In the previous article, we discussed the necessity to practice arm stroke. A darter’s stroke is without doubt one of the most important attributes they have, and usually does not improve without deliberate practice. Improvement happens best and quickest when you practice, since it allows learning to occur away from competitive events. Stroke fits in with the next subject matter, setting up. ‘Setting up’ is my term for all of the physical things that a darter does before each shot. Setting up improves your chances of making good shots. It also is a ritual that you do each time you shoot. The psychological benefits are almost as important as technical advantages.

For this article I am describing the Setting Up process using the following sequential activities: Deciding Shot Selection, Stance, Grip, Aiming, and Stroke. Although I’m talking about these activities separately, they should blend together and flow from one to another. Since the last article focused on the many aspects of Stroke, I’ll not take any time talking about it. Please note that these observations are from my experience and reason. All of us have different physical characteristics and internal make-up and there is not ONE answer that works for everyone. Therefore, I ask that you not get hung-up on something I suggest if it does not work for you. When you try out various set up techniques, apply these two criteria: economy of motion (don’t waste energy with unnecessary motions), and use what works (if something doesn’t work consistently, try something different).

Each time you play or shoot there is a very important step to take before getting into your stance; that is THINK about what you are going to do with all three darts and Decide a course of action before moving to the oche (toe line). Many times darters are in a big hurry to throw and rush right to the line to throw. To become an excellent player, you must analyze each game situation, determine what you need to do next, and think about what to do if you do not hit your intended target (including triples & doubles). For both cricket and the ’01 games, you have to assess where you are in the game, where your opponent is, and what throws will put you in the most favorable position. Doing this before you go to the line helps you to concentrate on making your shots, so that you are not distracted and your throwing rhythm is not broken by the need to think too much.

Next, find your Stance. Although there are many possible stances, I want to suggest a couple that I believe are most helpful. The angle that you face from the oche line to the dart board is one of the most important physical elements that determine how easy or hard it is for you to hit your target. I recommend that players line their lead foot (the foot that is on the same side as their aiming eye and their dominant hand) either parallel to the oche line, or at a 45^o angle to the line. The reason for lining up this way has to do with human body construction, or kinesiology (the science of how the body will and will not move). When standing this way you make it easy to line up your aiming eye, you shoulder, your elbow and forearm, and your dart with the dartboard target. These stances also provide the best method of balancing your body, while isolating your forearm to throw the dart from your elbow. In other words, you make it easier to throw your dart, while eliminating any unwanted movements or engaging extra muscles. As I mentioned in the last article on Stroke, holding your body completely still and moving only your forearm and elbow are key to making repeatable and accurate shots.

Whatever angle you decide on, most throwers choose to lean slightly forward. Leaning forward or standing up straight are equally okay. The important points are that you feel well balanced and maintain an angle to the target that requires little adjustment. Leaning affects the shot height on the dart board, while the angle of your stance helps to align your shots left and right. If either of these are askew, you will find yourself trying harder and using more muscles to make your shots. If one of your shots hits left or right of your target, but your shot seemed correct, try moving your stance angle slightly toward the target.

Grip is a very important throwing element, but also one of the hardest to master. In general, fewer points of contact between your throwing hand and the dart are better. The standard grip uses three fingers, with the thumb and forefinger pinching the dart, and the middle finger acting as a steady guide. The dart should be griped lightly. If a darter holds their dart tightly, chances are they will get unnecessary arm muscles involved in their shot, making it harder to hit the target consistently. The thumb and forefinger grip the dart at the "balance point" of the dart, keeping these two fingers directly across from one another. When the thumb and forefinger are not directly opposing, the dart will fly and land at a left/right angle. Holding the dart too far back or forward changes the vertical angle that the dart enters the board; it also negatively affects the darts aerodynamics in flight. Remember these two preceding points when examining the way your darts enters the dart board and make any needed adjustments.

The next step, Aiming, is certainly the most critical of all. Once in your stance, turn your head so that there is a straight line from your aiming eye to the target. It helps immensely to keep your head up and your body as straight as possible. The target you choose should be very specific. Don’t aim at an area (like the twenty wedge); aim at a point on the wedge or target as small as you can see or imagine. By doing so, you enable your brain to focus and give yourself the best chance of hitting that target. Now that you have the target in sight, bring your shoulder, elbow and hand (dart) in line with your line of sight to the target. Make this alignment with your peripheral vision, so that you don’t take your eye off the target. Align until it seems right to you, then make your stroke. Don’t take the shot until you feel the alignment is correct. Mediocre players will take their shots before they can see the shot lined up. They do this because they are unfocused, feel uncomfortable at the line, or feel that their opponent is winning and there is nothing they can really do to win. This is known as "Giving Up." The best players don’t shoot until they feel relatively confident that their shot will hit the target. I call this "Standing Up."

All The Best,

Charles Bradish