[rjb]

Hello!
The Texas Cockney? Pretty cool, was that inspired by the Crafty Cockney?

I was impressed by your interest in American darts. I have a buddy originally from Wales who certainly wouldn’t agree. The only darts he’d accept would be steel tip English darts – the game of choice being 501. He’d bring up things like consistent tournament television coverage, large prize money, lively audiences, etc. All good stuff to motivate interest and provide incentive to practice.

As far as tips, well I guess I could give you a few. But I think you are well aware that the grip and throw are very personal (and a shooter can be successful using extremely varied techniques). Anyway, here are a few of my thoughts.

> First of all, stick the darts into a potato before each round – that should help keep the darts from falling out of the board.
> At address, keep your elbow tucked in under your eye – not sticking out to the right (if you are right handed).
> Be sure to cock your wrist fully as you address the dart to the board.
> Try to keep the dart straight and flat to the board throughout your entire throw. Meaning, do not allow it to move left or right or up and down during your throw.

In my opinion, a bad example would be to take the dart back passed your right ear, and then during your throw bring it back to a release point in front of your right eye. Although I must admit that I’ve seen a great shooter do just that.

Anyway, keeping the dart straight to the board at all cost is designed to help you develop a consistent throw that will allow the dart to enter the board and stick straight (not leaning left or right or with feathers high or low). Leaning darts are not the desired result.

But another tip is that if the dart is leaning left (the feathers to the left with the tip to the right), move left on the oche (tow line) before throwing the next dart.

Another tip is that if you move to the left aim slightly to the left. Typically if you do not change your aim point, the dart will carry further to the right than expected. Again if the dart is leaning right, move right and aim slightly to the right of the desired target. But let me reiterate that we don’t prefer leaning darts.

Another thought is to follow through straight – your arm should be fully extended after release. I don’t recommend a stopping or jabbing action.

And remember to keep your eyes still even after the dart hits the board. Do not peek at where the dart ends up. Try to focus on a single little hole in the board which you will use as your target.

I also suggest you select that single dart hole to be below the double and triple combination area. Basically aim low for your first dart. That means on the high innings like 1, aim to hit a single. That also means for the lower innings like the 3, aim at the triple or even the blue if you tend to hit higher than your target. The idea is to think about stacking your darts – sort of going up the ladder one dart at a time.

To accomplish this, please note that the dart or darts already in the board extend out from the board. So to keep a good group together, you can aim very low for the third dart and it will hit the other darts and produce a very tight group. Don’t aim above the darts already in the board, aim below the location their tips are in the board.

Oh that’s enough (probably more than enough) for now. Take care or should I say cheers!

PS - I was born and raised in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. My personal high game in American darts (the game of baseball) is 65. The last time I shot in the Pennsylvania State Dart Tournament, I averaged 47. But it’s been a while since I’ve thrown any serious darts.