How to play darts 8# - Elbow Height and Switching Targets.

[@gavinfry4735]

I'm so glad I found this video, I thought I was doing something wrong, I never realised I had long arms always looked normal to me lol, finding it difficult for it to feel natural though lowering my elbow

[@boristheblade4052]

One of the single most helpful dart videos on KZbin mate. Thank you very much greatly appreciated 😊

[@stevenedwards2162]

Got tell the darting world, we play 301 double to start at my local , after 6 darts I left myself 170 but not intended just luck , went out treble 20, treble 20 , bull , my first 170 and a nine dart finish , and I've been playing darts for over 40 years .

[@jimmybutler6451]

I will say that as seeing a video for the first time you do an excellent job of explaining this and really good advice. Love the tat too

[@tomaniac487]

This video literally got me from 8% in doubles to 25% within weeks. Cheers mate

[@BALLYMONEY180]

Finally someone talking sense. I have the exact same issue as you with the elbow height. Keep up the good work, don't know if you play in WDF events but if I see you I will shake your hand.

[@Straightdarts]

Im hopefully going to be at a few UK based WDF events and MAD. 😀

[@moulletsmayhem2334]

Thanks for the tips

[@VailM8]

This advice was excellent, at 6ft3, I've been blocking my sight... What a difference!

[@bigfootshaber1048]

Much better!! Cheers

[@marthao5799]

I have to say the more I listen to you, the more I have (the more you give me) the tools to improve my darts. I think your lessons/explanations are by far the best I have seen. I am figuring out what I have been doing wrong and what I need to do. When I can combine them all, watch out, here I come, lol. (I shot darts 35 yrs ago, lol, and started playing again at the beginning of this year. I keep getting better but then lose consistency and I am slowly finding out why and correcting the problems) Thank you!

[@Rabeyrie]

I'm following you for a while now ... Really good analytical skills and great teaching...about this topic you nailed it... It's really how you are anatomically build and in what stance you feel the best ... you explain very good the errors not to make... Great job...

[@Straightdarts]

Thanks! :)

[@JM-gs5jn]

This tip of yours helped my dart game tremendously....I mean like night/day. I'm 6' 1" tall, with very long arms. I had always listened to the advice of keeping my arm and elbow high at 90°. This was not good for me and my throwing was erratic. I dropped my shoulder some and I dip my arm just a tad .....that's all I needed. I have noticed the problem with "general" advice is that nobody is actually general. We all have a bit different physiology, and your videos do an excellent job explaining that what may work for "most", might not be best for yourself! Good job!

[@Straightdarts]

Thank you and your 100% right about general advice. :)

[@WeeIslay]

Due to being vertically challenged the elbow height I find is one of the key elements of my game and I’m working on that at the moment, we’re all looking for that perfect parabolic curve. On another note I’ve watched many professional darts players and if you watch Duzza you’ll see when he’s aiming his elbow position is in a steady strong position however he drops that elbow by about 3 or 4 inches before he releases the dart. Brilliant video Daniel 👍🏻🎯

[@jimmybutler6451]

Same here as in vertically challenged lol

[@seanquigley5649]

Great advice. I’ve been blocking my sight by keeping my arm at 90 degrees. I’m 6’2” can’t wait to give this a shot. Subscribed!

[@Straightdarts]

Thanks buddy :)

[@xboxvolley360]

This is the first video i see talking about switching targets. Gives me a good idea what to work on

[@mikabason7155]

Hey man, I am 5ft9“ but my arm span is 6ft2“ and was always trying to stick to the the "keep your elbow parallel to the ground thing“. Your tip just made my T20 much more consistent, same for the bull. Just shows how much different morphologies change stuff up

[@shaunmcpherson9233]

I know this an older video, but I just recently started to play darts again. (I used to play, but just messed around. Taking it more serious now.) I am from the U.S. and I have looked into so many videos etc,and yours are by far the best. Thank you for the help.

[@Fate134]

Exact same but from uk

[@manawarrior2010]

what a great channel. i’ve been looking for something exactly like this. really analysing the throw. i think there is lack of this level of detail out there. and boy do i need it. i’ll pop a double with my first dart but scoring is totally alluding me at the moment. got beat last night and now i’m on a root and branch investigation as to why i’m so shit. subbed. cheers

[@7BearBrown]

Great vid again mate. I had to lower my elbow height after tearing my front deltoid off the bone in the gym a couple of years ago (if you remember, I had a rediculously high throwing arm lol). 2 surgeries later and literally couldn't get my arm to the same height as before. Dropped the elbow, slightly heavier dart - playing better than ever. Little things can make a huge difference.

