Cricket Player's Playing 501

[Banned]

American's love cricket. Go to any bar/pub in the United States on any given night and you'll see everyone playing cricket. I'd guess it's played about 95% of the time. Nothing wrong with that, it's just a game American's enjoy.

But now that a few online sites have surfaced more attention is being placed on 501. But there's an odd habit that goes along with the game of cricket that doesn't transfer over to 501 very well. It's when a player moves around on the oche.

In cricket we don't have the luxury of going for a cover shot. If we're trying to hit a number we will move along the length of oche and try to shoot our way around a blocker dart. It's just part of the game.

Recently I went to watch some players shoot at a local league. Nobody knew who I was and I had no idea who the players were. I was just simply there to watch. Observe. A few games of cricket were played then a game of doubles 501 came up. This guy started the a leg of 501 with 2 single 20's right above the treble 20 wire. He then stepped to the right about 2 feet and tried to hit another 20. I was like ?? that's odd. Why not just go for a cover shot?

I continued watching the leg and 3 out of the 4 guys were moving all over the place trying to score on the 20. It was extremely odd. The shots they were going for didn't matter as far as scoring goes. A cover shot wouldn't of hurt anything or left them on a bogey. In fact, one of the guy moved on the oche about 1 foot to the left just right to hit a single 20 and leave 166. ??

They could have been trying for all star points but I doubt that's the case. Maybe they're not even aware they do it? I think it was just a bad habit carried over from so much cricket. Who knows? But it was certainly odd to watch this sort of behavior.

Do any of you cricket player's do this in order to score all star points? Have any of you seen what I'm talking about? I know I've seen it elsewhere quite a bit. Even recently at a pro tourney here in the states. So tell me, what's the deal with scooting all over the oche?

[gumbo2176]

As a long time player from the States, I would say your assessment is pretty spot on. I think newer or less experienced dart players that play mostly Cricket have it embedded in their minds that when playing 01 games, it's the T-20 that counts most and they don't think about cover shots as much. Even when a clear shot at a T-19 or 18 is there for the taking, they will shoot at the T-20 even when their first 2 darts look like a roadblock over the target. I feel it is simply inexperience and less of an understanding of the 01 side of darts that has them throwing like that. I can't tell you how many times I've seen throwers hit an odd shot like 59 on their first throw in 501 and they are happy because they come back to the line with an even number on the board to shoot at. It matters not that they still have 442 more points to go, they are even.

Or perhaps they only saw James Wade, Ando, Sholten, or a couple other pros that, more often than not, stick to the 20's no matter how the darts are in the board. Enlighten them to the style of play like Taylor who is deadly on the T-19 as soon as a dart is above the T-20 and blocking it for his style of throw.

[*Saber*]

That's what separates Taylor from the rest of the pack, his cover shots are superb and makes the difference in the long run. That's my opinion.

[Beacon_Darts]

My personal experience is limited to local league and from what Ive seen, many players will try to force that third dart into the 20 rather than go for the cover shot. Ive seen it in levels Ive played in from A to C, even very good players. Part of it, no doubt, is all star chasing, which is maybe a US thing? Part of it is a cockiness/confidence that they can sneak it in there? I did the same when I started and probably still do at times, because thats what I saw everyone doing. I make a more conscious effort now, the past yr or so, to go for the cover if Im blocking the treble.

As for moving on the oche, I do move left and right in 501, but not in the situation you noted. I'll line up more left for the 8/16 doubles, or more right for the 6/10 doubles, so that Im more straight on to the target. Otherwise I feel like Im throwing across my body or behind it, respectively.

[Banned]

As for moving on the oche, I do move left and right in 501, but not in the situation you noted. I'll line up more left for the 8/16 doubles, or more right for the 6/10 doubles, so that Im more straight on to the target. Otherwise I feel like Im throwing across my body or behind it, respectively.

Even that would be a bit odd no? Matter of fact, I think I might do it too.

[Beacon_Darts]

As for moving on the oche, I do move left and right in 501, but not in the situation you noted. I'll line up more left for the 8/16 doubles, or more right for the 6/10 doubles, so that Im more straight on to the target. Otherwise I feel like Im throwing across my body or behind it, respectively.

Even that would be a bit odd no? Matter of fact, I think I might do it too.

It probably is odd. But it seems to work for me.

[Milkysunshine]

I have no problems moving left or right to open up my target. You are correct that cricket forces this way more than 501... but it is a solid asset to have on finishing doubles.

Unless I have a perfect marker that just needs a slight angle, I will take the cover from 20s unless I need a multiple of 20 to leave an out.

[brenthahn]

I'll line up more left for the 8/16 doubles, or more right for the 6/10 doubles, so that Im more straight on to the target. Otherwise I feel like Im throwing across my body or behind it, respectively.

Not only that, the distance changes. I move myself so I'm right in front of my target every throw. The only exception being when it's essential to sneak a dart around a blockage.

[Banned]

I'll line up more left for the 8/16 doubles, or more right for the 6/10 doubles, so that Im more straight on to the target. Otherwise I feel like Im throwing across my body or behind it, respectively.

Not only that, the distance changes. I move myself so I'm right in front of my target every throw.

Surely that can't be a good thing though?

[brenthahn]

I'll line up more left for the 8/16 doubles, or more right for the 6/10 doubles, so that Im more straight on to the target. Otherwise I feel like Im throwing across my body or behind it, respectively.

Not only that, the distance changes. I move myself so I'm right in front of my target every throw.

Surely that can't be a good thing though?

Why?

[Banned]

I'll line up more left for the 8/16 doubles, or more right for the 6/10 doubles, so that Im more straight on to the target. Otherwise I feel like Im throwing across my body or behind it, respectively.

Not only that, the distance changes. I move myself so I'm right in front of my target every throw.

Surely that can't be a good thing though?

Why?

A. I don't see it on the big stage from the pro's. (mostly)

B. Moving around doesn't build any sort of consistency. That was why I started this thread. Because I saw people moving for no 'real' reason. Of course everyone moves to work around a flight or a blocker dart, but to move along the oche and stand in a different spot because of shooting at double 16 or double 10 might not be the best thing to do. Just a best guess though based on the fact I don't see the very best players doing it.

And this is usually where the argument of "it works for me" comes in. Believe me, I've done things that I thought worked for me.

[Milkysunshine]

If you are a focus shooter, like pipe... moving a little doesn't hurt. If you are a rhythm shooter, taking the time to move can screw you up.

[brenthahn]

Moving around doesn't build any sort of consistency.

Standing right in front of my target every time means I'm throwing straight ahead every time. And the board's the same distance away every time. You've still got the height variable, but a couple of others are eliminated. What about that doesn't encourage consistency?

But hey, I've got an open mind; I'm willing to listen to reason here. And all those TV dart pros can't be wrong. In fact, I'm even going to spend some practice time today standing in one spot and trying to discern whether I've been wrong all along.

I'll get back to you :-)

Late add re Milky's comment -- I hear you, and I'm a rhythm guy, but shifting on the oche doesn't seem to mess me up.

[Beacon_Darts]

My line of thinking has always been what Brent said... Im lining up with the 20 segment so that a repeatable straight up and down arm motion puts the dart straight into the 20, keeping the same "arm slot" and the same distance from me to the board. Why wouldnt I do the same with other segments? That the pros dont do it is however a valid point. Its worth trying without moving.

[Beacon_Darts]

If you step up to the oche and want to hit a bull, you're probably lining up straight on, or whatever set position works for you. If Im stepping up to the oche with 32 left, to me it makes sense to do the same with the D16.