Short answer: To get better at darts, make your throw repeatable: the same stance, a relaxed grip, a still body and a full follow-through on every dart. Use darts that suit you, practise drills you can score, and fix one fault at a time. Most beginners improve fastest by changing less.
By Andy Gibson · Updated 17 October 2026
How do you stand at the oche?
There are three common stances, and none is wrong. Pick the one you can repeat exactly:
- Side-on. Lead foot parallel to the oche, shoulder, hip and foot lined up with the board. Popular with professionals.
- Middle. Front foot angled at about 45°, body partly turned. The most common compromise.
- Front-on. Facing the board square. Lines up the eye and arm, but limits how far you can lean.
Whichever you choose, put most of your weight on the front foot, keep the back foot on the floor and keep your upper body still while you throw. Mark your front-foot position on the mat so it is the same every visit.
Check your setup too. Under Darts Australia's rules, the bull should be 1.73 m from the floor and the oche 2.37 m from the face of the board. Practising at the wrong distance trains the wrong throw. Our dartboard guide has a diagram.
How should you hold a dart?
Most players use three fingers, with the thumb underneath and two fingers on top; some use two or four. Hold the dart firmly enough to control it, but don't squeeze. A tight grip stiffens the fingers and makes the release uneven.
Where you hold the barrel depends on its shape and grip. Beginners usually do best holding near the middle. If your fingers slip, try a barrel with a stronger grip pattern or a little grip wax before you change anything else.
What is the correct throwing action?
Keep it simple. Only the forearm, wrist and hand should move:
- Aim with the dart near eye level and your elbow still.
- Draw back towards your face, along the same line every time.
- Release as your arm nears full extension.
- Follow through with your arm extended and your fingers pointing at the target.
The elbow is the anchor. If it drops or swings, the dart goes high or wide.
How do you aim at a dartboard?
Aim with your dominant eye and look at the target, not the dart. To find your dominant eye, take your stance and draw the dart back, then close each eye in turn: one eye sees the dart lined up on the target, the other doesn't.
Pick a precise spot, not just "the treble 20", and hold your eyes on it until the dart lands. Our darts psychology guide explains why that final, steady look matters under pressure.
What weight darts should you use, and do heavier darts fly straighter?
Heavier darts hold a steadier line and need less force; lighter darts need a faster, smoother throw. Neither is straighter by itself. Red Dragon's buying guide says most players settle between 21 and 24 g, and a straight barrel in the low 20s is the usual starting point for beginners.
Try a lighter and a heavier set over a full game before you decide. Once you've found a weight that feels right, stop changing it. Browse darts by weight: 21 g, 22 g, 23 g, 24 g.
What are the most common darts mistakes?
If you aren't improving, it's usually one of these:
| Mistake | What it does | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Gripping too tight | Stiff fingers, uneven release | Firm but relaxed; the dart should leave the hand cleanly |
| Dropping the elbow | Darts go high or scatter | Keep the elbow at the same height; check it in a mirror |
| No follow-through | Darts fall short and drift | Finish with the arm extended, fingers at the target |
| Moving the body | Every dart starts from a different place | Weight on the front foot, upper body still |
| Throwing too hard | Tension and a jerky release | Smooth tempo; let the dart's weight do the work |
| Changing darts or setup too often | Nothing becomes consistent | Settle on one set and one stance for at least a month |
| Only practising the 20 | No doubles when it counts | Spend about half your practice on doubles |
| Practising without a score | No way to tell if you're improving | Use drills you can count, and write the numbers down |
Fix one at a time. Change two things at once and you won't know which one worked.
How should you practise to get better?
Short, frequent sessions with a target and a score. A 30-minute session most days beats a long one each weekend. Our darts practice routine guide has a session plan and the drills to use.
A proper setup at home helps: a mat with the oche marked so the distance never changes, and good light on the board.
Choose your option
Choose your option
Is a 50 dart average good?
It's a solid start. Shot rates 17 to 20 points per dart, a 3-dart average of 51 to 60, as pub level, and 20 to 23 points per dart (60 to 69) as a solid local player. Work out your average as points scored ÷ darts thrown × 3, and track it every week.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get better at darts quickly?
Settle on one stance, grip and set of darts, then practise 20 to 30 minutes most days with drills you can score. Fix one fault at a time.
Is there a trick to throwing darts?
No trick: a still body, a relaxed grip, a steady elbow and a full follow-through, repeated the same way every time.
Why am I not improving at darts?
Usually because something keeps changing (darts, stance, grip) or because practice has no target or score. Keep the setup fixed and measure your drills.
Do heavier darts fly straighter?
Not by themselves. Heavier darts hold a steadier line and need less force; lighter darts suit a faster, smoother throw.
What weight darts should a beginner use?
Most players settle between 21 and 24 g. A straight barrel in the low 20s is a good starting point.
Which eye should I aim with?
Your dominant eye. Close each eye in turn at the oche; the one that keeps the dart lined up on the target is dominant.
How far is the oche from the dartboard?
2.37 m from the face of the board, with the bull 1.73 m from the floor.
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