RELAX Your Throwing Style

[Dorian]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I know we are all trying to get better at this game, most of us have spent numerous hours trying to get more consistency. We know we've got most of it right some of the time, with our stance, grip, aim etcetera, but here's something new I'd like you to try.
But before I get to the details lets go back to the times when darts was played with and sometimes for a beverage. Yes in the early days beer and darts went together like salt and pepper and when players had a few they relaxed and some actually played a bit better. Of course there's was a limit and when the drink got too much some players relaxed to the point of falling over.

Now, critically I'm definitely not advocating drinking at all here but if you can master the art of relaxing your throwing style properly you can improve your game tremendously.

Look at the throwing action of the greats like John Lowe and Barney soooo smooth. Now study their facial expressions John hasn't really got one but Barney throws like he doesn't care, Paul Nicholson is another great to watch he throws too like he doesn't give a damn. What have these all got in common? their throw is Totally RELAXED, b****y obvious really there is no tension at all in the throw.... it is now purely hand to eye coordination only, the rest of their upper frame takes no part in it at all, the mind is in total control subconsciously, you've given it a task let it do it...don't think too much about it...it's a sort of non focused focus if you get my drift.

Ever wondered why sometimes you simply have to look nonchalantly at your double and then Lo and Behold it sails right in and then your conscious mind kicks in and the next throw is back to normal...sound familiar?

So try this and let me know what happens....before you pick up the darts though get your mind relaxed think Smooth Release take a few breaths and then think what the hell I'll give it a go.

Use you usual stance grip etc look at the target not too intensely even casually then throw like you couldn't give a ****. Don't worry about where the darts go initially then fine tune it as you go because its an attitude change that's needed not always the mechanics. Now relax your expression too... visualise Barney and Paul throwing. Then let them fly smoothly.

You need to relax to the point that your throw becomes as smooth as you can possibly make it. Importantly its only a small amount of relaxation you need to employ.

Go on give it a go you've got nothing to lose but the tension in you arms, shoulders, back, head etc etc.

Note if your darts miss the boards perhaps you've taken it a bit too far!

It may not work for a little while but if you can get the hang of it you will get more consistent which will in turn make you more relaxed,...a win win.

Cheers,

Dorian

[*Saber*]

A very good post and something which does work for me. If I try too hard it hurts my game and thats a fact. Take a plus 1 from me. Its the kind of post that makes sense.

[Dorian]

A very good post and something which does work for me. If I try too hard it hurts my game and thats a fact. Take a plus 1 from me. Its the kind of post that makes sense.

Thank you for your own thoughts and kind words,

Cheers (Just an expression...doesn't mean I'm (necessarily) guzzling a beer! LOL)

Dorian

[*Saber*]

A lot has to do with nerves - Me that is over with lol.

[jamie373]

+1 good post and i agree .i've been practicing letting my subconscious take over the throwing and seems to be working

[Jimbo21]

Darts is a simple game and a lot of times the simplest sounding advice is the best advise. This falls into that category.

I rarely drink any more, so I use breathing to keep myself relaxed. But I must admit, when I do have a beer, the darts will flow for 6 to 7 beers. I can up my usual average by 3 -4 points per dart.

+1 from me to Dorian.

[rabsmith2]

If I try to hard the wife complains Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[Getagrip]

Great post Dorian +1 from me too. I agree totally, its something I experience often when I am trying too hard my arm, fingers, wrist seem to stiffen and my throw is so jerky the dart comes out all wrong and I can even miss the board sometimes, I thought I was showing the first signs of dartitis but I think its because I was thinking too much about each part of my throw.

The last 2 days I have been relaxing more and not worrying so much about where the dart lands but just throwing and its working!

[DIRTY G]

+1 from me too D
I like to call it lazy darts, like you cant even be bothered to throw them, or early morning darts as I am a smoker and have a board outside I will wake up on the weekend make a coffee and go outside for a smoke and throw some dart's, Still with sleep in my eyes I pick my darts up and lazily throw them and they always find a bed of twenties, the next couple of throws I start to hone in on the 60 and once I start hitting a few big scores and wake up a bit and start trying it all goes down hill. I could not tell you how many max's I have thrown first thing in the morning with sleep in my eyes and without any warm up all due to the fact that I cant be botherd throwing darts and do it lazy.

This lazy style is half the reason why I went to a 26g dart as you don't have to force them to the board you get a nice smooth stroke, I think the slower the stroke the easier it is to get the same release point.

Another good technique is to imagine a full pint of beer on your head and try not to spill it. <---you get to drink more of it then

This is a good one to use on your wife or girlfriend if you want a slap in the face, tell them to try and throw the dart without making the fat on there arms wobble. lol

Oh and D, they are still coming lol

[Dorian]

[quote='DIRTY G' pid='27200' dateline='1378891797']
+1 from me too D
I like to call it lazy darts, like you cant even be bothered to throw them, or early morning darts as I am a smoker and have a board outside I will wake up on the weekend make a coffee and go outside for a smoke and throw some dart's, Still with sleep in my eyes I pick my darts up and lazily throw them and they always find a bed of twenties, the next couple of throws I start to hone in on the 60 and once I start hitting a few big scores and wake up a bit and start trying it all goes down hill. I could not tell you how many max's I have thrown first thing in the morning with sleep in my eyes and without any warm up all due to the fact that I cant be botherd throwing darts and do it lazy.

This lazy style is half the reason why I went to a 26g dart as you don't have to force them to the board you get a nice smooth stroke, I think the slower the stroke the easier it is to get the same release point.

Another good technique is to imagine a full pint of beer on your head and try not to spill it. <---you get to drink more of it then

This is a good one to use on your wife or girlfriend if you want a slap in the face, tell them to try and throw the dart without making the fat on there arms wobble. lol

Oh and D, they are still coming lol


Thanks, Dirty G,

You've got it exactly!!!

[*Saber*]

This is a good one to use on your wife or girlfriend if you want a slap in the face, tell them to try and throw the dart without making the fat on there arms wobble. lol
And Dirty G's still breathing ! Amazing hahahahaha

[brenthahn]

Great post. Thanks.

[Catch22]

Great read. I think physically you need to be relaxed, but mentally, you need to be focused 100%. My best games really come when I'm buzzing, to full-on cut. Really, I throw better the drunker I get. It mystifies me and my friends. I mean I'm full on blasted, and I'm pounding triples.

[Dorian]

Great read. I think physically you need to be relaxed, but mentally, you need to be focused 100%. My best games really come when I'm buzzing, to full-on cut. Really, I throw better the drunker I get. It mystifies me and my friends. I mean I'm full on blasted, and I'm pounding triples.

Hi Catch22,

I hear what you say about the focus I suppose its also a bit like golf, when putting, the focus on the target has to be there but the aim is to deliver and feel that the stroke is as smooth as possible.

Thanks very much for your thoughts on the subject.

Cheers,

Dorian

[DIRTY G]

My best games really come when I'm buzzing, to full-on cut. Really, I throw better the drunker I get. It mystifies me and my friends. I mean I'm full on blasted, and I'm pounding triples.

One of the lucky ones!!!
A veritable Jokey Wilson
I have to stop after four pints, Its a cruel world.