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Practice Tips for Playing Darts

by Joe White

Overview

The casual darts player plays most of his game in a dark pub on the weekends, not the ideal place for honing a delicate skill. To make the most of your darts playing, it's important to practice outside of your usual games, outside of the usual setting. Find time to work on the basics of the game, your stance and your stroke.
Stance

A good stance is the basis for accurate dart throwing. Keep both feet firmly planted, with your dominant foot forward slightly. The exact angle of your stance is a matter of personal preference. Most right-handed players like to have their right foot forward at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Do not make the mistake of leaning too far over the shooting line. Leaning forward puts most or all of your weight on your front foot, which sacrifices stability. The few inches to be gained by leaning unstably forward are not worth the detriment to a sound foundation.

Throwing Motion

The throwing motion should be a simple arm action; your body should not bob or lurch toward the dartboard as you throw. The dart should remain pointed directly at the target throughout the course of the throw, and your arm should hinge on the elbow. Release the dart fully and all at once, spreading your fingers and thumb to avoid imparting spin to the shot. The key to a steady and reliable stroke is the ability to repeat the same motion over and over again. Don't make adjustments to your motion depending on the shot; always maintain the same stroke. If you need to adjust your stance, do it before you begin the shot. Avoid lifting your back foot when you throw.
Practice Routine

The only way to achieve a consistent, repeatable stroke is through regular practice. Practice every day is optimal, but if daily practice is unfeasible, make an effort to practice at least a few days per week. The practice sessions should last long enough to build muscle memory, long enough for you to get a feel for your stroke and work on ironing out imperfections, but not too long. If you practice for hours on end, your concentration will inevitably flag and the quality of your practice will suffer. Vary the makeup of your sessions to keep yourself actively focused. Don't play cricket or 501 by yourself, which can be monotonous. Instead, practice shooting at a specific number for a specific number of shots or certain amount of time. To mix up things, try shooting some shots with your eyes closed to get a better feel for the consistency of your stroke.