Practice

Why Practice?
Warming up
High Scoring
Doubling out
Bulls
Counting/Set up shots
Cricket

Darts is a throwing game where small, pointy missiles are thrown at a circular dartboard fixed to a wall. It’s kind of funny when you think about it. A bunch of people in a crowded bar, drinking and throwing pointy objects. It's time to test your aim with the classic pub game of throwing sharp, pointy things at the wall. Featuring tournaments, quick matches and Round the Clock, this is the ultimate darts challenge.

See full list on darts501.com. A well planned practice session can focus on areas that a player needs to improve on, it can motivate the players taking part and be tailored to suit different types of practice (solo, with a partner) as well as being time specific in order to be built around a dart players other commitments (like having to go to work or school for example).

It is only in exceptional circumstances that the above is true. For the rest of us mere mortals we shall have to accept 'practice makes better!'. As with everything else the more we practice, the more we can develop our skills and maintain a higher more consistent performance. Darts is no exception. Whilst, most of us prefer playing a game or two, with friends or family, at home or down the local pub there will be times by yourselves which can be used to practice.

We often will warm up, prior to starting a game. Depending on the time available their are several quick drills which you can use to warm up. There are several elements to a game of darts which can be practiced in only a few minutes. The key is to focus on every throw to prepare for the game to follow.
You will need to experiment to find what works for you, but this is what I do.

1. I will take two or three throws at the bull. The focus is to loosen up my arm and shoulder. By aiming at the bull I can quickly assess my throwing technique. Am I pulling the darts to the left, pushing to the right, releasing the dart to early or throwing to hard (the darts will be high) or snatching or tensing up (causing the darts to be pulled down).
2. When I am comfortable with my throw I will focus on the 20's for three or four shots. This is the only warm-up that most people do!
3. I will switch to 19's to practice scoring when an odd number is required to set up a finish or when it is necessary to switch after blocking the triple 20.
4. Practice doubles. I always start at double 16 as this is one of my preferred even doubles. Then I will go to double 10 and then back to double 20. Next I will aim 1 dart each at three different doubles at different parts of the board. Most set-up shots require you to move around the board and to be successful you have to be confident in hitting a particular number first time.
5. Never practice double 1. This is conceding defeat and shows a lack of confidence in hitting any other double on the board!
6. If I still have time left, I will pick numbers at random, and try to finish in 3 darts, correcting and adjusting accordingly if I miss a shot en-route.
7. If diddling, my last three darts are thrown at the bull.

Dart players of average ability spend most of their time aiming at triple 20 or triple 19 (depending on whether they prefer the top or bottom of the board). Beginners can score lower though more consistently on the bottom-left of the board.
I practice by throwing 5 or 10 sets of darts at the T20. Count the number of 20's scored (doubles count 2, triples 3), the number of tons, or total points scored (including misses). Set a standard to beat or try to improve on a personal best.

If you can't hit a double you can't win!. Whilst consistent high scores are signs of a good dart player, the double is more critical. Many a good leg have been thrown away by missing shots at a double.
There are several practice drills which can be used:

• Round-the-board - Start at x1, then x2 and so on till x20 and DB (double-bull). Count the number of darts required to finish.
• Round-the-board, top down - As above but start at x20, go down to x1 and then DB. I prefer this as we usually intend to finish on the higher value doubles and only use x1 as a last resort.
• Throw 3 darts at each double in turn and count how many hits are made. This is quicker then either of the above, plus it doesn't suffer from the negative of getting stuck on an ugly double.

Often neglected as 'too hard' we often start games by 'diddling' to determine who shoots first but once started ignore the bull for the rest of the game. However as your darts improve the bull can become a valuable asset as it is the highest double. Consider 90 - most people will try T18-D18, however if a single 18 is scored that leaves 72 with two darts. By using the bull we can go 20-20-DB giving a shot at or double without hitting a triple. Alternatively we can try DB-x20, since an outer bull still leaves single 15 for DB finish.
Consider the following practice drills

• Throw 5 or 10 sets of darts at the bull - count the number of bulls hit (centre counts 2), and try to beat a predetermined target or your personal best.
• Count the number of consecutive visits to the board scoring at least one bull.

Players of all abilities can easily improve their game, without throwing any better, simply by counting. For example, when approaching a finish (i.e. below 100) is your score odd or even. All doubles are even! So do you need an odd number (consider the 7-19-3-17 sector) or do you need to stay even (16-8 or 10-6). Before selecting a set-up shot think through what you will do if you miss. Maximize your chances by giving yourself a second chance. For example, on 46 most people would go 14 to leave double 16. However the 14 is surrounded by odd numbers. Alternatively if you aim for 6-10 you have twice the area to aim for to leave a double (D20 or D18).

• 170 - Starting at 170 continue as if playing a normal game. Do not use the chalkboard but keep a mental track of the score (good practice!). As you come down select and practice set-up shots to leave preferred even doubles.
• 101 - As above but start with a double.
• Pick a number at random (usually in range 40-80) and try to finish in three darts.

Cricket is a game with several variations, but usually involves scoring on the numbers 15 to 20 plus the bull, the idea being to hit three of a number to enable you to score points before your opponent hits three to close the number. Highest score wins. A variation often called 'Tactics' has the Doubles and Triples added as separate scoring categories.

This is an excellent game for practicing darts as it focuses your darts on several areas of the board. It is also very popular with beginners as you do not need to hit a double to finish.

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Game Pigeon Darts Practice Drills

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