How to Throw Darts: Stance, Grip & Release Guide

Whether you're picking up darts for the first time or looking to fix bad habits, proper technique is the foundation of consistent throwing. This guide breaks down the four key elements: stance, grip, aim, and release.

The Stance: Your Foundation

Your stance determines your balance and consistency. A stable base lets you focus entirely on your throw.

Finding Your Position

Stand with your dominant foot forward, touching or near the oche (throw line). Your front foot should point toward the board or slightly angled—find what feels natural.

Most players use an angled stance. It provides good balance while keeping your throwing arm aligned with the target.

Weight Distribution

Lean forward slightly with most weight (60-70%) on your front foot. Your back foot provides balance—some players barely touch it to the ground.

Keep Still

Your lower body should be completely still during the throw. All movement comes from your arm. If your body sways or your feet move, you're adding variables that hurt consistency.

The Grip: Control Without Tension

How you hold the dart affects release and accuracy. The goal is control without squeezing.

Basic Grip Principles

1. Use at least three fingers - Thumb plus two fingers minimum for stability
2. Grip the barrel - Hold the metal part, not the shaft or flight
3. Stay relaxed - Tension in your hand transfers to your throw
4. Find the balance point - Most players grip near the dart's center of gravity

Common Grip Styles

Three-finger grip: Thumb on bottom, index and middle finger on top. Simple and effective for most players.

Four-finger grip: Add your ring finger for more control. Good for heavier darts.

Pencil grip: Similar to holding a pencil. Natural for many beginners.

Finger Placement

Your fingers should all release the dart at the same time. If one finger "flicks" or releases late, it will push the dart off course. Experiment with finger positions until the release feels smooth.

The Aim: Eyes and Alignment

Aiming in darts is simpler than most people think, but it requires finding what works for your dominant eye.

Find Your Dominant Eye

Hold your thumb up at arm's length and center it on a distant object with both eyes open. Close each eye alternately—the eye that keeps your thumb centered on the target is your dominant eye.

If your dominant eye matches your throwing hand (right eye, right hand), alignment is straightforward. If they're opposite (cross-dominance), you may need to adjust your head position.

The Sight Line

Bring the dart up to your eye line. Many players position the dart so they can see the tip pointing at their target. Your eye, the dart tip, and the target should form a line.

Where to Look

Focus on your target, not the dart. Pick a specific spot—not just "the 20" but a particular point on the 20 segment. The smaller your target, the more precise your throw.

The Throw: Smooth and Consistent

The throwing motion should be simple and repeatable. Complexity is the enemy of consistency.

The Motion Breakdown

1. Set position - Dart at eye level, elbow at roughly 90 degrees
2. Draw back - Pull the dart back toward your face, keeping your elbow still
3. Accelerate forward - Snap your forearm forward, releasing at the front of the motion
4. Follow through - Your hand should point at the target after release

Elbow Position

Your elbow is the pivot point. It should stay relatively fixed during the throw—only your forearm moves. Think of your arm like a catapult: the base stays still while the throwing arm rotates.

The Release Point

Release the dart at the front of your throwing motion, as your arm extends toward the target. Release too early and the dart goes high; too late and it goes low.

The release should feel effortless. You're not pushing or flicking—you're letting the dart go at the right moment while your arm does the work.

Follow Through

After releasing, your arm should continue forward, fingers pointing at the target. A good follow-through indicates a smooth release. If your hand veers left or right, the dart probably did too.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Gripping Too Tight

Tension causes inconsistent releases. If your knuckles are white, you're squeezing too hard.

Moving Your Elbow

A wandering elbow means your dart can go anywhere. Keep it fixed as a pivot point.

Rushing the Throw

Take your time between darts. Rushing leads to sloppy technique. Develop a consistent rhythm.

Aiming with Your Arm

Your arm doesn't aim—your eyes do. The arm just executes what your brain has calculated. Focus on the target and trust your body.

Changing Too Much

Don't overhaul your technique after every bad throw. Make one small adjustment at a time and give it several sessions before judging.

Practice Routine for Beginners

Use this routine to develop consistent technique:

1. Warm up (5 minutes) - Throw at the 20 segment, focusing on smooth releases
2. Single number practice (10 minutes) - Pick one number and throw only at that target
3. Round the board (10 minutes) - Hit singles 1-20 in order
4. Doubles practice (5 minutes) - Aim for any double, tracking your hit rate

Finding Your Style

Every professional player has a slightly different technique. Phil Taylor had a quick, punchy throw. Michael van Gerwen throws hard and fast. Gary Anderson has a smooth, flowing motion.

The fundamentals in this guide apply to everyone, but the details—exact grip position, stance angle, throwing speed—are personal. Use this guide as a starting point, then adjust based on what produces consistent results for you.

Summary

Good dart technique comes down to four things:

• Stance: Stable, balanced, and still
• Grip: Controlled but relaxed
• Aim: Eye-line alignment with your target
• Throw: Smooth elbow-pivot motion with clean follow-through

Master these fundamentals and you'll have a reliable foundation to build on. The rest comes with practice.

Ready to work on your technique? Start a practice game on Dartsy and track your improvement over time.