Why Steel Tip Darts?

The game of darts first appeared in England during the middle Ages. Soldiers would compete against each other by throwing steel arrows at a point marked on an overturned barrel. It is now a professional sport played the world over. While some players prefer the ease and general safety of soft tip darts, steel tip darts are preferred in both amateur and professional tournaments for their speed and accuracy.

About Steel Tip Darts

Steel tip darts are comprised of a sharp, steel point fixed to the end of a barrel and can weigh up to 50 grams. The best steel tip darts will typically weigh between 20 and 25 grams. Tungsten darts are preferred for their lightweight durability. Considered to be the best steel tip darts available, tungsten darts have a low density that allows for a closer grouping. This maximizes a player's scoring potential. A board comprised of tightly compacted bristle is used when playing with steel tip darts.

Board and Dart Rules

The Darts Regulation Authority governs the rules of steel tip dart play. Although different versions of the game are played worldwide, basic rules apply to all professional tournament play. The dartboard, measured from the floor to the bull's-eye, is to be installed at 5 feet 8 inches, and the throwing line should be marked 7 feet 9 ¼ inches from the board. Darts can weigh no more than 50 grams and could use either a fixed or movable point.

501 Rules

501 is the preferred dart game, played by both amateurs and professionals. The first player to reduce his score from 501 to zero is the winner. Players throw three darts each, and then subtract the total points scored. Darts that bounce off or miss the board do not score and are not re-thrown. Players must remove their darts from the board and tally their scores before the next opponent can throw. The game is won when a player reaches exactly zero by throwing a double. 501 is typically played in sets of three or five with a "best of" overall winner.

Throwing Techniques

Feet should be shoulder length apart with your body at a 50 to 90 degree angle with the board. Your front foot should be the same foot as your throwing hand with the majority of your weight resting on the front foot. The back foot is used for balance and neither foot should leave the ground during a throw. When throwing a dart, the elbow should remain in a fixed position until the arm begins moving. To achieve the perfect curve, your elbow should rise slightly when your arm is in forward motion. Your throwing shoulder should remain in a fixed position throughout the throw. Your focus should remain on the target from the beginning of the throw to the end. Bring the dart back a comfortable distance and do not accelerate too fast. The entire throw should be one fluid motion.

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How to Throw Darts: Technique, Grip, Stance and Throw

The following article explains the basic grip, stance and throwing techniques used in the game of darts. There are also tips on discovering what works best for you and how to develop your own style.

Basics of the Grip

Aim and Direct: The chief objective of your grip should be to keep the end of the dart pointing up in each throwing stage.

Solid and Relaxed: Your grip should be stable, firm and should not put tension on the muscles of your fingers. When your fingers become white or you have difficulty releasing the dart due to excess muscle tension it is an indication that your grip is excessively tense. Keep in mind that Darts is a not a game of force, but rather touch. To keep your touch, grasp the dart just tight enough so it will not slide and you can maintain control when speeding up for the throw. The most common error is gripping the dart too firmly rather than too loosely.

Use at Least Three Fingers. Using more fingers will provide more regulation and control of the dart when gathering speed, but it makes the release more difficult as you will have to coordinate more fingers together. Finger coordination is an important aspect of release in your grip.

Shape of Dart Barrel. Not all types of grips will be suitable or functional on different barrel types. Longer barrels require the use of more fingers, while shorter barrels may require fewer fingers. Not only do you need to discover the right grip for you, but you need to discover the barrel that's right for you as well.

Say No to a Fist. The fingers that are not included in your grip should stay comfortably spread apart from the fingers that are included. For example, if you are using four fingers when holding the dart and your smallest finger joins the other four, it will cause strain on the muscles of the other four fingers and will result in a poor release.

Stance and Throw

"Right Foot Forward" Stance. To better understand the stance, examine the position of a good player while they are aiming. Players set their eye, the dart and their target in a line. When a player makes a throw, he must try to maintain the movement of his arm in a plane of two dimensions. This decreases error by eliminating sideways movement of the arm.

Distribution of Your Weight. Your weight should rest chiefly on your forward foot while your rear foot holds adequate weight to thoroughly balance your posture. Keep in mind that, regardless of which weight distribution you use, your posture should be very firm and unshakable. The forward foot should constantly remain on the ground or floor.

Leaning. The more you lean your body forward, the closer you are to the board. Conversely, the farther you lean the more physically demanding and unbalanced your throw will become. If you bend forward excessively, it will result in back strains in the long run. Practice and try to find your own best position for throwing.

Balance. Lifting your leg when throwing is discouraged. Always keep your feet on the floor.

Torso. Your posture must ensure that your body is kept still during a throw.

Dart is a game of skill that requires constant practice on your part. You have to discover your own individual grip, stance and style of throw. Put it in your mind not to merely imitate the style of other dart players. You must discover your own style by yourself.

Try out the grips, stances and throwing styles of different individuals for the purpose of comparing and finding out which aspects are appropriate for you. Trying out various styles will also help you learn the technical connections between grip, stance and throw and enhance your skill. However, you should still find your own style, the one wherein you feel most comfortable and which results in improved playing. Achieve this through constant practice and keen observation of other accomplished or professional dart players. Look into their style of play and if you can use it with ease and comfort, then incorporate it into your own style.

Thomas Schude is the owner of Dart Brokers, an online dart supply store with a physical store in Aurora, IL, just outside Chicago.

You can buy dart supplies from Dart Brokers online store and learn more about darts with our dart techniques, tips and tricks articles.

Can't find the information or dart supplies you're looking for? Visit the Dart Brokers website and drop us a line! Thomas has been a dart player for over 20 years and takes pride in his unmatched degree of customer service, low prices and large selection.

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