*How to Improve Your Aim for the Darts Game?

Have you recently started playing darts or have you been engaging in this activity for a while? No matter what practice stage you’re in, working on your aim is always important. Even if your darts reach the desired spot five out of ten throws, you might still need to work on your aim, especially if your ultimate purpose is playing in an official tournament. So, here are some useful tips to help you improve your aim.

Define your throwing style

In darts, just like in any other sport, there is no fixed recipe for success. Different players rely on different techniques to achieve outstanding results. But one thing is for sure, the more you practice, the better you will get at darts and the sooner you will be able to define your throwing style, which is a crucial aspect that will help you boost your scores.

If you’ve ever watched professionals in action, you’ve probably noticed that different players use different techniques in terms of grip, pose, and throwing style. Each player has a style of their own and couldn’t achieve the same results if they suddenly changed their style. Also, finding and perfecting this style is usually a matter of years.

The bottom line here is that trying to copy another player’s throwing style won’t ensure that you get the same results. You should rather focus on finding the throwing style, posture, and grip that benefit you the most and you can only do this through constant practice.

Try gripping the dart with 4, 3, or even 2 fingers, or use different grip points and see which technique brings you the best results. The same goes for your pose; try standing with both legs aligned at an equal distance behind the throw line, then, place one leg behind the other and figure out which posture grants you more balance and confidence.

Figure out your timing

Another aspect to consider if you want to get a better aim at darts is the perfect release time. This sounds like alchemy, but it isn’t. While some players simply grab their dart and are able to aim and score in seconds, others need time to focus on each throw. Again, this is something you will tackle as you practice. There is no countdown when it comes to launching your dart. So, if you think that you need a bit more time to focus on the target and feel confident when you release the dart, take that time.

Use a sightline

In every sport or activity that requires aiming, it’s important to use a sightline. This line helps you align your eyes with the target and aim with precision. There is no secret recipe for the perfect sightline either. As you practice, finding it will come naturally. Some players use the dart itself as their sightline and focus on the tip of the dart to be able to aim with precision. For other players, the secret to being able to align better is having their knuckle stick up. You will be able to find your sightline after you define your grip.

Mind your elbow

One final tip that is extensively used by darters refers to the elbow’s position. To improve your accuracy, you should stick your elbow in. This technique is not unique. If you take baseball as an example, you will realize that players also use their elbow to guide the pitch with it.

In darts, your elbow should be up and you should point it directly at the dartboard. Make sure you don’t point it downwards because your dart will also move that way.

Finally, don’t forget that no matter how great your aim gets, you need to practice regularly to stay in good shape. Good luck with your darts practice, and if you need a quality wall protector to keep your walls safe from stray darts while playing, take a look at our sturdy EVA foam dartboard surround.

*updated September 2022