Learning to play darts left-handed.

[@glennl.]

Nothing then respect for what you did and it shows if you don't give up everything is possible.

[@rhyslewis5418]

Massive respect to you and your dedication to the sport that you love.

[@ashleystone4266]

What a very inspiring video mate. It just shows that no matter what setbacks you get in sport, if you put the hardwork in, you get rewarded. You could say you play a lot better with your left than you did with your right. If you could tell yourself 4 years ago that you would get 8 perfect darts with your left hand, you would probably laugh at yourself. Keep up the good work Daniel 💪🏼👍🏼🎯

[@michaelmurphy2761]

I don't have the words to explain how impressive your accomplishment is. It's incredibly impressive! Thank you so much for telling a small part of your story.

[@Straightdarts]

You're very welcome! Thank you. :)

[@lovethedarts9522]

I haven't got the patience to learn with my wrong hand, fair play to you Daniel for not giving up

[@jason-wl4vc]

You have a great technique 👌 you literally look like a professional! Well done mate 👏 👍

[@MK-hp8zr]

I think it would be cool to see a video of all the patterns you found while researching players. Since, more or less, everyone has a different style of throw.

[@WeeIslay]

Amazing how well you’ve done, the perseverance and drive to get to the level your at is fantastic. So much respect for the way you’ve handled the situation that you had with your right arm, probably many people would’ve had enough and given up. Fantastic video Daniel 👍🏻🎯

[@crackrockdude]

Love this mate. Very inspirational. Nothing knocks your confidence quite like an injury great to hear a story of getting past that roadblock

[@sime9886]

Have the same situation with Dartitis, so switched my throwing hand, got one 180 so far, obviously keep fighting because I love the Darts. Would love to throw with my right arm again. Don't stop believin my friend, you're doing pretty well❤🎯

[@dariomanfroi9447]

Thank you for this video. My compliments

[@movements4life]

Really cool backstory. Appreciate you sharing in your journey Daniel. 👍💪

[@martinbuckley9178]

I am currently using my left as dartitis is that bad in my right. This video has helped massively in getting me to focus more on wrist movement rather than moving my whole arm. Thank you!

[@paulchinn5981]

That was awesome and great dedication my friend. Looks like it really paid off and you are enjoying playing again. That took a lot to do for sure. Well done sir.

[@phillewis3108]

That is some serious dedication! Massive respect. And huge thanks for sharing with us all of the knowledge youve gained!

[@Straightdarts]

Thank you buddy. :)

[@bolerkai]

Wow, that is so inspiring. All this time I thought you were a natural. Now I understand how you got so skilled at coaching. This has become my favorite dart channel on KZbin.

[@Straightdarts]

Wow, thank you! :)

[@domingoleija3436]

I've been getting all my fresh recruits to check your short clips cause I'm still working on release plus making sure they start correctly. I'm 61 and wish I had your classes sooner but at least these young folk are motivated 😊🎯

[@Straightdarts]

Excellent work, buddy 👏 well done. :)

[@Leaveice]

Yeah bro you are definitely in love with the game. What a great student of the game, nothing but respect. Reminded me of Kobe’s mamba mentality.

[@BanjoSoop]

To quote Henry Ford: Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right. Excellent channel!

[@jdubsk8r]

Incredible! Thank you for sharing your story 🙏🙌

[@weimarutube]

A very admirable story!! I’m playing with a guy that had to switch to left arm due to an injury. He beat me. He’s now back on his right side and really good. I’m can now say with confidence that I’m in a very short list of dart players who has lost to a guy with using both arms!

[@arjanmooijer256]

nothing but respect for you! I also play darts in competition myself, but I also learn from this, thank you👍

[@Straightdarts]

I appreciate that. :) Thank you!

[@TaeChurch]

Your dedication to the sport is unrivalled, nice to see you getting the results you deserve after such an admirable grind, your tips have helped me massively as a new player and I’m starting to find consistency in my game, I average about 50 currently and have hit 2 180’s in practice, I’m aware I have a long way to go but I’m in for the long haul :--)

[@zakllewellyn8086]

Watching this video over and over just switched to left handed due dartitis mad respect man give you credit for it

[@Straightdarts]

Thanks so much buddy! 🙏

[@kimberleylowrie7151]

Awesome...thanks for sharing...Im right handed but left hand dominant and despite practicing i wasn't seeing improvement in my consistency so I decided to try your method so my aim will work better just gotta build strength and technique.