[@Straightdarts]

Oh remember Brownie the javeler. ;) haha 😄 good time and glad to hear it. We need a game soon. 😀

[@billbrown1255]

"lot of people do it, don't be one of them" Love it! Going to try that, always good to check what you are doing anyway in case you are doing something wrong or could be doing it better

[@garrycliffod1683]

Just discovered your channel and I am impressed. Will be back lots for sure. The way that you explain things is loud and clear

[@weimarutube]

Just caught this video searching on elbow and dart throwing because I commented on one of your recent videos noting you were lifting your elbow on the throw. I also mentioned in that comment that it whatever works for the individual. I saw other helpful videos suggesting that the elbow should remain at a constant height. This video is a great compliment to all those throwing videos. You taught me a great lesson that I think will help me on my 3rd dart where I lose power in my throw and land below my target. It’s because I’m dropping the elbow. Thank you!!!! Body mechanics explained can really help accelerate the improvement time. In the other video, the lifting of the elbow on the throw may be more deceptive so my apology on commenting on what I thought I was seeing. Could elbow height before the throw cause the elbow to shift up or down or remain stable? Great tips and channel! Hats off to guys like you giving time to the public to make everyone better. The world needs more people like you.

[@timesliders]

Thanks for the video.

[@davorgolik7873]

Thank you, nice video, and good advices!

[@DrDomm420]

Can't believe I've just found your channel big help subscribed keep up the good work

[@j.d.1488]

I just realized as a short 5 6 thrower I seem to drop elbow to get a line of sight. Also when I do try to keep elbow up the draw back tends to be way to fast and a brain correction which equates to an ugly twitch movement as I tend to clear for eye being block on release. Haunting me for ever. Will give the comfortable elbow down start and reduce draw. We shall see. Great video sir.

[@Straightdarts]

Trying keeping the elbow down, find a small pause at the end of the drawback, then lift the wrist up and relase instead of pull to much with the arm or lifting the elbow. Just flick them :)

[@ryanblake96]

Long arms here too. If I try to keep my elbow up, everything goes near tops

[@rhyslewis5418]

Ive just found your channel ! I follow many channels on playing advice but yours seems to make more sense to me. Im a beginner and been playing for about 2 months now. I wish I looked for more advice before going through 4 sets of darts already thinking it was the darts and not my throw but still feel its my darts sometimes🤦‍♂. Ive gone from 22g down to 19g and now settled on a 21g set with thicker barrels (i find they feel better to hold). Im going to reset myself and start again following your advice. Im sure ill have questions 😂. Great channel by the way

[@alanmeasures8337]

Another great vid mate love your channel.

[@ThaGamingMisfit]

Thanks for thsi video ! I'm a beginner and struggling with my elbow, turns out I have pretty long arms too, and you explained the issue I have. I hope I can find a better throw now ! Feels important to get it right pretty early on and it was upsetting me a bit, but less now ;)

[@bigbossproduction447]

I’m just over 6ft I lower my elbow a little , else the darts go way to high , Ive been working on my follow through it’s getting there

[@LesDuffy]

I've never hit a 180 in my life, but I've hit the first 2 treble 20s a few times, then missed the third dart. Thanks for the videos. A 180 is on my bucket list. One day. Perhaps. A lot of my darts are too low, so I don't know if I should add more power, or throw higher.

[@Straightdarts]

Try and let the dart go a bit earlier, you might be pulling them down slightly. A Quicker hand movement on the realise can help or try to add a bit of push from the fingers. :)

[@LesDuffy]

@@Straightdarts Hey many thanks for the reply. Did it again tonight (2 x treble 20s and a 20). I'm getting so close. I'll cry when I make it.

[@bfcjacob7005]

@@LesDuffy have you got one yet

[@mentalhealthme128]

Great video 👍. I really struggle to come down the board and I feel daft that I've never thought to lean into it more. Also I'm around your height so I'm going to try and bring my elbow down a touch

[@rkisf90]

Gone back to this video, realised I was putting a lot of elbow or shoulder into throws and darts were everywhere. Adjusting to lowering elbow just a small amount, I can see down the line of sight and my arm goes out straight rather then up.

