Ever wondered why your darts sometimes stick out oddly or block your next shot? This guide reveals that a ‘sideways’ dart isn’t always a problem – legendary players like Phil Taylor used unique angles to their advantage. We’ll show you when an unusual dart entry *does* hinder your game and provide clear steps to fix it, from tweaking your equipment (stems and flights) to refining your throwing technique. Learn how to make every dart a marker, not an obstacle, and consistently hit your targets.
The Myth of the ‘Perfect’ Dart Angle
You’ve thrown your dart, the point is in, but the flight is angled awkwardly across the board, or the dart is sitting almost upright. It feels wrong, and suddenly your first dart is an obstacle instead of a guide.
But here’s a crucial insight: **an unusual entry angle isn’t necessarily a bad one.** There’s no single “perfect” way for a dart to sit in the board.
Take Phil Taylor, for example – arguably the greatest darts player of all time. He was renowned for grouping darts with a **flatter entry angle**. This unique approach allowed him to “stack” his second and third darts tightly around the first. His darts didn’t need to stand sharply upwards for his system to work; the angle perfectly suited his throwing style and, more importantly, what he wanted to achieve with his subsequent throws.
Many other players adopt different strategies. Some prefer a dart with the flight sitting higher, creating a clear “marker” that they can then throw their next darts underneath.
The key takeaway? **If your three darts consistently land at roughly the same angle and leave you enough room to attack your target, trying to force them to sit like someone else’s could create a problem you didn’t have in the first place.** Your first dart offers far more useful information about your game than just looking “neat” in the board.
Understanding How Angles Affect Your Game
Imagine you hit the bottom edge of the treble 20. If your dart’s back drops slightly, it might leave most of the treble bed clearly visible above it, offering a perfect spot to stack your next dart. However, if that same dart lands high in the treble, the very angle that helped on the first throw could now completely cover your target.
Experienced players naturally adapt to this. They learn to throw above, below, or alongside their marker dart, depending on its specific angle.
When Your Dart’s Angle Becomes a Problem
Your dart’s entry angle becomes something worth changing only when you find yourself consistently battling against your own first dart. This isn’t about aesthetics; it’s about practicality. **You have a practical problem to solve if a well-thrown dart consistently:**
- **Blocks the target bed**, making it hard to hit your desired score.
- **Causes subsequent darts to deflect** or “kick off” it.
- **Forces you to switch targets early** (e.g., moving from treble 20 to treble 19) because your first dart has made the original target inaccessible.
Equipment First: Fine-Tuning Your Darts
Before you consider overhauling your entire throwing action, a sensible first step is to **experiment with your darts’ stems (shafts) and flights.** These components can significantly alter how a dart behaves in the air.
Stems (Shafts)
The **length of your dart’s stem** changes its overall balance and can directly affect the angle at which the dart reaches the board. A longer stem might lead to a flatter entry, while a shorter one could result in a more upright position.
Flights
The **size and shape of your flights** dictate the amount of drag and stability at the back of the dart. Larger flights generally offer more stability, which can lead to a straighter trajectory and potentially a more consistent entry angle. Smaller flights provide less drag, allowing the dart to fly faster but potentially less stably.
There’s no “magic combination” of stems and flights because your unique throw, grip, barrel weight, and point all interact with these components.
The Golden Rule of Experimentation: Change One Thing at a Time
If you want to test a different setup, the absolute key is to **change only one part at a time.**
- **Start with stems:** Try a different shaft length, but keep your current flights. Throw enough darts to get past the initial novelty and truly feel the change. Compare the results with your normal setup.
- **Then try flights:** Once you’ve assessed the stems, switch back to your preferred stem length and then experiment with different flight sizes or shapes.
Your goal isn’t to make your dart sit at a specific degree angle. Instead, you are looking for an entry angle that **works harmoniously with your grouping and keeps your targets open.**
Refining Your Technique: The Consistent Throw
Sometimes, the issue isn’t the equipment but the delivery. There’s a big difference between a consistent dart that always lands flat (which might be a preferred style) and an inconsistent dart that lands flat one moment, upright the next, and sideways on the third throw, even with the same equipment.
If your darts are entering the board with wildly different angles from throw to throw, it often points to **inconsistencies in your release.** A dart that leaves your fingers differently can wobble, turn in the air, or arrive at an unexpected angle. Common culprits include:
- **Rushing the release:** Not completing your throwing motion smoothly.
- **Gripping harder under pressure:** Tensing up and altering your grip.
- **Failing to complete the same arm movement:** Inconsistent follow-through.
This is especially important to check if your dart is genuinely landing “sideways” – meaning the flight is noticeably to the left or right of the point, rather than just sitting high or low.
Quick Checks & Troubleshooting
Before diving deep into technique, always perform a quick check for obvious equipment problems:
- **Damaged Flight:** A bent or torn flight can severely impact a dart’s stability.
- **Bent Stem (Shaft):** A crooked stem will cause the dart to fly erratically.
- **Loose Component:** Ensure your flights are securely seated and your points are tight.
If your equipment is in perfect order, then focus on **repeating the same throw consistently** rather than consciously trying to “steer” the dart into the board. The fundamental principles of a consistent throw – such as a smooth release, stable stance, and consistent follow-through – are far more effective than trying to force your wrist or release to create a “prettier” entry angle.
Ultimately, your darts need to arrive predictably enough that your first dart helps, rather than hinders, your next two.
Your Action Plan:
- **If you are grouping well and your target remains open:** Leave your setup alone. You’ve found what works for you!
- **If a good first dart regularly blocks your route or causes deflections:** Experiment with different flights and stems, changing one component at a time.
- **If all three darts are entering the board with different angles (inconsistently):** First, check your equipment for damage. If it’s sound, then focus on the consistency of your throwing technique.
What truly matters is whether dart two and dart three know exactly where to follow. Mastering that is the secret to higher scores.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
