Darts has evolved into a competitive sport that demands precision, skill, and strategic thinking. To excel in this sport players must develop through practice routine that sharpen their aim, boost their endurance and improve their Dart intelligence.
Round The Clock
The basic (and to my mind best) practice routine that all dart players can use at any level is round the clock, for a beginner this may take up the complete allotted practice session time for the advanced dartist it will be the warm-up before tackling harder routines.
For the beginner try to hit each number starting at 20 and moving clockwise round the board (so aiming to hit 1 followed by 18 then 4 then 13 and so on), this will help you learn to make smaller changes to your throw as your brain and muscles learn how to sync your aim.
For more experienced thrower you jump about the board from 20 to 19 then 18 etc counting down to 1. To increase the difficulty level you can make the target doubles or trebles only, or possibly having to hit a single a double and a treble on each number.
Hit The Bullseye
A great way to improve your aim is to simply aim for a particular spot and keep throwing at it for your whole session. Aiming for the bull and throwing a hundred darts over a half hour, while possibly quite boring (!) will do wonders to improve your aim. To make it slightly more interesting you can play against a friend and try to hit a certain number of bulls - if you are competing against a better player perhaps restrict them to the double, while you get a point for both bulls.
Random Number Out
It is great to practice the more common check-outs, however an area where you can get caught out in competitive play is when you're faced with an unusual/rare check out which you are not used to seeing. To avoid this pick a number at random under 180 and try and check-out in with the fewest throws possible, but don't spend too long working out the route - then after you have thrown check what the optimum throws should have been; this will really help your calculation speed and to make the decision process second nature.
Other Routines And Ideas
There are a huge number of different routines to help keep your practice fresh and interesting, there are also a number of Dart apps/programs you can use to play against invisible opponents or to help change up your practice session to stop it becoming a chore!
Regular Practice Sessions
Consistency in your throwing technique is crucial. Dedicate time each day to practice, focusing on your stance, grip, and release. Regular sessions will lead to muscle memory, making your throws more natural and accurate. However do not over do it, more is not always better! At a certain point even the best player will get tired and annoyed, mistakes will increase and it will get harder to feel happy with your progress. The goal is to become better, but also to enjoy yourself.
Track Your Progress
Keep a record of your scores and progress. Use apps or a simple notebook to track which numbers you’re hitting most frequently and which need more work. This data-driven approach will guide your practice sessions and highlight areas for improvement.
Practice Makes Perfect
The road to darts mastery is paved with disciplined practice. By incorporating these routines into your daily regimen, you’ll see a marked improvement in your game. Remember, the goal is not just to play darts, but to play darts exceptionally well.Incorporate these routines into your practice sessions, and you’ll notice a significant improvement in your game. Remember, practice makes perfect, and with darts, it’s no different. Aim high, stay focused, and enjoy the journey to becoming a darts champion!