Avoiding Common Darts Mistakes: Tips for Novices and Intermediate Players

Darts looks like a simple game, especially to many novice players. It’s aiming, throwing, and then hoping for the best, relying on any natural ability you may have inherited from your parents. 

But your throw drifts and your streaks end not as a result of what’s in your DNA, but the common Darts Mistakes you’re (probably) making. Learn to recognise and avoid these, and you can go from last in your group to a respectable level of competency.

Poor Stance and Bad Balance - Common Darts Mistakes 1

In darts, your stance is your base. It’s not just standing there as normal, quite the opposite. Your balance will determine whether your throw has a chance in the first place. When you’re mid-throw, you don’t want to be forced to make corrective movements. 

The most common stance mistakes include leaning too far, planting feet differently every time you throw, wobbling at the point of release, or worse, changing the way you stand before each throw. You stand in a way that feels athletic, or something you’ve seen from your favorite player on television, but is either not repeatable or conducive to a successful throw. 

For a proper stance, keep your weight ever so slightly forward. It’s not exaggerated, but quite subtle. Do not fall over the oche, and let the non-throwing side stay quiet. The first step is to feel comfortable and like you have a natural base to build from, then focus on alignment. 

There’s also no perfect or ideal stance; you need to find yours. Experiment with face-on and side-on positions to find the one that feels most natural. Once you’ve cracked the formula, make it repeatable. Use floor markers until you get the stance down, and it becomes entirely automatic. 

Don’t be afraid to respond to external factors that prompt a stance change, either. Michael van Gerwen, for example, suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome in his right arm, forcing him to move away from his famous low-elbow stance. 

Inconsistent Grip and Too Much Tension - Common Darts Mistakes 2

Watch a novice player, especially during their first-ever tournament. You’ll notice that they’re gripping that dart super tight, almost strangling it with nervous force. Many players lose their accuracy before the arm even moves to throw; it’s already a lost cause. 

Even small amounts of tension will travel from the fingers to the wrist and forearm. It’s not just about avoiding bad throws, but making sure you don’t get a long-term injury. 

You want to find a consistent grip, one that you return to every time you’re about to throw that dart. You want to be relaxed, finding the barrel balance point and going from there. Again, like with your stance, turn your grip into a repeatable script you can run with your eyes closed. 

Lack of Focus Between Visits - Common Darts Mistakes 3

Performing at a high level is generally a mental thing, and that also applies to darts. Some players are highly gifted, but they flounder once they get up on that stage.

Technical problems can easily be ironed out during practice, but once you’re in real competition, everything you’ve learned can become a big blur, lost in sweat and anxiety. One bad throw, and you react, forgetting that repeatable action set you’ve spent hours on at home. 

You want to avoid chasing a mistake. Each throw is individual, don’t overreact. Between visits, you have a chance to regain your composure, getting back that sense of calm. Use that time wisely, don’t just disappear into random thoughts or get into your own head. 

You don’t want to use breaks to overthink mechanics, but for measured analysis. And breathing for darts is also important, ensuring you’re focused and relaxed, not overheating and getting even more stressed. Trust the process that you found confidence in before the match, and don’t let small mistakes get to you. 

Rushing the Throw - Common Darts Mistakes 4

Players often hurry their throw without needing to, as if they have an invisible 24-second shot clock running in the background, like in NBA basketball. But darts is a game that’s designed to give you time for a considered throw, the referee will not rush you during a match, unless you’re deliberately trying to disadvantage an opponent. 

To make it easier, break down the throwing action into distinct parts: you have your set motion first, then you draw back, deliver, and finally, follow through. It’ll start in a way that feels stunted, but over time will develop into what should be a smooth motion, not a forced set of steps. It’ll come with time, but do make sure you practice each component. 

Finally, avoid pulling the dart back too fast; it’s not a race. Don’t drop the elbow or cut off the follow-through, as the motion isn’t over once the dart leaves your hand. And you will not be more accurate if you throw harder; it’s often exactly the opposite. 

Don’t Ignore Comfort and Identity - Common Darts Mistakes 5

Skill matters most in darts, that’s obviously true. An expensive kit will not change your suboptimal stance or death grip on that dart. But comfort is not insignificant, and choosing the right gear can support your performance without becoming just another placebo gimmick. 

The top players all have personalized shirts and matching gear as part of their core setup, and that’s not a coincidence. The tribal component matters when playing a sport. Having a customized darts shirt cements an identity and embeds confidence when playing. If you dress the part, you feel the part. 

But there’s also a clear physical component, and it’s science-backed. Custom darts shirts can improve comfort and freedom of movement, useful when playing in a stuffy darts hall with bright lights on you and far too many people for the size of the space. When you have a breathable, lightweight shirt, you’ll do far better than players using standard cotton. 

Fix the Habit, and the Scores Follow

Most common darts mistakes are ordinary and easy to fix, mechanically speaking, and that’s the good news. The bad? Small mistakes compound, and it can sometimes be difficult to change a habit that now feels ingrained. 

To improve, you will need smarter practice, calmly building upon seemingly minor changes in your approach. Beginners need that base, intermediate players a repeatable formula that avoids mistakes. The scores that impress your mates will follow.