A recurring topic of discussion in darts is the ideal posture when throwing the ball . First of all, there is no such thing as "one" perfect posture, as evidenced by the sometimes differing opinions among professionals on this topic.
Some people stand sideways to the board , others with their toes , and still others lean forward . Nevertheless, there are a few things beginners should generally keep in mind to improve their throw.
The dart arm position should therefore always follow the same pattern , which we would like to present in more detail in this blog post.
In the end, it's not about the arm, the shoulder, or the posture, but the overall package. It's a tedious path to perfect dart throwing technique – but it's worth it!
Dart arm position – improve dart throwing technique
Darts throwing techniques can vary greatly. It's crucial that you adapt to your own unique throwing stance .
To throw darts correctly, it's pointless to try to imitate a throwing technique. However, your dart arm position should always be consistent, at least in terms of points .
The reason is that darts require an automated process in which you always carry out certain processes in the same way in order to improve your dart throwing technique and to throw straight and accurately.
It is very important when considering the dart arm position 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. Three things ultimately ensure your perfect throwing position.
- shoulder
- upper arm
- elbow
Only when all three aspects are in harmony can you develop a controlled throwing posture . For this reason, we'd like to address certain aspects.
First, however, we'd like to focus on the upper arm. Ultimately, the upper arm only responds to the position of the shoulder and elbow , as these are the two endpoints of the upper arm.
The most important thing for your upper arm is to keep it straight . You'll read how to do this in the next section regarding the elbow and shoulder.
Also of great importance: the calmness 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 achieve this by doing the following: Pay particular attention to keeping your elbow and shoulder aligned with the board . This is the only way to ensure that your entire upper arm is also straight.
This may feel strange at first, if you really pay attention to it. But over time, this feeling will subside, and you'll notice that your casting results will improve significantly .
But be patient, because such a process doesn't happen overnight. Only when you feel comfortable and fully commit to it will the entire process feel good.
But how do you tell if you're subconsciously holding your arm at a partial angle ? There are two ways to do this.
- Either you use a mirror that you place next to you
- or you can film your dart throwing technique to analyze it later.
If you notice that your dart posture is crooked, especially in relation to your arm, then adjust it .
The dart posture – too much body tension leads to cramping
Body tension is the be-all and end-all when playing darts.
But be careful: The motto "more is better" doesn't apply here. Dart posture is all about finding the right balance.
Darts places a particularly heavy strain on the back due to the constant strain on posture. It's no coincidence that many professionals, such as Gary Anderson and Mervyn King, complain of persistent back pain over time.
With the right muscle training and correct body tension, you can ensure correct posture.
It's important that your body tension isn't too extreme . If your body tension is too intense, your body will eventually tense up . Your body will signal this, especially in pressure situations when playing darts.
It's important that you don't let your arm relax, but also that you don't hold it too stiffly . Many dart players are familiar with this phenomenon, which ultimately prevents them from performing the usual dart motion.
Details make the difference in the dart movement – pull the wrist
If you want to improve your dart throw, it's the details that make the difference . If your elbow and shoulder are aligned, your upper arm will be as well.
If you now gain momentum by positioning your upper arm to your forearm at a 90-degree angle before releasing the dart, you have already internalized the basic rules of dart posture .
Now it is important to execute the throw correctly and, above all, completely.
This is where the wrist comes into play. Players often abort the dart throw prematurely by not fully engaging their wrist.
Expert tip: A mnemonic to help you remember this is to repeatedly point your finger at the target after each throw . This will ensure you're more likely to follow through with your wrist and execute the throw completely and correctly.
Bending the wrist before the throwing arm is fully extended is considered one of the most common mistakes , which beginners in darts often make.
The correct throwing technique as an interplay of many details
To learn a dart throwing technique, it requires time and patience . Because you will not succeed in doing it within a few weeks.
producing top performances on an assembly line – unless you have a terrific talent in your arm.
Rather, it is necessary to recognize and perfect the interaction between shoulder, upper arm, elbow and wrist .
Play with the four components and analyze your throws and your results . This will help you figure out which throwing technique suits you best and which doesn't.
Because: There are also players who never fully extend their arm, have a weak body tension or throw with feeling.
Beginners may not be prime examples, but they still show that darts is an individual sport in which every path can lead to success.
In the end, it's always a case of 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 here and start your journey to dartboard perfection!
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