Hand Alignment

[Nucky]

When I practice, the majority of my misses are in the 5 bed when aiming for the T20 and have worked on everything to correct it (foot placement, body alignment, etc, etc.). Then one day a light bulb came on in my head. I thought about how I hold the dart and whether it had anything to do with it.

Here is a photo of my original position:

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Here is a slight exaggeration on how I try to grip the dart now:

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I have been trying to keep my hand as straight as possible now to see if it improves my game. I also have been trying to use my pinky finger as my guide to keep my hand as straight as possible on release.

I have to say that I am seeing an improvement. Time will tell though as it is hard not to go back to my natural throw.

[Getagrip]

interesting, might be that your throwing through the darts centre of gravity better now?

[Nucky]

Exactly - also consciously using my hand alignment as a mental note to keep my arm straight on release.

[jamie373]

i've noticed more pros using the grip of second pic so you could be o to something there nucky

[Donkey]

I've been on this road as well nucky. My darts usually miss to the left of the intended target. I have been trying to fix my grip and my arm and my stance. Even tried to play withouth my glasses once or twice. I know I grip my darts different from time to time. And sometimes it works sometimes it ain't.

Anyhow. I did do 7 perfect darts some nights ago. (I've hit 20 T20 T20, T20 T20 T20, T20 T20 1) why I hit that 1 in the last dart was because I miscounted, thought I had 41 left after my first two t20s Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images..

Anyhow. Since that night I've been trying not to think of what in doing. Just how to do it. And hopefully my hand will find a way to understand the dart I'm gripping. Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images..

[Nucky]

Good stuff Donkey. It sounds like you are on the right track.

It's a little hard to explain exactly what I am trying to accomplish but I think you get the drift. It is as if everything starts with the grip and once that is straight, I am trying to bring my arm and body in the same direction.

[Donkey]

Yeah. I get your point. I mean sometimes when I play I can't for the love of god understand why my darts go straight into the triple fives/single fives. When everything feels just right with the throw. If you find the magical trick please share it with me Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images..

[Regulatori]

I have a similar grip as in the bottom photo...except I grip near the front tip.

I've found that having my thumb almost lengthwise against the bottom of the barrel (like you do in the 2nd pic) sends the dart on a straighter course. I've just started doing this in he past week or so and have seen some great results. I may stick with it.

[Nucky]

I guess we will be able to compare notes Reg. I liken this to golf - you can change your swing but you have to practice it until it becomes natural. Easier than it sounds Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[jamie373]

I guess we will be able to compare notes Reg. I liken this to golf - you can change your swing but you have to practice it until it becomes natural. Easier than it sounds Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

i think i read somewhere it takes 20,000 repetitions to make a new movement natural , get chucking ! Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[Nucky]

19,997 to go........................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.

[ico]

I guess we will be able to compare notes Reg. I liken this to golf - you can change your swing but you have to practice it until it becomes natural. Easier than it sounds Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

i think i read somewhere it takes 20,000 repetitions to make a new movement natural , get chucking ! Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

Hmmm

20,000.... let me do the math...

I throw 100 darts in 10 minutes at the practice board.

So after around 33 hours I'll be set. So it's a week or two.

Should I drop darts now and play golf? :dodgy:

[Nucky]

I'm gonna drop mine and have a cool drink Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[Getagrip]

I think it takes me longer with darts lol 1 Billion might be closer to the truth for me Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[jamie373]

I guess we will be able to compare notes Reg. I liken this to golf - you can change your swing but you have to practice it until it becomes natural. Easier than it sounds Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

i think i read somewhere it takes 20,000 repetitions to make a new movement natural , get chucking ! Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

Hmmm

20,000.... let me do the math...

I throw 100 darts in 10 minutes at the practice board.

So after around 33 hours I'll be set. So it's a week or two.

Should I drop darts now and play golf? :dodgy:

i said i read it somewhere i didn't do the study on it lol , googling it comes up with ranges from 5000 reps to 20000 reps . i suppose it means 20000 correct reps as all incorrect reps would counteract the effect . i'm a roofer not a scientist so ....yeah as i said i just read it Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.