You may have seen the pros throw darts and it looks unbelievably easy, however it’s a lot more difficult than most people think. If you don’t know how to throw darts and your first attempt was frustrating and unsuccessful, then this guide of throwing techniques will walk you through the process, so with practice, you can significantly improve your aim and throwing style in no time.

Stance is Everything

Assuming the correct stance is the first step to throwing a steel tip dart like a pro. Positioning your body correctly will have a big impact on the quality of your throw and the consistency of your shots. When you throw, you want to ensure you’re comfortable and balanced, in order to achieve the best results. Most beginners don’t understand the importance of their stance when they throw, which is why their shots are so inconsistent.

There are a few different stances to choose from, each of which has their own pros and cons. The first is the forward stance.

• Some players prefer to use the forward stance for dart drills when they throw, however, it will require plenty of practice to master it. For this stance, the dominant foot should be placed in the front. The toe should touch the oche. Additionally, the toe should be pointed directly towards the target. The majority of a person’s bodyweight should be supported by the leading foot.
• The side stand is the next option. For this position, the edge of the leading foot will be positioned on the throwing line. The back foot will be placed behind the leading foot with the thrower’s elbow placed inwards for improved control. The player’s throwing arm should be lined up with their eye.
• The angled stance is the third option. This position is a mixture of the side and forward stance. The stance provides the upper body with improved stability, which is why it’s the stance many pros use.

Pro Tip: Some dart mats have throw lines on them. That will both help you keep your floor intact, and have an official oche for your throwing drills.

How Weight is Distributed

Regardless of the type of stance you choose, most of your weight should be placed on your leading foot. This should be done without leaning forward too much since this can have a negative impact on balance.

Other Ways to Improve Stance

Once you’ve assumed the correct position, then you’ll need to align yourself in a manner that places your shoulders in a ninety-degree angle with the dartboard. If you’re unsure how to do this, try adjusting your spine so that it stays straight, with your shoulders kept parallel with the floor. The key here will be to stay relaxed and comfortable while you throw.

For the best results, raise your back heel slightly, with your front foot firmly placed on the floor.

This will ensure you use the perfect stance for throwing and can help improve your chances of consistently hitting the bullseye.

Holding Technique

When you hold a dart, there’s no right or wrong way, it’s more a matter of personal preference. When you grasp the dart, avoid holding it too tightly. If your grip is too loose, then you’ll also run the risk of a sloppy throw. Instead, hold the dart firmly, which will help you maintain control of the shot. Grasp the dart with at least two fingers, with your thumb placed at the center of the barrel.

Aim

Hand-eye coordination is the key to accurate aiming. Do you know which eye is dominant? The eye you have difficulty closing when you throw is the eye that’s dominant.

In order to improve your aiming accuracy, you need to find the perfect line of sight. You’ll need to position the hand that’s throwing the dart at eye level. Using your pinkie can help you line up correctly and will improve aiming precision. You can also choose to use the tip of the dart instead. Either option will help you find the ideal line of sight.

Until you improve your precision enough to hit the dartboard every single time, I suggest investing in a dart backboard to keep your walls protected!

Tips to Improve Your Aim

When you’re aiming make sure that you point the dart’s tip slightly upward. If the tip of the dart is pointed down, then it will move off to the side or fall beneath the target.

The dart might align with the target, if your aim is somewhat skewed then hitting the target will be almost impossible.

Learning how to release the dart will be the last step to mastering your throw. But learning the correct time to release the dart is more difficult than most people think and will come with practice.

Pulling Back

Many dart throwers tend to pull back their arm as they release the dart, which is a common rookie mistake. When you throw a dart, you want to only move the wrist and hand.

Preferably, you’ll slightly pull your hand forward, not your arm. You’ll want to use your elbow and wrist to accelerate the dart’s movement.

Snapping the Wrist

Before a throw, make sure that you snap your wrist since doing so will accelerate the dart, allowing for improved throwing accuracy. The wrist should be snapped forward, not downward. Snapping the wrist downward releases the dart in a downward direction.

Final Thoughts

Practice and repetition are what it takes if you want to learn how to throw darts like a pro. Using the proper stance, grip, and aiming correctly will help you perfect your throwing skills and will have a major impact on shot consistency and quality. Try to practice at least twenty minutes a day to improve muscle memory and you’ll notice some major changes in shot quality and accuracy in a matter of weeks.