does anyone know what the trick is to playing darts?

Question

I have been playing darts now for about 5 years, and some days I do really well and other days i look like i have never played before.It is very frustraiting, I love the game, and would like to play professionally

Answer 1

The trick is in the flicking of the wrist. Try watching TSN when they have the professional dart tournaments on. Watch the way they flick the dart. Then practice, practice, practice. you'll get the hang of it.

Answer 2

It's hard to help without seeing you throw because everyone has learned different bad habits. However, there is some general advice that may help:

The only way to get good at anything is practice and consistency. You need to pay attention to how you're standing, how you're holding your arm, how you're holding the dart, are you tilting your head, etc.? Pick a stance and hold that is comfortable to you, and then do it the same way every time.

Also - you need to have very little body movement during your throw. Too many people put their entire body into their throw, and it just doesn't work. You don't need that much force to get the dart to the board, so all you're doing is adding variables that will never be consistent. You should stand perfectly still, and nothing except your throwing arm should be moving.

Have someone watch you throw. Perhaps they can point out some specific things that you do differently that make you good one day and bad the next.

And, if you have ESPN, watch the World Series of Darts. Watch the pros throw. You don't have to do it exactly the way they do, but you may notice things that they do NOT do that you do. If there are any tournaments near you, go and watch the top players. You don't have to enter any events, and there are no fees to get in the door.

Answer 3

I played in a league too and was the captain for several years on up to A division. I can tell you first hand what you are talking about. You are just wanting to be more consistent. I have had nights where it looked like I never played too and we all are off at times. Try to not get frustrated and have fun with it as much as possible. Keep practicing and play a lot of good competition and you should improve a lot. Good darts to you and I hope you make it to the top!

Answer 4

Like everyone else is saying practice... but you have to practice right ..if you practice wrong its hurting more then helping the most important thing in a dart stroke is to have the exact same stroke eveytime... the easiest way to do this is by moving the least amount of your body... you cant jump or jerk when you throw... stand steady with your throwing shoulder pointed straight at the boardyour upper arm should be parallel with the floor the stroke is one fluid motion just extending your elbow... no wrist flicking no bouncing just extend and release if you do this the same all the time you will build what is called muscle memory thats what you need to be consistent and bring your game to a higher level

Answer 5

As several before me have said the key is practice, practice, practice, but make sure that it is proper practice. Repeating bad habits will only make you more frustrated with your game. If you have friends that are really good at the sport of darts see if they can help you get a better understanding of what you must do to improve. If there is a league in your area join the highest level that will have you and play as much as you can against the better players.

Set goals that you want to accomplish in practice and record your progress towards those goals. Keep a positive attitude towards the sport of darts and your efforts to improve.

The advice above about relaxation is very important to think about as well. Also consider using visualization as part of your practice as it has be shown to improve preformance in various sports.

Answer 6

Try this... Listen to some Mozart or Bach. Apparently music with the tempo of 55-60 beats per minute has the effect of slowing your brain wave patterns to a superlearning level
... check out this site...
Recently, a study was done at UC Irvine's Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. 36 undergraduate students were given spatial reasoning tests on a standard IQ (Intelligence Quotient) test.
Before the first test, each student listened to Mozart's sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 for ten minutes
Before the second test, they listened to a relaxation tape.
And before the third test, they sat in silence.

The average scores for all 36 students were 119 on the first test, 111 on the second and 110 on the third test.

This and many studies like it are irrefutable... slow, rhythmic "mathematical" 60 BPM music puts you into the perfect state of mind and body for learning new mental patterns like nothing else.

You may find listening to this before your game you will be in a more relaxed and consistant frame of mind... all the best

Answer 7

From what I have seen, part of it is natural talent, but the other part is practice. If you really want to play and get better, join a league. VERY few go professional, though.
Have fun!

Answer 8

A dart is thrown properly if and only if it's pointed end punctures a fat American ***.

Answer 9

You have to focus really hard on the bulls eye and clear your mind with all thoughts and just look at the bulls eye TRUST ME IT WILL WORK

Answer 10

practice throwing them with the point facing you they will turn around before they hit the board... once you master that you will rule the other way