[@boristheblade4052]

What a story what a man👏👏👏 thank you for inspiring me when I really needed it🙏

[@THM2008]

I've hurt my wrist so gonna be taking a month off playing darts but I can't keep away so I've decided to try and learn my left hand for the next month or so and see how good I can get by then. I will be rewatching all your masterclass videos again cos I may as well do it right haha 😊

[@dylanboyd969]

Ur a legend mate one of a kind

[@NickleJ]

Bravo and congratulations.

[@edzejandehaan9265]

That is impressive dedication!

[@Straightdarts]

Thank you. :)

[@eddiehumphreys2905]

Great video Daniel and a good message that applies to more than just darts!! Thank you for all your work and videos, i am still working on all the tips from my throw analysis and i am seeing improvement so thank you so much. Very knowledgeable and inspiring!!

[@Straightdarts]

Thank you buddy!! Keep going and good work. :)

[@philwatson8240]

Unreal. Fair play.

[@collettandy]

Thanks for making the video Daniel after my message last week. Really interesting watch, massive respect for your dedication and never giving up. 👍 I'm only about 2-3 weeks into playing left handed, darts spraying all over the board at the moment and I'll course missing completely too 😂 I'll be taking your advice and trying closer to the board and lowering my expectations a little too. I'm really hoping that the physio tells me later that I will be able to play right handed again, but if it's bad news I'll become a lefty too, definitely won't be quitting.. Keep up the great work mate, ❤ the 🎯

[@Straightdarts]

Good attitude buddy, you keep that and work hard you'll do it. :)

[@afaithfulsaying5158]

Interesting stuff brother. Thanks for sharing

[@DannyA16]

Thanks for this. I have a strange problem in that I am left-handed for writing, but right-eye dominant, right-handed for scissors/tools etc, and right-handed/footed for all other sports. I can’t even write my name with my right hand, nor can I kick a ball with my left-foot. I’ve reached a 55ish average with my right-hand but it just doesn’t feel natural as I never grip a pencil with my right. Using my pencil grip in my left-hand these tips have helped me loads, thanks!

[@BobS-t2c]

I did exactly the same thing.. was diagnosed with RA. Had to switch from right to left. Now i've switched to using both hands depending on the day. I shoot better left handed after i taught myself , but that arm has elbow problems now. So i play with both arms sometimes.

[@sarahwelty9223]

Great video thanks for uploading. I can play darts with my left hand pretty much ok but I'm better with my right. Keep positive!

[@jamesthomas1220]

Good job, I may try the standing closer to board see how that works. I don’t need to switch hands yet but at 57 and leaning one way I need to switch hands to help body get some relief or at least try for some.

[@BrianAshton-w5z]

I'll give my left hand a try mate thank you i also know how i got dartitis 8years and counting but I'll not make that mistake again i dont do anything with my left hand so im going to be like yourself a beginner but i will give it a try

[@skinsin98]

Loved this video. I’m left handed and developed dartitis. I couldn’t release the dart with my left hand without a hitch. Started throwing left handed about a year ago. Finally to the point where getting some consistency. Still no where near competitive darts tho. Would like someone to watch a video and evaluate my throw and see if there are any mechanical mistakes. Would pay of course 😂

[@Straightdarts]

That's literally my full-time Job now. Have a look at my coaching services on my Web :) straighttothepointdarts.co.uk/https-square-online-app-website-users-138733095-sites-967509963149541875-dashboard-editor-product-5-preview/

[@garypavey1528]

I've switched hands for a similar reason. Middle of Superleague season last year got the itis and try as I might I can't play through it. 5 months into playing left handed I'm at about 50 average, but can hit low 70s on a good day, found the outer ring more of a pain than trebles for some reason.

[@telstar-main1085]

I have damaged my main arm (left) from playing to much darts! I am now playing right handed and its improving quite quickly but so frustrating!

[@1ksharp]

thanks for the videos they are really insightful as a relatively new player. I have a question; when im setup to throw, my dart isnt pointing at the 20s, its facing quite a lot to the left toward the 5s. Its very hard on my wrist flexibility to turn the dart further so it is pointing toward the 20s. Do you think this is a problem i should fix? I noticed if i film in slow motion, by darts kick and point to the right before straightening out, they still land in the board straight. Maybe i need to adjust my grip so i can point the dart straight when aiming? Thanks if you can give any advice (:

[@Straightdarts]

It's best not to do this but if you straighten your hand up and flick straight by the point of release it is perfectly fine. The pal of your hand and your elbow keeps to be ponting towards the board at the point of release, and the wrist needs to flick straight forward towards the target. 😀

[@dogmandoug1715]

Top lad 💪🏻

[@Fh-jw5yq]

great video. my right hand has become disabled because of a stroke but im determined to dart left handed. my right eye is my dominant eye though. did changing hands affect how you aimed?