[@JokerJim23]

Again , great advice. Good vid mate , cheers 👍🎯🎯👍

[@brianvanlandeghem9864]

Love ur vids, simple and perfect

[@kittycrew1643]

Mate I dropped my elbow a little after watching this video and I feel like I can actually aim better and my scoring has gone up at least 10 per 3 darts. Great vid cheers. Also have you got any advice for me. I'm right handed but I can only see out of my left eye. So it's really hard for me to line everything up. Thanks in advance

[@Straightdarts]

amazing 👏 and I do. I had a similar problem when I switched to left handed. Its would be really complicated to type though. I'll shot a video today and upload it tonight. should be available in 4k by tomorrow for you then. 😀

[@kittycrew1643]

@@Straightdarts Legend cheers mate.

[@nah5489]

Really helpful. Cheers!

[@stegaaa2182]

Late to the party but I really like this video.

[@darrentupman8143]

When you throw darts is it like a push or like ur swinging a hammer? I’m going through a dartitus patch

[@MrMully48]

Great vids, how do you prevent your darts wobbling through the air or what causes it.

[@Straightdarts]

Normally, it's because of uneven pressure on the grip (push the dart to much with a finger) but It can also be from not flicking the wrist straight and poor alignment.

[@johnpaulbatiquin5458]

Mate, what can you say about elbow height of MvG ?thanks for the inputs. Cheers from The Philippines 🍺

[@Straightdarts]

Good question. MVG has his elbow very low and bends his back forward as well, Because he bends his back forwards so much he is throw a bit further we going for targets like Treble 20 and Tops. I Imagine this is why he needs a lower elbow, so get more power in the darts when aiming at higher sections. You can see the power increase caused by the lower elbow plain as well. He uses 26 gram darts but they land upward and travel very fast. Look at other players who's darts land similar like Adrien Lewis or Wade they all use darts 3 to 6 grams lighter. MVG and Lowe both have the same sort of elbow height and it dose them no harm at all. :)

[@JohnEWierenga]

I always tried to keep my elbow up. Last fall someone told me to lower my elbow. Was able to see the board better and had much more power in my throw. Also helped me reduce some shoulder movement I had.

[@joonah318]

I have bad problems with keeping my elbow straight and I don’t know what to do about it as I am used to it. I have recorded myself a few times throwing and before I’m about to release the dart my elbow is slightly moving across my body and I don’t know how to rectify it. I get very frustrated as my scoring hasn’t been very good as a result and sometimes my throw is a bit snatchy and some of my darts are falling way below my targets. It’s got to the point where I don’t enjoy playing and I was wondering if you could help ☹️

[@Straightdarts]

I'll do a video on this soon as I know to fix it but it's gunna be difficult to explain via message. 😀 I'll get this up in the next 2 to 3 days, I promise.

[@joonah318]

@@Straightdarts ok mate thank you !!

[@Straightdarts]

@@joonah318 no problem I'll try and get it done tomorrow if possible 😀

[@joonah318]

@@Straightdarts also mate sorry to be a pain 🤣 I have a problem where I throw for like high doubles such as 12’s, 4’s 18’s, 14’s etc and I will go too low and hit the number beneath it and it’s very agitating. What factors is it and how do I improve it?

[@Straightdarts]

@@joonah318 are the darts dropping mid flight due to power or are they travelling nice and strong but landing low? 🤔

[@Roly888T]

I'm only around 5' 4". I need to raise my elbow so that I can throw decently but my problem is i hit more 5's amd 1's. also, i hit with using my shoulder strength and sometime my body.

[@Straightdarts]

That's a problem with your timing, you need to decelerate the draw back and even try a little pause at the back of the draw back. Then flick the wrist earlier as you go, though. :)

[@Ikeisix]

I can't see the target with both eyes and only one eye at the bottom of the takeback because I have a high aiming position, is it okay? And how do you aim for Phil Taylor? Should I aim through the hole in my right hand? And does he look at the target with his eyes at the bottom of the takeback and throw it?

[@Straightdarts]

You Need to lower your elbow, you should always be able to aim over the top on the flight :)

[@catinthehat661]

Phil is throwing right handed but left eye dominant I believe. He’s coming across from his left eye.

