they will be directly above your hip and your front leg. If we could see you from the front there will be a line from your head down through your hand, your side, and your hip down through your knee to your foot and it will be perfectly straight and absolutely 90 degrees to the ground. You might want to have a little bend in your knee to give you a little flexibility, that’s perfectly fine but otherwise, and my dart tip number 2 on how the pros play: keep your stance in line.
As well as keeping their stance in a perfect line what I’ve noted that the pros do or to be more precise, what the pros don’t do, is move around. They are still like a statue at the throwing line. They don’t sway from side to side or back and forth, they are perfectly still and balanced.
So approach the throwing line, get your foot side on, and then relax and stay still. The only things that should move as you are throwing are your fulcrums, your shoulder only moves slightly at the end of the throw when you are at full arm extension, and your elbow, wrist, and fingers are the only parts of your body in motion. So dart tip number 3 that I’ve noted will help you throw like a pro: Don’t move when you’re at the throwing line.
Still Focus
Next and a continuation of what we have already mentioned is about your head. Pros always keep their head rigid (but relaxed) in position so they are facing the place they are aiming for. You’ve got the stance, you’re balanced and you’re ready to take your first shot – your head must be still. One little move and your dart throw is off target. So tip number 4 from watching the pros is to keep your head still.
How to throw darts straight
So we have built our foundations and we’re ready for the key element of how to throw a dart well, now we are ready to… throw the dart. We are bringing the dart up to our face, we aim, we throw, and then we are following through with full arm extension after the throw. I’ve already discussed how important arm extension is to be able to throw darts consistently. So my 5th dart tip was observed from watching the pros: full throw technique including follow through.
P.M.A.: Positive Mental Attitude
The 6th and final thing that I’ve identified from watching pros throwing darts might even be the hardest one to copy. It’s about taking the emotion out of your throw. We’ve all been guilty of this at one time or another – flipping drivers the bird – it’s really about staying in control of our emotions.
When our mindset isn’t right and we are thinking too hard about what we are going to do, we aren’t being naturally relaxed and allowing our body to be in a flow state.
I’m not talking about giving yourself some encouragement or cheering yourself on when you’ve hit a good outshot. I’m talking about taking it all too seriously and being hard on yourself. We play the game because we love it, it’s fun and we can enjoy ourselves with our friends, opponents or even practice on our own.
When the fun stops we need to take a step back and get ourselves talking to our positive mindset. I’m a believer in ignoring what has gone on before and just playing in the moment or moving forward. Don’t lose your temper, stay focused, and then you stay relaxed and will be able to throw your best darts.
We sometimes beat ourselves and not our opponent so if I’ve learned anything from watching the pros it’s to keep a cool head.
Key Takeaways
- Throw with your foot parallel to the board
- Keep your stance in line
- Don’t move when you’re at the throwing line
- Keep your head still
- Full throw technique including follow through
- Keep a cool head
Advanced dart throwing technique – lining up the dart
It’s easy to do this for real at home you might even want to do it when you’re playing for real, hold your dart and use your throwing action to draw an imaginary line from the 20 down through the bullseye and the 3 and off the bottom of the board. Make sure this action is in a straight line from top to bottom with your throwing arm. Dress and shoes in the right direction, you’re on the right line, you’re balanced and your action will ensure that the dart is going on the correct plane. Important to keep your elbow tucked in so they stay in a straight line and not push out too far otherwise you won’t be throwing at 90 degrees to the board.