[@Straightdarts]

Yes, my whole throw is different, and I'm also right-eye dominant. I needed aim more central to my face, I have always aimed just over the dart, though.

[@Gertm]

Thank you for the inspirational video! I will think back of this whenever I'm having a bad darting day! Quick question though: My drawback is fairly long, almost going all the way to my shoulder. Can you explain why a long drawback is bad? I can't seem to develop enough power with a short one.

[@Straightdarts]

It's all about timing, the better your technique and the better your timing the less draw back you can play with. Some professionals like a longer drawback but even then it's under 5 inches. It's never that long. The more moment you have in the throw the more that can go wrong. You see so many people lifting their elbow if they draw-back to much or turning the wrist completely sideways. This means you need to straighten up perfectly before release whilst going though with the dart. Again the more you do, the more that can go wrong. The best throws are the simplest throw. The timing is all about acceleration on the release, if your arm is traveling at one speed, your follow though, will not work correctly. It's the same in all sports that require a follow through, golf, football, snooker ect. :)

[@LeeMortimer1994]

Was interesting to hear what you said about draw back and keeping it as short as possible and that's what I want to do but it's so unnatural - feel like I get no power! Would be good to see a video on this?

[@Straightdarts]

Its all about timing. A timing Masterclass is a must. I'll get it on my todo list. :)

[@tomg3833]

Top class, Daniel. Do you ever try and throw with your right from time to time to see if you can?

[@Straightdarts]

Sometimes, I can throw with my right, but it does hurt fairly quickly. The dartitis isn't as bad though.

[@jordankaymarkIIDREAMZII]

I’m left eye dominate and have natural talent I can hit the quadrant I want but not fine tuned as I cam right handed. Should I train lefty. I am in a dart league and do well but I can’t seem to hit hat-ricks all the time. How many hours does it take to just hit bull after bull anytime I want?

[@Straightdarts]

I'd stick with the hand you feel most natural with. I only switched because I didn't have a choice. It really depends on your technique and natural ability. Most players see a big improvement in the 2nd pr 3rd year.

[@ovenstar1]

You get me.worried about my right hand now. I hurt it of all things prooning a tree. Even 5 weeks on its no better. At 57 I don't have that long and only started 4 years ago so depressing 😢

[@Straightdarts]

I'm sure you'll be fine buddy, even if you have to change your throw a little bit. :)

[@timoeichner2176]

I tried with left hand, too, may keep it as well. I recorded myself and technically I felt like my throw with left was much cleaner, the arm after the follow through is straight, my hand is pointing down. With my right hand I always got the problem that my elbow is kicking in to the left unconsciously and after the follow through my arm shows a little to the left and my handprint is way different, my finger on the right hand are showing to the left, like a closed grip, the gap of my elbow shows to the ceiling, when I throw with my left arm the gap shows to the right. Tried to manage it so many times to get the technique right with my right arm but I'm so desperate after few month of not getting it fixed that I might switch to the left hand too, no matter if I'm right eye dominant 😩

[@jamesmazur7699]

Great video here as always Daniel! I have one question for you. How long would you suggest it take to try and get over dartitis before attempting to switch hands? Ive been playing darts for a little over a year now and I’ve been struggling with dartitis over the last 8 months which has made me extremely inconsistent. I have recently even gotten to the point of getting slight dartitis throwing with my eyes closed. I still have nights that I can throw very well, but at the same time nights that I throw the exact opposite. I’ve been considering the thought of switching hands, but I’m not sure exactly the time to fully commit to it

[@Straightdarts]

I tried for 12 months and started ti get through it, when the injury made it more difficult again that was the final straw. But in think 12 to 18 months is normal for most players that have it bad.

[@jamesmazur7699]

@@Straightdarts Thanks a lot for the comment back, I appreciate it! Gets me motivated to know it’s not uncommon to know have it for this long

[@IchliebeHunde58]

Good on ya, mate. If you care about something enough, there is no such thing as too much time spent on it; look at what you ended up with: the ability to play great again (just with your left instead!)

[@Straightdarts]

Thank you buddy! :)

[@deller1026]

I broke my right hand and played left handed for a little while and wasn’t that bad tbh. Just feels alien to start.