[@AH-qt4dp]

Same as me as this with elbow height. I used to be very high played for years, and I've stopped playing covid times. I always had issues. Wast sure if was eyes arms wrist. Always feel more natural left-handed, but I'm not got to a decent level like a odd 80 one or 90s but worst case was 60s and usually all 70s constant I've come.back, putting effort I and i can't throw properly at all, and so mamy bounce outs. Usually 50 to 60. I've not hit a 70 for ages. I've messed eith my throw that much I'm.lost Coaching session you do. Are they in person

[@Straightdarts]

I do coaching online or at my home office at SA10 9HR. :)

[@Roly888T]

What if my height is only 5' 4"? Do I have to put my elbow higher? thanks

[@Straightdarts]

You probably will need the elbow slightly higher, but you can aim with the point up to help as well. :)

[@MM-nn4qi]

your videos are good. I have a question. when throwing, I stop my arm after releasing the arrow. I tried to run it out, but it distracts me so much that the throw will be inaccurate. is it important to fully extend the arm and bend the wrist or not problem because everyone is different?

[@Straightdarts]

It's not the most important part at all, just make sure you find a little pause after the draw and throw wist is moving ealry. Don't push from the arm, just flick the wirst and open the hand. :)

[@MM-nn4qi]

@@Straightdarts thank you very much for your answer. I sincerely wish you to achieve what you want in this sport, I wish you good health

[@mariofrankomihic879]

Great advice, i will give it a try. I have one question tho. When i am throwing darts i think im not pulling darts backward enough. Its wee movement back and straight forward, is that really bad thinh and how should i try to fix that ? Because whenever i try to pull it more back i cant relese the dart

[@Straightdarts]

That's actually a good habit, just make sure the micro draw is all from the wrist, don't use the arm. Also make sure you find a little pause at the end of the drawback.

[@mariofrankomihic879]

thanks for your reply and advice.@@Straightdarts

[@muftydog]

Mate,im 6 foot 3 and if i put my arm parallel to the ground then i just cant see the board. Am i thinking its ok for me to drop my arm a bit so the board comes into view or am i missing something here? Do taller players have this problem or is it just me?

[@Straightdarts]

It's not just tall players. A lot of players have this problem, and most professionals don't have a heigh elbow. Keep the elbow low enough so that you can just about see over the dart. Mardel always tells players to lift the elbow, but his elbow isn't that heigh when he actually plays. It's nonsense. MVG, Smith, Humphries, and Noppert all have a low elbow and are in the top ten in the world at the moment. The other players are as heigh is recommended by some coaches either. As long as you keep the dart under your line of sight and keep the elbow still until just after the release begins, you're good.

[@muftydog]

@@Straightdarts Thanks for getting back to me with such a detailed answer. Really appreciate it :)

[@KiteBear]

Hello Daniel: First off I want to say great videos! I have found that I am having trouble getting my wrist straight up at 90 deg above my elbow. I have to lean back a bit to get my arm straight up. if I don't lean back it hurts my shoulder to get my arm straight up. And I tend to hit a lot of 1's and 5's if I don't lean back. Any advice?

[@Straightdarts]

Have you tried locking your wrist backwards? As you will the dart backwards draw the wrist back as well. When you follow through, throw from the fingers, wrist and arm. :) should help keep it more solid. With your back, try to stand upright if your having issues. :) keep that elbow just low enough so that the dart is under your eye when you aim :)

[@Cell2Dee]

Do you offer one off coaching? I used to play to a ‘decent’ at home standard but have only started playing again a month or so ago and it’s doing my nut in not being able to throw well. I can’t work out what is wrong.

[@Straightdarts]

Yeah, I'm a full time coach working with pros to beginners. Check out my website for my online services. 😀 straighttothepointdarts.co.uk/darts-coaching/

[@chakkapopchinboon4297]

Sometimes I miss the target because my darts drop earlier before landing on it even though I try to aim and throw higher than normal. Please let me know how to fix this problem.

[@Straightdarts]

It sounds like a timing problem, try to throw softer and snap though with the wrist at release. You should be slightly speeding up when the dart leaves your hand, this is why the wrist is so important. :)

[@hhhmmmmmmmm]

Hi. What about a front view of the elbow? Is it important to keep the elbow in? If the elbow is out then there’s a tilt in the elbow n it points down n to the left (right handed).

[@Straightdarts]

That really depends on the players' alignment to the dart board. Try and get the elbow pointing down the direction of the target, and if you can also get the palm of your hand doing this as well, it should be easier to hit the point of release straight without having to bend your wrist.

