Darts Coaching: How a Pre Throw Routine Improves Consistency and Confidence
- Matt Tizzard
- Jun 16
- 4 min read
One of the most common things I notice when coaching darts players, whether in person or through online coaching sessions, is the complete absence of a pre throw routine.
As soon as I ask a player to step up to the oche and start throwing, many simply walk forward and release the dart. There is no consistent approach to the oche, no preparation phase and no routine that is repeated from throw to throw.
What often follows is exactly what you would expect. The feet are still adjusting position as the dart is being raised. The body is moving. The head is shifting. The player is trying to aim and throw whilst simultaneously getting themselves into position.
As a darts coach, this is one of the first areas I look at because establishing a solid pre throw routine can have a significant impact on consistency, confidence and overall performance.
What Is a Pre Throw Routine in Darts?
A pre throw routine is the sequence of actions you perform before every throw. It is the process that gets your body and mind into the same position each time you approach the dartboard.
The key word here is consistency.
A good pre throw routine should be repeatable. Every visit to the oche should feel familiar and controlled.
Whilst every player will develop a routine that suits them personally, there are some fundamental principles that should be present.
What Should Happen Before You Throw?
Before the dart is raised, your setup should already be complete.
Your lead foot should be positioned correctly on the oche.
Your balance should be established.
Your body should be settled.
Your head should be still.
Your eyes should be focused on the target.
Only once these elements are in place should the dart begin its journey towards the aiming position.
One mistake I frequently see during darts coaching sessions is players bringing the dart up whilst they are still moving. The feet are adjusting, the shoulders are turning and the head is finding the target all at the same time.
This introduces unnecessary movement into the throw.
Every additional movement creates another opportunity for inconsistency.
The objective is simple. Get set first, then throw.
The Importance of Stability
Research across a variety of precision sports consistently demonstrates the value of stable movement patterns and repeatable motor actions. Darts is no different.
When your feet are moving, your body is moving.
When your body is moving, your head is moving.
When your head is moving, your visual focus on the target becomes less stable.
Elite darts players may all have different throwing styles, but one thing they share (mostly, I appreciate there will always be exceptions) is a remarkably consistent setup position.
They arrive at the oche, establish their stance and then execute the throw from a stable platform.
Your pre throw routine helps create that platform.
The Psychological Benefits of a Pre Throw Routine
The benefits of a pre throw routine extend beyond physical technique.
One of the biggest advantages is the feeling of control it creates.
Darts can often feel unpredictable. Some days the darts seem to fly effortlessly into the target. Other days it can feel as though nothing is working.
A routine provides something reliable to fall back on.
Regardless of the score, the pressure or the previous dart, you know exactly what process you are going to follow.
This creates confidence because your focus shifts away from outcomes and back towards execution.
Instead of thinking about the score you need, you focus on completing your routine.
Instead of worrying about the previous miss, you focus on your setup.
This helps reduce anxiety and encourages a calmer, more composed approach to performance.
Controlling the Controllables
One phrase I use regularly in darts coaching is "control the controllables".
There are many things in darts that we cannot completely control.
We cannot guarantee every dart will land exactly where we want it.
We cannot control the actions of our opponent.
We cannot control crowd noise, venue conditions or moments of bad luck.
What we can control is our preparation.
We can control how we approach the oche.
We can control where we place our feet.
We can control our posture.
We can control our breathing.
We can control the routine we follow before every throw.
When players focus on these controllable factors, they often become more resilient during matches. Their confidence becomes rooted in process rather than results.
That is a much stronger foundation for long term improvement.
How to Develop Your Own Pre Throw Routine
If you currently do not have a routine, start simple.
As you approach the oche:
Position your lead foot consistently.
Establish your balance.
Settle your body and shoulders.
Fix your eyes on the target.
Bring the dart into your aiming position.
Execute the throw.
The routine does not need to be complicated.
In fact, simpler is often better.
The goal is not to create a long ritual. The goal is to create a repeatable process that places you in the best possible position to deliver the dart consistently.
Final Thoughts
If there is one area that many amateur players overlook, it is the pre throw routine.
Through my work as DartsMatt, coaching players both in person and online, I repeatedly see players stepping up to the oche without any structured approach.
They are still moving as they begin the throw, introducing variables that make consistency far more difficult to achieve.
By developing a simple and repeatable pre throw routine, you create stability, improve consistency and build confidence in your process.
Most importantly, you gain a greater sense of control.
In darts, success often comes from doing the simple things exceptionally well. A strong pre throw routine is one of those simple things.
Control the controllables, trust your process and give yourself the best possible chance of delivering every dart with confidence.
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