[@dylanboyd969]

Weirdly I write left handed play golf left handed bat left handed bowl right handed and ever since I started throwing when I was 11 I always threw right handed and hit my 1st 180 inside few months but last few years I’ve overthinked changed grip throw everything and I suffered bit of dartitis and struggled with nerves playing infront of people and last 2 weeks I couldn’t grip dart tried everything nothing comfortable and got even that bad was hitting walls and everything and left me really upset. So I started throwing left handed and was actually going in board and after day practice even started to manager to hit few 100s and a 125

[@JohnathanMacintyre-e7g]

Played on off for years. Im right handed and just realised im left hand dominant. Might be the reason for all the 5s i hit pmsl. Started throwing with left hand for 10 mins and was hitting 20s good amount of times and felt really comfortable aiming at the board which was weird as obviosly fir so long i have been aiming from the wrong side. My question is would yiu advise to try and stay right handed and try to sim with my left eye somehow or start throwing from scratch with my left hand thannks mate

[@Straightdarts]

I'd never recommend switching hands unless it's a last resort. Iv coached a few players to throw with their opposite hands, but it's so hard. Even when I was playing all time with my left, at my best, I was throwing a 80+ most games, but it would take hours to warm up and get my coordination working effectively. Nothing is natural at all, but I get to play the game I love again and when I do pick a trophy up its worth alot more 😌 Being opposite eye dominant only make a huge difference to a small number of players, but you can work with it. :)

[@JohnathanMacintyre-e7g]

@Straightdarts thanks for your reply mate really love your videos keep up the good work. I feel being right handed and left eye dominant when trying to aim with my left eye everything just feels off. But maybe as they say practice makes perfect.

[@tommy8058]

Wow, you really love the darts. Going through such a lengthy and definitely mentally painful process without knowing if you can even come close to reaching the level you reached before. that really deserves respect. I'm right-handed myself, but I throw with my left hand right from the start (I only really started practicing three months ago). Is there a difference between throwing with the right and left? you should be able to answer it now.😊

[@Straightdarts]

Thank you, buddy! And definitely. Your whole hand eye coordination and dey dominance is different. I need completely different darts and style throwing left-handed. :)

[@tommy8058]

@@Straightdarts I understand. I think that the hand-eye coordination in particular, which you practically had to readjust a big problem was. It's great that you managed to do it all and that you've definitely become even stronger mentally as a result.🎯🙂

[@ZupaTr00pa]

Saw on twitter it's 8 years since you switched. That feels like a long time. Do you think you could have accelerated the process at all? What things did you do that moved the needle further than normal? Over the last 12 months, I've managed to put 15 points on my 3 dart average - 30 to 45 - and 9% on doubles - 8% to 17%. Is that decent improvement for that time frame? Did you see a similar kind of rate at all?

[@Straightdarts]

No, I had no natural ability with my right hand at all. I was plying darts at 8yrs old and I was only throwing a 70 average at 18. When I witched hands, I couldn't hit the board at all. Its natural talent over technique and I'm 100% skill. It's completely learnt.

[@ZupaTr00pa]

@@Straightdarts Thanks for your response.

[@kopfnusskalle__6191]

Did You brake your elbow?

[@Straightdarts]

No, it was a torn tendon. I think a touch of tennis elbows as well but I'm not sure. It still hurts now after heavy lifting.

[@pvfckev8348]

The only thing i can do left handed as im right handed is snooker i cant cue right handed at all

[@RickySheppard-rq2jt]

I have hard job to trow my darts with my left hand

[@terrytoucan6479]

I tried it but I am better throwing both sides of the board right handed.

[@whenmullet2674]

Did you say 3 years to hit the board left handed?

[@Straightdarts]

Yeah, I had dartist in 2013 and didn't get though a leg of darts left hanhed until 2016. It was horrific, no ability with my left at all. Hahaha 😆 😂

[@Thequestionmark_darts]

If I try left I hit the chalker

[@liemikuutio2027]

If you get dartitis you should switch head not hand.

[@Straightdarts]

Dartitis and injury. And it's sometimes hard to enjoy the game with dartitis, I'd rather have a nice throw and enjoy the game.

[@liemikuutio2027]

@@Straightdarts yes, injury is a different thing. I got dartitis, switched hand and when i started to get decent results i got dartitis in my left hand too.

[@dagg310]

strange how doing things left handed made u forget how to close ur mouth when drinking ... lol