Unicorn

Shoes - Important
Yes I said shoes. Try and wear the same ones that you practice with at league. Trust me it makes a difference. Heres a tip from Andy Cornwall of Perfect Darts. FOOTWEAR

Now i am pretty sure this is something that you have never considered, and even if you have you probably think it doesn't matter that much...

I am talking about what do you wear on your feet to play darts..

Now it actually doesn't matter that much what you wear as long as you ALWAYS wear the same all the time.

What I mean is, it is no good practising at home in slippers then going to a match with your best shoes on, Nor is it any good practising in your shoes after work to then go to a match with your trainers on.
The reasons that it is bad are as follows:

Height difference: You may practise at home in your slippers ( about 1/4'' sole, then go out in trainers 2'' sole ) there are many different combinations here but you get my point..Now if you moved your board at home 2'' higher or lower than it should be, believe me you would notice a massive difference, well this in effect what you are doing..

I bet you have been playing great at home, then put on your shiny new Nike's to go dartin and wondered why you are throwing high all the time...Now you know.

Balance: Trainers have a lot more 'floor grip' than say leather shoes, therefore if you practise in trainers you will feel nice and solid, then you go out in leather shoes and you are slipping and sliding and your balance is gone..

So here's what to do:

As a PDC player, I have to wear shoes, so i buy 3-5 pairs of the same comfy shoes and always wear them whether I am practising at home, at the pub, or am at a tournament.

If you are not required to ever wear shoes for darts, then find the comfiest shoes/trainers etc... and buy a few pairs and whenever you are darting wear them, you will go to a match and feel like you are practising at home, which is always a good thing.

By the way, this is a tip I learnt a long time ago...and who from ? Mr Taylor himself !
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I don't completely agree. I rarely wear shoes at home when I practice, usually no shirt either! It has no effect on me when I'm in a match wearing shoes -although I do always wear the same shoes when I play. To me it's another part of the mind game that darts is - it only matters if you think it does.
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(10-17-2013, 12:22 PM)Tormentor Wrote: I don't completely agree. I rarely wear shoes at home when I practice, usually no shirt either! It has no effect on me when I'm in a match wearing shoes -although I do always wear the same shoes when I play. To me it's another part of the mind game that darts is - it only matters if you think it does.

Am surprised here Shawn but thats what makes us all a bit different bud.
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I do practice in socks at home or right after work in my work sneakers. When I go to the local tavern where we play I use different sneakers. I find at home I seem to throw better than at the tavern. I am not sure if it is the added pressure (what little there is) of playing against people at the tavern or maybe the way I practice.

Maybe the shoe difference will effect better players more than a shlub like myself? Since my darts tend to have a mind of their own I don't think shoe height and balance matters as much. Where someone who can constantly hit their mark and know where and how they throw will see a difference in dart height with different shoes.

I also have wall to wall carpeting in my apartment which adds to grip when practicing although grip is not a problem for me where we play so who knows.
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I cannot wear ordinary shoes nowadays, my feet swell. I wear MBT's sandals (an awful price) When I was able to throw a dart after my operations I do not know what was worse throwing with my foot straight at the oche or throwing wearing the MBT's.
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I usually wear trainers, but have sometimes just threw in my socks too, I dont recommend it in case of bounce outs.
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Not only do shoes make a difference, but you are also better off playing with a cushioned sock.
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I have to watch out for dropped darts at home.
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(10-17-2013, 02:51 PM)Tormentor Wrote: I have to watch out for dropped darts at home.

hahaha I bet.
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Could not agree more with this. I notice a difference for a few days when I wear new shoes.
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I just bought a new pair of Rockports. I don't like spending a ton on shoes but this is my exception. They're dressy looking so they meet all dress codes but they're so comfortable. My first pair has begun to wear out because I started wearing them every day to work. If I just wear the new ones at tournaments they should last for years.
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we have a dress code at the club where i play league. i have played in the same pair of shoes since i started playing league, i practice in them at home too. they are well worn and are doing my feet no good at the moment. unfortunately i did not think of buying more than 1 pair at the time (go figure since i am female duh) i find when i practice at home in my trainers it throws my game off when i do play league in my uniform shoes. i agree totally, always use the same shoes!!
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Red Bird (my missus) has this part down pat.
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THEY WONT LET ME WEAR MY THONGS TO DARTS.
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hey stop using me body!!! (I wish lol)
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