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If you’ve ever picked up a set of darts and thought, “this should be easy,” only to see them scatter around the board, you’re not alone. Here at Throw For 180, we’ve been there ourselves, and we know exactly what it’s like.
Learning how to throw a dart the right way takes patience, consistency, and attention to technique.
The good news? With proper dart throwing form and a few simple adjustments, you can improve your accuracy and start hitting the target far more often.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the fundamentals of a dart throw, from aiming to follow through, plus some common mistakes and practice drills to help sharpen your game.
By the time you’ve read our darts tips in this article, you should be armed with everything you need to get on the dartboard and work on how to throw a dart.
Understanding the Basics of a Dart Throw
A dart throw may look simple, but it’s actually a combination of multiple small movements working together. Think of it as a smooth sequence:
- Aim – lining up your dart with the target.
- Throwing motion – controlled movement of the arm.
- Follow through – finishing the throw smoothly.
The goal isn’t to throw hard, darts are about accuracy, rhythm, and control. Power alone won’t get you that 180, but proper dart throwing technique will. This is something that many players struggle with, but the fact is that many pro darts players have a much softer throw than what amateurs do.
Step 1: Aiming the Dart
Aiming comes first with how to throw a dart and good accuracy begins before the dart even leaves your hand.
- Pick a focal point – Instead of just aiming for the board, focus on a single segment, like the treble 20. The smaller the target, the better your accuracy.
- Use your dominant eye – Many players naturally align their throw with their dominant eye. If you’re unsure which that is, try covering one eye at a time and see which gives you the clearest aim.
- Keep it steady – Avoid waving or adjusting the dart too much while aiming. A still setup makes for a smoother release.
Aiming is about setting yourself up to succeed before the throw begins. As you put together your home darts setup, make sure you don’t have anything close by that could distract you from your aim.
Step 2: The Throwing Motion
This is where most players struggle, especially beginners. A proper dart throwing technique is all about controlled movement.
- Elbow as the hinge – Your elbow should stay stable and act as the pivot point. The forearm does most of the movement, not the shoulder.
- Straight line motion – The dart should move in a clean, straight path toward the target. Sideways flicks or wrist twists can throw it off course.
- Smooth release – Don’t “push” the dart; instead, let it glide forward in rhythm.
- Controlled tempo – A rushed throw usually ends up off target. Find a pace that feels natural and consistent.
Think of your throw like a pendulum: steady, repeatable, and in rhythm, get this right and you’re on your way with how to throw a dart.
Step 3: The Follow Through
One of the most overlooked parts of learning how to throw darts accurately is the follow through.
- Hand points at the target – After release, your hand should naturally extend toward the spot you were aiming at.
- Don’t stop short – Cutting the motion too early can cause darts to dip or fall off target.
- Relax, don’t force it – A good follow through feels fluid, not stiff.
Watch professional players, their throws always finish with a natural follow through. That’s a big reason they can repeat the same motion over and over again with precision.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with good technique, small habits can get in the way of consistent accuracy with how to throw a dart. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Jerky movements – Sudden stops or forced throws often cause the dart to wobble.
- Leaning too far forward – Balance is key; over-leaning may give short term reach but hurts long term accuracy.
- Overthinking – Staring too long or adjusting your aim repeatedly usually leads to tense, inaccurate throws.
- Throwing with too much power – Darts don’t need force; they need control.
Correcting these mistakes can often improve your throw instantly. But don’t worry if you do them, they are very easy habits to fall into, many players have at least one of these issues to try and combat in their game.
Practice Drills to Improve Your Dart Throw
To make your throw second nature, practice is essential. On your quest for how to throw a dart, you will need to have time set aside to make yourself better. Try these drills to develop accuracy and rhythm:
- Slow motion throws – Focus on every stage of the motion, especially the release and follow through.
- Target small sections – Instead of aiming at the whole board, pick a single number or double ring and throw repeatedly.
- Repetition sessions – Throw in sets of 10 or 20 darts, focusing on consistency of form rather than score.
- Accuracy games – Challenge yourself with darts games that force you to hit specific segments, like Around the Clock.
Practicing with purpose builds muscle memory and makes proper dart throwing form feel natural. When you’ve chosen the perfect darts from our buying guides, it’s all about practice, practice, practice.
How to Throw a Dart: Conclusion
Mastering how to throw a dart with proper technique doesn’t happen overnight. But by focusing on your aim, throwing motion, and follow through, and avoiding the common pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to throwing with confidence.
Keep practicing, stay relaxed, and remember: it’s about accuracy, not power. The more consistent your technique becomes, the closer you’ll get to hitting those big scores.
And finally, if you want to keep up to date with everything happening in the world of darts then our latest news will bring you all of the big stories.