Dart Throwing Mistakes: 9 Fixes for Better Accuracy

If your darts feel different every turn, you're not alone. Most players don't plateau because they "lack talent" - they plateau because one or two small dart throwing mistakes keep showing up under pressure.

This guide breaks down nine common mistakes and how to fix each one fast. If you want cleaner throws and tighter groupings, these are the highest-impact changes to make first.

Why Small Mistakes Cost Big Points

Darts is a repeatability game. A tiny change in wrist angle, release timing, or body position can move your dart by multiple segments by the time it reaches the board.

That is why good players look "boring" at the oche. Their motion is nearly identical every throw.

If you need a full fundamentals refresher first, start with the stance, grip, and release guide, then come back and use this post as a troubleshooting checklist.

9 Dart Throwing Mistakes and How to Fix Them

1) Throwing Too Hard

What it looks like: Darts hit the board with force but scatter across numbers.

Why it hurts: Power adds tension and reduces control. Darts rewards precision, not speed.

Fix: Throw at about 70% effort for one full session. Focus on smooth acceleration and a relaxed hand.

2) Moving Your Body During the Throw

What it looks like: You lean, sway, or shift weight after drawing the dart back.

Why it hurts: Your release point changes every dart.

Fix: Lock your base before each throw. Keep feet planted and let only your throwing arm move. Film one turn from the side to confirm.

3) Changing Grip Every Few Throws

What it looks like: Finger placement drifts, or you squeeze tighter after a miss.

Why it hurts: Different grip pressure changes release timing and dart angle.

Fix: Pick one grip and keep it for at least 100 throws before judging it. If your release feels sticky, reduce pressure slightly instead of changing finger positions completely.

4) Dropping Your Elbow Early

What it looks like: Your elbow drops before the dart leaves your hand.

Why it hurts: The dart gets pulled downward and often lands low.

Fix: Think "elbow up until release." After release, finish with your fingers pointing at the target. A full follow-through keeps the line clean.

5) Aiming at "Area" Instead of a Specific Spot

What it looks like: You aim at the whole 20 wedge instead of one exact point.

Why it hurts: Broad aim creates broad outcomes.

Fix: Choose a micro-target every dart. Example: the top-left corner of single 20, not just "20." Precision in your eyes creates precision in your hand.

6) Rushing Between Darts

What it looks like: You fire dart two and three immediately after a miss.

Why it hurts: Emotion takes over and your routine disappears.

Fix: Rebuild the same pre-throw sequence every dart: set feet, set sight line, brief pause, smooth release. The pause can be one second; it just needs to be consistent.

7) Ignoring the Follow-Through

What it looks like: Your hand stops short or pulls back quickly after release.

Why it hurts: Short follow-through often means deceleration and poor direction control.

Fix: Hold your finish for a beat. Your fingers should end toward the exact target you aimed at.

8) Practicing Only T20

What it looks like: Decent scoring on one target, weak accuracy everywhere else.

Why it hurts: Real games require switching targets constantly, especially in Cricket and when setting up finishes in 501.

Fix: Add board-coverage drills from our accuracy drills guide and mix in game-like sessions from these solo practice games.

9) Never Practicing Doubles

What it looks like: You score well but struggle to close legs.

Why it hurts: In standard 501, you must finish on a double. Scoring without finishing wastes good turns.

Fix: End each practice session with a 10-minute doubles block. Start with D16, D20, and D10, then rotate around the board.

Quick Miss-to-Fix Cheat Sheet

Use this table when your darts start missing in patterns:

Left-handed players can reverse the left/right tendencies above.

A 20-Minute "Reset" Session

When your throw feels off, run this simple session:

1. 5 minutes: Easy throws at single 20 at reduced pace (70% effort)
2. 5 minutes: Three-dart grouping drill (ignore score, track spacing)
3. 5 minutes: Target-switching (single 20, 19, 18, repeat)
4. 5 minutes: Doubles block (D16, D20, D10)

Track one number only: how many turns had a tight three-dart group. That metric tells you if your mechanics are stabilizing.

How to Know a Fix Is Working

Do not judge progress by one hot or cold night. Use a two-week window and track:

• Grouping quality (tight, medium, scattered)
• Hit rate on a chosen single segment (for example, single 20)
• Doubles hit count per session (for example, hits on D16, D20, D10)

If two of those three improve, keep the change. If not, test the next likely fix from this guide.

Summary

Most dart throwing mistakes are small, repeatable habits: forcing power, rushing your routine, moving your body, or neglecting doubles. Fix those fundamentals and your scoring becomes more stable quickly.

Pick one mistake to fix this week, not all nine at once. Build consistency first, then stack improvements.

Ready to test the changes in real games? Start a new game on Dartsy and track your results over the next few sessions.