I know there are some really good darts players on here, so I thought I'd cheekily ask for some advice.

The problem?
Despite practising regularly (maybe 10 hours per week), my game isn't improving. I keep throwing stray darts that bring my averages down - I hit a lot of 85s, 81s, 45s and 41s. I don't seem to have particular problems finishing or hitting cover shots - it's the grouping that I struggle with.

What's the best way of sorting this out? I've tried everything: throwing thousands of darts at the board, varying my stance, release, darts, pace...everything. I even practice properly i.e. being serious about practising and not just aimlessly throwing darts at the board.

I'm sure others have gone through this phase, so what did you do to get your grouping right?

Thanks,

MR.

Your better than me mate. Maybe worrying less about it and drinking more might help. Then you may not improve your grouping, but you would care less about it!

More than 50% of good darts is having the right darts!! some people like light arrows some people like heavy, don't use darts because they look nice, make sure they're comfortable in your hand, make sure your hands not sweaty or sticky then look at your stance/posture try to make sure your arms doin most of the moving and not your whole body. good luck

On a secondary note, you ARE planning on throwing darts at a board and not opposing supporters aren't you?

An old mate (a good darts player called Dave Moss) told me to keep my head absolutely still once settled on the oche. I've found this easier to say than do!
How do you do it?

When i was alright at darts (talking two years ago now), i found i threw best when i relaxed completely. If i felt myself tensing up, i'd just take a big deep breath and relax everything paying special attention to my shoulders. It's then that i would be able to throw consistently. Over-thinking is a big problem, you need to just relax and try and put everything out of your mind. If ou're focussing on keeping your head still, it might make you tense up. If you just chill out, you'll do it naturally. I lot of players i know need a lot of ale because it makes them relax and that extends all the way up to the top as well.

Do you play in the league? I make up the numbers for the King's Head on a Monday night.

You can throw as many darts as you like for years and years,for me though its all about natural ability-perhaps you have hit your maximum natural ability.
You can practise playing the piano for years and years,it wont turn you into a pianist though.

Everyone has a natural talent for something,its whether you actually find it.

Keeping searching oyem. I'm sure there must be something, however small that you're good at ?

I've been trying for years to get good at darts. Finally hit a 180 last month and next time I played I could hardly hit the board. I get too frustrated especially if the wifes not around and I've got nothing to punch.

So your saying your only talent is wife beating

Theres not a lot else to do in Stockport.

She got a right slap when Jim Gannon turned down the County job.

Practising throwing darts at the wife might improve your aim then

or oyem's wife. Could hardly miss though, size of her a**e

You could use a javelin

The best thing to do is just relax, ive only been playing 2 and half years and only really played in Div 1 in Chester, first player i played was Tony Martin, I know Dave Moss myself and any advise he can give is also worth listening to.

If you playing guys and beating them regularly try playing better players move up a league where you won't get as many chances. If you want any practice games or meet me me and Citizen Erased meet up quite a bit for a game. In all honesty thats an open invertation to anyone, always looking for a game.

i've been playing a little bit regulary, i'm pretty average but i do enjoy it. i think alot of it is getting into the right frame of mind as somedays i will be pretty good while others the darts will be hitting the chalkboard. i find a couple of beers help, too many and i lose all co ordination though.

After two/three pints I forget it, all over the show, where a guy I know played for Cheshire against Yorkshire on Stage after 14 pints and was awesome, although he is a big guy!

Go down to the boot or the cottage, always good venues to play at. practice practice practice.

The boot may not have a board for much longer if the proposed increase licence costs for bars to have things like dartboards and pool tables goes ahead. Every time fees for stuff like that (such as music and television licences for bars) have been increased in the past Sam Smiths Brewery who own the boot have simply chosen not to renew their licences for such things.

If the costs of having a dart board go up and Sam Smiths stay true to form then i expect their wont be a board in the boot much longer.

thank f**k i hate that pub, but for some reason my mates like it, hopefully the loss of a dartboardwill discourage them from going there

Back to the darts- I wouldn't mess around too much with your stance. Keep the one you feel most confortable with and stick with it. If you feel like experimenting with your action I would suggest lowering your elbow and adjusting the release point of the dart.

Watch Phil The Power Taylor and copy him.

Simple.