“Darts is an easy game to play. It’s a hard game to play well.” Those are the wise words of one of the most popular players to play the game, Bobby George, and anyone who has ever thrown a dart knows it to be true.
Watching the professionals on television can dupe you into believing that chucking arrows at a board 237cm away is pretty simple. The reality is that it’s a sport that requires immense levels of skill and precision that can only be attained through thousands of hours of gruelling practice, and even then it’s a test of one’s mettle.
Beginners to darts soon find that out, often to the detriment of décor in the vicinity of the dartboard (which is why investing in a surround is a must). All beginners tend to make the same mistakes, some of which are more easily rectifiable than others – here, we’ll share some tips for darts beginners on some of the most common mistakes you will want to avoid.
Don’t Throw Too Hard
Harder doesn’t mean better. One mistake that almost every beginner makes is believing they have to throw the dart hard for it to stick into the board…that simply isn’t the case. Some players naturally have harder throws than others, but they are focusing more on aiming and throwing the dart where they want it to go.
Darts are designed so that they easily penetrate the bristle of the dartboard. If your darts are bouncing off the board then, rather than throwing as hard as you can, you may wish to consider the condition of the board or sharpen the end of your points. A poor throwing technique (more on this later) can also cause your dart to rebound off the board.
Stop Moving When Throwing
When watching professionals play you will always notice that, barring their throwing arm, their body remains still. A mistake that beginners make is failing to control the rest of their body, which is what causes the dart to be thrown wayward. While players have their own technique, what remains the same is that they do not unbalance themselves by moving any other part of their body than their throwing arm.
A bobbling head and a kicking trailing leg are the most common mistakes that beginners make when throwing their darts. If your darts enter the board at an angle, pointing to the right or left, there is likely a movement that is causing your body to become unbalanced. If you can, record yourself throwing for a few visits (not just one) that you can review – you will likely notice something that you didn’t realise you were doing.
Using Phil Taylor Darts Won’t Make You Play Like Him
Just because a player puts their name to a set of darts doesn’t mean that you are going to play like them. Players play with all different kinds of weights and setups and the truth is that the only way you are going to find what works best for you is to experiment. There is no definitive best dart weight for beginners, nor are there best darts for beginners, either, despite what some may tell you.
Invest in a few sets of darts, with differing weights and grips, and play with them. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, either, as there is no rule that you need to use the darts exactly how they come out of the box. You might find that the barrels of one set and the stems and flights from another work best. Even when you think you have found the perfect set, don’t be afraid to keep experimenting with different setups.
Don’t Stress About Hitting Trebles
When your first start throwing, don’t worry about aiming for the treble sections of the board. Begin by aiming for the larger single sections of the board and focus on trying to group your darts. For example, if your first dart hits a single 20 then attempt to follow it up with two more in the same section. The reason is that darts is all about muscle memory and if you can replicate your throw, making it consistent, this will help you as your game begins to develop.
Trebles are the hardest part of the board to hit, which is why they are worth the most amount of points. Beginners aiming for that elusive 180 can soon become disheartened and frustrated chasing a score that, barring a miracle, they aren’t going to achieve shortly after picking the sport up. Around the Clock (aiming for each number on the board and the bull) is a fantastic game for any beginners to practice aiming at each segment of the board.
Experiment with Different Grips and Stances
Just as there is no style of throw or darts setup that is right for everyone, the same can be said about grips and stances. Players grip their darts in a multitude of ways – some prefer to hold the dart using their thumb and index finger while others may grip the dart with their thumb, index, and middle finger with their ring finger resting underneath. It’s all about finding what feels most comfortable for you.
Your stance, ideally, should have your body side-on to the board, so that your chest is at a roughly 90-degree angle to the oche. The reason for this is that when you throw standing straight-on to the board, your arm will naturally throw across your chest thus distorting your throwing line. This means that rather than hitting a single 20 when aiming for the treble, the line of your throw means you are more likely to hit a one or five. Throwing side-on, with your shoulder and upper arm locked straight, should mean that your throwing line is straighter. Experiment with different stances to find what feels and works best for you.
Nothing Beats Competition
You will never replicate your game on the practice board into an actual competitive game. Many players have been able to blow opponents away in the practice room, only to not be able to hit a thing when playing for real. Don’t go around boasting about how well you can perform when no one is watching.
Competition brings the pressure and nerves of playing for darts trophies you simply cannot replicate in practice. Being able to throw under pressure is the mark of a good player and, while you may have hit a few 180s and impressive finishes in practice, it means nothing until you can do it in competition. When you feel that your practice game has reached a certain level, it is time to enter a league or local tournament. Don’t stress too much about the result or your performance, but use the experience to continue to develop your game.
There is nothing groundbreaking about any of these tips for darts beginners, but they are important lessons for anyone new to throwing arrows. If you take our advice on board then we suspect it won’t be too long until you are recognised for your darting prowess.
