You've probably already noticed that every player has a unique darts stance at the oche. There's a reason for this, as there's no such thing as a perfect stance for success in darts. Every throwing style is different, and your stance before the throw must be adjusted accordingly. In this article, we'd like to give you a few tips on how you can find the correct stance before the throw. We'll also discuss some specific players who stand at the oche differently than usual.
The exotics at the oche – Whitlock, Bunting & Co.
Certain top players have had to optimize their throwing style, especially their release point, over a long period of time in order to play darts at their best. Simon Whitlock is one of them. The Australian, like very few in his profession, stands toe-first at the oche. Most players, however, place their feet sideways to the oche , i.e., the throwing line.
Stephen Bunting also doesn't usually stand at the oche. He positions himself extremely far to the right of the oche to fire his light darts toward the triple 20. These players nevertheless enjoy great success on the PDC tour , demonstrating that there's no secret recipe for the perfect stance. Every player is different and has to find out for themselves what feels best.
Tips for the right darts stance at the oche
First and foremost, the basic rule for the correct stance when throwing darts: Always use the standing leg that is on the same side as your throwing arm. If you throw with your right, use the right standing leg, and do the same the other way around. We also recommend that you try out all possible positions at the oche. Place your foot sideways to the oche and then straighten it up. Stand to the right, left, or middle of the oche. You'll quickly get a feel for how best to get the darts into the desired zone. We've provided you with a short exercise (see image) to help you find your correct stance at the oche. You can find out more about this exercise here.
Even a slight lateral shift will increase the distance to the board slightly. This, in turn, requires a firmer throw. So, if you're comfortable with your darts but they regularly land millimeters above the triple 20, try positioning yourself a few centimeters further to the right or left. This will increase the distance slightly, so the darts tend to land further down the board. Maybe next time you'll be able to land the triple 20 instead of just below it.
How to notice that your darts stance is wrong
I had a problem myself for years. I always tried to stand straight to the board so I could make a straight throw. I felt like I could handle the 5-point segment at will, but the 20-point segment less so. Over time, I deliberately tried to position myself further to the right. At first, this was a very unusual feeling, which led me to change my throw. Over time, however, I became increasingly better at maintaining my old throwing style—and lo and behold, the arrows now landed in the 20-point segment much more often.
Control over the darts is also an important issue. If you feel like your stance isn't secure or stable, change your stance. Whether that's sideways or with the tip toward the oche—that's something you'll have to figure out for yourself. However, this is usually an automatic process that you subconsciously perform at the very beginning of your darts career to feel as comfortable as possible.
How do your darts fit in the board?
Also important for your stance at the oche is the way your darts are stuck in the board. Here's a quick example: If your darts are completely straight in the board, regardless of whether they're pointing up or down, you should also stand straight to the board. However, it's not uncommon for the darts to stick slightly sideways in the board despite the straight stance. You can also counteract this with a minimal change in your stance.
Never neglect the back foot!
One of the most common mistakes many dart players make is completely neglecting their back foot, not their standing foot, for the throw. After all, darts are all about repeating a movement as accurately as possible over and over again. Some players find this quite difficult because they have developed certain habits. One of these is bouncing or lifting off the back foot. This movement makes it extremely difficult to repeat the throw exactly.
Here, too, of course, exceptions prove the rule. One exception to this is the Scotsman John Henderson, whose entire upper body is in extreme motion with every single throw. However, this only works for very few players in the long run. Try to train yourself to stand firmly and firmly to avoid any movement. The point is to only move your arm. Otherwise, every part of your body should be tense enough to avoid unnecessary movement.
Remember: Over-exertion can also be harmful if it leads to a cramped posture . A healthy balance is the solution.
Train, train, train
Especially if you want to change your stance, it will take some time for your throwing behavior to adjust. So, it's quite possible that you won't see the desired results at first. That's when it's important to stick with it! With time and training, you'll notice that even minimal changes to your stance can lead to a significant improvement in performance. However, this also requires belief in your own abilities. Giving up is not an option!
Finally, it's important to emphasize that there's no one-size-fits-all foot position at the oche that guarantees success. We've now explained how you can optimize this stance. Now it's up to you to find the best throwing position.
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