An exciting topic of discussion in the field of darts is always the ideal posture when throwing . First of all: There is no “one” perfect posture, as the sometimes different opinions of the professionals on this topic prove.
One stands sideways to the board , the other with the tip of his toe , and others bend forward . However, there are a few general things that beginners should keep in mind to improve their throwing.
The dart arm position should therefore always follow the same pattern , which we would like to introduce in more detail in this blog post.
In the end, it's not the arm, the shoulder or the posture that matters, but the overall package. It's a arduous journey to perfect dart throwing technique - but it's worth it!
The dart arm position – improve dart throwing technique
The throwing technique for darts can look very different. It is very important that you get used to your own throwing position .
In order to be able to throw darts correctly, there is no point in imitating a throwing technique based on cramp. The dart arm position should always be the same, at least in certain points .
The reason is that darts rely on an automated process in which you always carry out certain processes in the same way in order to improve your dart throwing technique and throw both straight and in a targeted manner.
What is very important when considering the dart arm position is that it is not independent of other parts of the body when playing darts.
From the shoulder to the fingertips, a motor sequence ultimately ensures a comfortable and individual throwing position in the arm. In the end, three things ensure your perfect throwing posture.
- shoulder
- upper arm
- elbow
Only when all three points are in harmony can you develop a controlled throwing posture . For this reason we would like to go into certain things.
But first we would like to look at the upper arm. Ultimately, the upper arm only reacts to the position of the shoulder and elbow , as these are the two end points of the upper arm.
The most important thing for the upper arm is that you keep it straight or straight . You can read how this works in the next section regarding the elbow and shoulder.
Also of great importance: the rest of the shoulder and the angle of the elbow
As already mentioned, a straight upper arm posture is the first step for a good darts arm.
You can do this in the following way. Pay particular attention to ensuring that your elbows and shoulders are aligned in a straight line with the board . This is the only way to guarantee that the entire upper arm is straight.
This may feel strange at first if you really pay conscious attention to it. Over time, this feeling will subside and you will notice that your casting results will become significantly better .
But be patient, because such a process doesn't happen overnight. Only when you feel comfortable and fully commit to it does the entire process feel good.
But how do you see if you are subconsciously holding your arm partially crooked ? There are two options for this.
- Either you use a mirror that you place next to you
- or you can film your dart throwing technique in order to analyze it afterwards.
If you notice that your dart posture is crooked, especially with your arm, adjust it .
The dart posture – too much body tension leads to cramps
Body tension is essential in darts.
But be careful: the motto “a lot brings a lot” doesn’t apply here. Darts posture is about finding the right balance.
The back in particular is put under massive strain when playing darts due to the constant strain on your posture. It's not for nothing that a number of professionals like Gary Anderson and Mervyn King complain about persistent back pain over time.
With the right muscle training and the correct body tension, you can ensure the correct posture.
It is important here that the body tension is not too extreme . Because if the body tension is too enormous, the body will tense up at some point . Your body will signal this to you, especially in pressure situations when playing darts.
It is therefore important that you do not let your arm loosen but also that you do not hold it too stiffly . Many dart players are familiar with this phenomenon, which ultimately means that the usual dart movement sequence can no longer be carried out.
Details make the difference in the dart movement sequence - pull your wrist through
If you want to improve your dart throwing, it's the details that make the difference . If the elbow and shoulder are straight, so is the upper arm.
If you now gain momentum by positioning your upper arm to your forearm at a 90 degree angle before throwing, you have already internalized the basic rules of dart posture .
Now it's important to execute the throw correctly and, above all, completely.
This is where the wrist comes into play. When using their dart throwing technique, players often stop the throw prematurely by not pulling their wrist completely .
Expert tip: A mnemonic to internalize this is, for example, to repeatedly point your finger at the target after a throw . This is the best way to make sure that you tighten your wrist and execute the throw completely and correctly.
Bending the wrist before the throwing arm is straight is one of the most common mistakes that beginners in darts often make.
The correct throwing technique as an interaction of many details
Learning a dart throwing technique requires time and patience . Because you won't be able to do that within a few weeks
Produce top performances on the assembly line - unless you have a great talent on your hands.
Rather, it is necessary to recognize and perfect the interaction between the shoulder, upper arm, elbow and wrist .
Play with the four components and analyze your throws and your results . This is the best way to find out which throwing technique suits you perfectly and which doesn't.
Because: There are also players who never fully pull their arm through, have a loose body tension or throw with feeling. There are for
Beginners are not prime examples, but they show that darts is an individual sport in which every path can lead to success.
In the end, the following always applies: practice, practice, practice to automate the perfect throwing technique and the perfect arm position.
Learn the best techniques and proven tips that will make you a darts champion. Click in now and start your journey to perfection on the dartboard!
- Warm up before darts like a professional: You can only find tried-and-tested tips and exercises here with us. Click in now and warm up!
- Broken dart tip ? You can find quick help here. Including helpful tips and step-by-step instructions. Click in now and find out more!
- The art of Tournament planning : Find out in our guide how to set up professional dart tournaments. Including tips from a professional!
