Getting Started
How to choose the exact darts for you can be a wonderful life long journey. The chances are you won’t get it right first time, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be top of your priority list. Your main aim at this point would be to just acquire a set of darts, get a dartboard and get throwing.
After a while, once you’re familiar with your grip, your stance and your throwing action, you have a decision to make as to whether you feel the darts you’ve acquired are comfortable for you, or whether to have a further browse around for more “high-class” darts.
Remember, when initially starting out, the best thing to do is experiment; you can experiment with different shafts and flights, until mentally you know which are right for you. You’ll never know unless you try. Your ultimate decision could be based on the standard of which you’re throwing at with different sets, and/or simply the fact that the old light bulb has gone off in the head, saying, “Yes These are the ones” Once you’ve made this decision, stick with your conclusion in order to give both you and your darts a fair chance of settling down.
Another point to note is that as you progress and meet fellow dart players, their style and set of darts could be very different to yours. This is not a bad thing. Every dart player is different – you’ll never see two styles the same. This is why there is such a broad range to choose from, in every aspect of the market, because what is good for one may not be good for the other. Have confidence in what you’ve chosen, and if your darts are flying straight and true, there is no reason to change it.
Dartboard types
The standard dartboard consists of 20 segments, with the single, double and treble scoring segments, along with the 25 green area in the middle and the Bullseye. Each dartboard is designed to try and make it unique in the market, and you’re obviously looking for the highest quality possible to aid your darting prowess. The dartboards in our range are manufactured to reduce bounce-outs and maximise the chances of scoring that elusive 180 and hearing the “Game Shot” call in your favour. We have many dartboards in our range, and strongly recommend Winmau dartboards as the best in world.
Oche & Set Up
It’s an elementary basic, but one that people sometimes don’t get right. Measurements must be exact to normal playing standards; otherwise there’d be no point in practicing at all. Standard regulations define the board must be fastened on the wall so the centre of the Bullseye is exactly 5ft 8 inches up from the ground. The throwing distance is from 7 ft 9 ¼ inches.
Ideally, you want to practice in an adequately sized room with sufficient space, in order to have the freedom you need. Somewhere where you’re not going to be disturbed too often can also be recommended, so you can concentrate all your efforts onto the dartboard.
Training & Practice
Probably the most important thing to maintain when chucking is to make sure your practice routine doesn’t stagnate. With 20 segments on the dartboard, there’s a lot to aim for. If you’re just consistently throwing at one target, it can become monotonous and boring, hence leading to de-motivation, and bad practice.
There are a number of games and challenges you can set yourself when playing, here are a couple for you to try:
Game 1 – Pinpoint Accuracy. You start shooting for the “single” area of each black number. Add one point for a hit and subtract one point for a miss. Once you reach eight points, move onto the doubles, and then to the trebles.
Game 2 – Bob Anderson 29’s. This game can majorly improve your accuracy on the doubles. You begin with 29 points and your first three darts are thrown at Double 1. Every double 1 scored is added to your score, should you miss double 1 the value of that double is subtracted from the 29 points, i.e. you score 2 double ones, score is added to the 29 making 33, you miss with all three darts at double one, the value of the double (2) is deducted from the 29 points = 27.
This is then repeated on every double on the board, including the Bullseye. Should you miss doubles and run out of points i.e. you’re on double 6 but only have 11 points and you miss double 6 hence not having enough points to continue (11- 12 leaves -1), the game is over.
There is a training aid, a DVD called ‘Play Better Darts’,
which in the words of PDC World Professional Darts Player, Alan Tabern;
“Excellent Darts training DVD – Thoroughly recommended” – which you may find under the “Useful Resources” section.
Enjoy your practice, enjoy the benefits of it, and take that mindset into your matches.
Useful resources
The DVD – “Play Better Darts” has generated positive press since its release. Alan Tabern stated “Excellent Darts Training DVD – Thoroughly recommended”. This product can be accessed via Youtube.
Champions Choice dartboard – For those of you confident enough to take on an even harder practice regime, they don’t come tougher than this. With reduced scoring segments and doubles, along with a half-size mini bull, this beast of a dartboard is the toughest nut to crack of all. Not for the faint-hearted, buy try it if you dare!
Dart Sharpeners – The worst thing to happen in your career would be to throw the winning championship dart – and it falls out because it’s too blunt. That nightmare can be avoided with these varieties of darts sharpeners.
Checkout scorecards – Don’t worry about that dreaded arithmetic any more, you’ll be comforted to know about these little scorecards detailing the recommended world-class checkouts.
