develop a throw

Darts | Dart Games | Dart Rules

There are many factors envolved in how you throw a dart. Every one has a different throw. Every one has a different throw. Every one has a different throw.

Did you get that? Some people will try and tell you that you are doing something wrong unless they are a proffesional listen with half an ear, try what they are saying if it makes sense to you but do what feels comfortable to you even if it contradicts what they told you.

The only truly important factor about your throw is consistency. If you throw your darts with exactly the same movements every time you will be more accurate. If you miss just slightly off from where you wanted, you should not move, simply throw the next dart exactly as you threw the last with your aimed changed slightly and you should do fine.

Another important factor is having a smooth throw. Jerking your arm from your elbow or shoulder is a bad practice. Try to throw with a nice, smooth even motion and remember to follow through.

I am not going to preach anything else about how you should throw, you should make your own choices. How you grip the dart, stand at the line, aim your dart, move your arm, use your wrist, etc. will all affect your throw, but they are all very personal.
Just remember the one key: consistency.

How do you get consistant? PRACTICE

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a short history of darts

If you have ever wondered where it cmae from her ya go.

A Short History of Darts

A Brief History of Darts

The sport of darts began as training in the martial arts, (well, the martial art of archery). Darts began in Medieval England. Historians surmise, because they don't know for certain, that those teaching archery shortening some arrows and having their students throw them at the bottom of an empty wine barrel.

bottom of barrel
The fact that the bottom of an empty wine barrel was used is a clue to how the game developed into a pastime. It is thought that the soldiers took their shortened arrows with them to the local drinking establishment to both exhibit their skill and have fun at the same time. When the bottoms of wine barrels proved to be inconvenient or in short supply, some inventive dart thrower brought in a cross-section of a moderate sized tree.

The "board" provided rings, and when it dried out, the cracks provided further segmentation. This cracked and dried board began to evolve into what we think of as the current dart board.

A game as fun as darts could not be hidden from the upper classes and they soon put their own stamp on the game. The oft married Henry VIII was reputed to enjoy the game immensely. So much so, that he was given a beautifully ornate set by Anne Boleyn.

Like much of American History, the roots of darts in America can be traced to the Pilgrims. These hardy colonizers were reputed to have played the game on the Mayflower as it made its ocean crossing. It was then played avidly in America whenever leisure time was available.

However, darts remained largely an Anglo-American sport until the Victorian age when it was spread world-wide by the great expansion of the British Empire. It seems that the "sun never set on the British Empire". At the same time, there was never a time when a dart was not in the air. Many native populations were exposed to the game and found enjoyment in it.

Around 1900 the rules and darts began to settle into what they are today. Yet according to Christopher G. Carey, author of American Darts Organization Book of Darts, "The international throwing line of 7 ft. 9 1/4 inches was established in the 1970s to make it standard for international competitions; depending on the country (or at times, even the venue), the throwing line was anywhere from 7 ft 6 in. to 8 ft. Also, throughout the early part of the 20th century, there were many different types of dartboards until the 'clock' board became the standard...It really wasn't until after WWII that many of the rules of darts became standardized." Now people all around the world can enjoy the sport of darts in international competitions, in leagues, or in private parties and all be on an equal footing.

So the next time you put your toe to the line and raise a dart to the board, remember that there is a rich history behind this engrossing sport.

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