4 Helpful Aiming Tips in Darts

Posted: 13.12.13 in Darts Performance Centre Blog category

We "aim" to help you play better darts! Our latest blog may do the same!

Those who want to improve at darts can emphasize a lot of different areas in practice and coaching. Naturally, throwing darts is a varied activity that involves a number of factors - throwing form, game rules, strategies, etc... All of these components add up to a good, technical darts player. But beneath it all, there has to be a foundation of excellent aiming technique and ability, which is why we thought we'd share some tips specific to this area.

Developing sound methods and practices for aiming will ultimately lay the groundwork for your darts game. So here are four ways to help you see the board and approach your target with the utmost accuracy.

1. Make Up Your Mind To Aim
This may sound like an unnecessary tip, but the fact is there's a tendency among many dart players to simply play "by feel" or without aiming. Of course, you'll have your lucky shots this way, and for some it may be fairly effective on a consistent basis. But developing technical form will always win out, which is why it's important to make up your mind to aim, and to learn how to perfect your aim.

2. Recognize Your Dominant Eye
Darts must be thrown from one side of the body or the other, and this should be decided according to your eyes. Everyone has a dominant eye, and figuring yours out is a valuable first step toward aiming accuracy. With that, we recommend heading to PetaPixel to figure out which of yours is dominant. In doing so, you'll see which eye you're more comfortable throwing with when the other is shut, and you'll be able to figure this out and start throwing with your dominant eye ahead, as the "lead."

3. Address Vision Needs Appropriately
Corrective vision is obviously necessary for any darts player with less than perfect natural vision, but choosing specifically between glasses and contacts is also important. The fact is, glasses can lead to a few issues for darts players. Not only can they easily become scratched or smudged, but the bright lights often surrounding dart boards can cause a bit of glare that is less than helpful. If these issues concern you, you can read up on switching to contact lenses at Acuvue online. There is information about daily disposable lenses, as well as making the switch in general, that could be of service to you if you think lenses will be more accommodating to your darts activity than glasses. Just keep in mind, the right vision solution will almost certainly result in the best aim.

4. Establish A Line Of Sight
Much like any shooting activity—firing a hunting rifle or even practicing archery—darts are thrown most accurately when you have a line of sight. And when it comes to suggestions for figuring this out, here are some helpful tips: Use the pinky finger of your throwing hand and/or try to line up the knuckles on your thumb. There are others out there, so you'll just need to find something that consistently works for you.

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TheDarts Performance Centre is a resource to assist dart players of all standards play better darts. The site is arranged as an online coaching manual. There is advice on technique, nerves, psychology, goal setting, practice games, an area to log your statistics and an interactive area where your darting questions are answered by two sports scientists, one with 30 years dart playing experience. You also get an invite to our free but exclusive members only events and acess to our members only darts coaching app! Membership is £25 per year!