[@hhhmmmmmmmm]

@@Straightdarts thanks. I appreciate it.

[@rackum44]

One thing I struggle with is getting my upper arm to go straight back and straight through It's so hard to do.

[@Straightdarts]

Try to slow the draw back down a bit. :)

[@marcm4554]

Hey there! What I realized when throwing after this video is the following. I'm currently not aiming over my flight, but rather block my sight completely with the wrist. Still, the throw feels very natural that way. I experimented with pulling the darts beneath my eye so I have at least clear sight on the target once I have fully drawn it back, but it feels rather unatural to me. Starting off a bit lower feels extremely weird, so I'm not sure if that would be an option. What would you advice me to go with? Rather focus on the feel or prefer sight and hope it will feel as natural over time? Thanks for all the great advice!

[@Straightdarts]

If your elbow is causing you to lose sight of the target its to height, I may feel more natural but thus cab also cuase other issues for many players like movement of the shoulder and unwanted dropping of the elbow when drawing the dart back. Try and find a height that you can see over the dart at all times and keep the elbow as still as possible. It may feel weird at first but it can really pay off. 😀

[@marcm4554]

I'm coming back to this one to say thank you. I did wasn't sure about this as it did sound reasonable but felt so wrong at first. For everyone having something similar in mind as I had. I've went through a pretty long phase 3 in which I kinda relearned the game technique-wise tinkering around with my whole throw for quite a long time. This single comment singlehandedly carried my game to a regular 12-15 180's an hour in scoring trainingsessions. My grouping also improved tremendously after a while in which I tried to get used to it and find ways to make it work for myself. Thank you so much Daniel

[@tomasmorrissey7324]

Love when u realized damn I'm getting old 🤣🤣🤣 ten year oh no it's more than dat 🤣🤣🤣

[@dangreene8576]

I can't keep my elbow up like that . I have to have the dart below my eye.

[@reziathr6171]

Hi sry for a second Question. Is this a good advice from John Part: „Simplicity is best, so that you can more readily develop consistency in your throw. The elbow should be extended fully towards the target. Really extend and stretch the elbow out. It may feel unnatural at first, but it is an excellent habit to develop. When the elbow is fully extended, the shoulder is by default, pulled in under the chin.“ I tried this and it feels unreleaxed and like a tension. But it seems to help to throw straighter. Many other advices tell the opposite to relax the arm. Dont want to follow a false advice. Ty

[@Straightdarts]

I think he has just explained it wrong. If you look at his throw is not like that. Keep the elbow still. Flick through with the wrist. Let the arm drop until its straight.

[@anshsood6299]

My Elbow raises quite a bit before I even release the dart. Do you have any suggestions how can I fix that?

[@Straightdarts]

John Lowe would always rest his elbow on a table and learn to throw with just the wrist and fingers. Remember, you don't want to use your arm. It's all from the wrist and fingers. :)

[@anshsood6299]

@@StraightdartsThanks, will definitely give it a go. Is it true that Rob Cross also slightly raises his elbow before the point of release? Seems like it from the telly..

[@christopherhamilton3621]

I feel like I point my elbow at what I’m aiming at. What do you say about that?

[@Straightdarts]

Yeah, that's a good indicator your switching correctly. 👌

[@christopherhamilton3621]

@@Straightdarts cheers mate! I’m struggling ATM to focus my eye on one spot. Any pointers?

[@Straightdarts]

@@christopherhamilton3621 don't aim to much. Aim at the treble whilst making sure and being happy with the big numbers. Find the path you want the dart to fly down and throw at the target down that path, its easy to over aim.

[@Playsinvain]

Darts are as deep as deep can be perceived

[@Playsinvain]

You forced me to figure out what I was doing wrong with my wrist follow through. Had a major breakthrough today. Thanks, Sensei

[@theravendarts]

how about when u aim your dart threw the flight but your dart is pointed out to the right?

[@Straightdarts]

Either straighten it up or use the tip on the point to aim. :)

[@gmann212]

What do you think about the zero pullback or the complete stop at the pullback like Gary Anderson? I’m having some success with accuracy bc of less movement but tend to vary on the power of the throw. It’s a very hard way to throw. I got the advice from a pro here in the states and his reasoning was less movement is better

[@Straightdarts]

I love it, it's soming I personally coach alot of players. :)

[@gmann212]

@@Straightdarts thanks for the reply