If you’ve ever watched a professional player throwing darts, you’ll know they make it look easy. It’s a seamless, fluid action every time they play, and they’re always on target.
However, it’s not as easy when you’re just getting started. So, you may be wondering, what tips can we share to start throwing better darts?
Let’s get into it.
1. Practice With a Purpose
Fundamentally, if you want to improve your throwing technique, you need to practice with a purpose.
You should have a specific set of goals and objectives when practicing rather than throwing darts aimlessly at the board. What do you wish to become better at? Do you wish to work on doubling out, or do you want to hit trebles more consistently?
Choose a specific part of your game and concentrate on developing it with a program created just for you.
Most training games are designed to help you practice doubling out, which is the most critical aspect of darts since you cannot win until you finish.
Amateurs should consider a more well-rounded game like around-the-clock. However, experienced players should concentrate their exercises on a specific skill, such as doubling out.
2. Learn the Numbers
Certain dart games, such as Around the World darts, don’t involve much mental math, but you’ll need to know some darts math for most dart games.
Many dart players excel in fundamental arithmetic, and their ability is based on repeating and memorizing number combinations. They may not be experts in advanced mathematics. However, they can add and subtract one to three-digit numbers quickly.
To improve your game, you need to calculate your remaining score and understand which numbers you need to hit next to give you the best chance of doubling out.
3. Practice Your Finishing (Doubling Out)
As important as hitting high scores is, practicing your finishing or ‘doubling out‘ will increase the number of games you win in darts. Remember that a game isn’t over until you hit the double in most games.
Even if you’re a consistently high point scorer, you’ll continue losing more than winning unless you can consistently double out.
4. Play Against Better Players
Playing against stronger players is beneficial to developing your game as a better opponent will force you to focus more and think about every shot. As you know that each mistake is more likely to be punished.
Secondly, when playing among better players, you’ll also pick up tips that have helped them develop.
5. Perfect Your Stance
When playing darts, your stance is one of the most important aspects of your throw.
Take a look at these tips to improve your stance:
- Align your shoulders to point towards the board in a side-on stance
- Assess your feet for a natural posture that you can maintain
- Position yourself at an ideal angle with the throwing arm nearest the dartboard.
- Balance and distribute your weight to your front foot
- Take a few deep breaths and relax your muscles by allowing your shoulders to fall away from the ears.
6. Perfect the Follow Through
One of the most crucial aspects of darts is the throw.
So it is important to follow through with your forearm when releasing your dart to maintain momentum.
7. Experiment With Different Darts
Play with several types of darts until you uncover the one which feels best for you. There isn’t a perfect set of darts that will turn you into a pro player overnight. You do, however, have a variety of alternatives to try out and become familiar with. It’s surprising how much a good setup can help your performance. Here are some parts of your darts that you can alter:
- The Point
- The Shaft
- The Barrel
- Flights
Be patient; finding the right combination will take some time. Stick with what you enjoy once you’ve found it.
8. Invest in an Online Dart Scorer App
During a game of 501, it may be hard for a beginner to keep track of their score while playing.
You can ask the scorer how many points are still available; however, it’s frowned upon to ask after every shot. Ideally, you want to keep track of your own score. But focusing on your game while simultaneously keeping track of your score is not everyone’s strong suit.
Luckily, several darts scoring apps can do the hard work for you, keeping track of your score throughout the game. We’d highly suggest investing in a dart scoring app, so you can concentrate on scoring where it matters.
9. Play Regularly
Darts is without question a very challenging sport. Aside from the mental aspects, consistently throwing darts at small targets across the board isn’t easy.
Therefore, to improve your scores, you must practice regularly. Whether in a competitive game or playing various dart games with friends, it’ll help improve your aim and consistency over time.
10. Conquer the Mind Game
When it comes to darts, you are in complete control of your destiny, so you only have yourself to blame for whatever mistakes you make. Because of this, it’s easy to get frustrated. One of the most important things you can learn to control in darts is your mind.
When playing darts, allowing your mind to get the better of you will affect your performance.
If you’re ever feeling frustrated, it’s good to turn your attention to your breathing. Remain calm and in command at all times. You’ll be surprised at the impact that just a few deep breaths may have.
It’s crucial to be at ease with your setup, style, and posture and be confident. It’s critical to have self-assurance.
Here are some steps to conquer the mind game:
- Accept that you will not be able to throw perfect darts every time
- Be sure that you’ll bounce back from whatever bad games or shots you’ve played
- All it takes is one well-placed dart to get you back on track
Conclusion
Practising darts demands a lot of time and effort. If you’re a beginner, it’s important to find a grip, posture, and throwing technique that you’re comfortable with.
Working on these skills can help you throw better darts, even if you’re a beginner. As you play regularly and improve, many of these traits will become second nature.
