Do you enjoy playing darts, but want to improve your skills? Anyone who has ever played darts knows that it’s a game of skill and precision. But did you know that there are specific training aids and practice tips that can help improve your game?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the best ways to improve your darts skills. We’ll also explore some of the top training aids available on the market today. So if you’re looking to take your darts game to the next level, be sure to read on.
Table of Contents
At a Glance – Darts Training Aids
Last update on 2024-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How Many Hours a Day Should You Practice Darts?
A common question that many beginners have is how many hours should I practice darts?
You don’t need a lot of time to become a decent dart player. Most people can pick up a dart and throw a bullseye (this isn’t always the best target) within minutes. What separates the good from the great is consistency, patience, strategy, and lots of practice.
To answer this question, you need to think about how much time you have per week that you can dedicate to honing your skills. You also must ask yourself what kind of level do I want to play at (i.e., casual or competitive). If you’re not sure how many hours it takes to practice darts then here are some rough estimates:
Casual Darts Player – 0-10 Hours Per Week
If you’re just looking for some casual gameplay, then 10 hours of practice is too much. Most weekend warriors that are playing for fun would benefit more from 2-3 hours per week.
Competitive Darts Player – 10+ Hours Per Week
If you’re practicing to become a competitive darts player, then the sky’s the limit on how many hours you can dedicate each day. It’s not unheard of to see some players practice 40-50 hours per week in order to get ahead. So keep in mind that some professional darts players train like sports athletes by practicing almost daily (5 days per week).
How do I Get Better Accuracy in Darts?
First, let’s do an equipment check starting with your darts. Are they:
- Correctly assembled?
- Flights in straight?
- Are the barrels grippy enough?
You don’t have to have super expensive darts to get better but it may be something you can invest in if you want to put a lot of time into the game. Here are the darts currently used by the World Champion, Peter Wright.
- Set of 3 x 90% premium quality Red Dragon tungsten darts
- Red Dragon NitroTech stems
- Red Dragon Hardcore Snakebite flights
- The Euro-11 version of Snakebites dart is the longest and...
Last update on 2024-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Darts Training Aids
When it comes to darts, accuracy is everything. If you’re wanting to improve your game, then there are a few training aids that might help:
1. Winmau Outshot Dart Mat With Finishes
Introducing the Winmau Outshot dart mat – perfect for both amateur and professional darts players.
This full-length, soft-feel fibre dart mat is lightweight and easy to roll up and store away when not in use, with non-slip PVC composite edging and underlay for added safety. Official tournament oche measurements are printed on the mat, along with every finish from 100 to 41.
The Outshot Dart Mat by Winmau is a must-have for any serious darts player!
Pros:
- Improves stance grip
- Finish chart
- Help with stance consistency
Cons:
- Over $100
- Winmau Dartboard Mats
- Protect your floor from stray darts
- Create an oche line
- Available in a variety of designs and materials
Last update on 2024-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Peter Wright Snakebite Exclusive & Official Darts Practice Rings
The Peter Wright Snakebite official darts practice rings are a revolutionary aiming and grouping device for darts.
With sleeker, stronger rings that are specially designed to help prevent breakages, they are a proven solution to help target specific scoring areas, and improve your overall game.
They come with two sets of rings & pins per pack, 2 x progress charts & targets, and 4 x practice games included.
Pros:
- Helo aim consistency for intermediate players
- Affordable
- Pins included
Cons:
- Only circular shapes included
- Each set has 5 different levels of practice ring - from beginner...
- Two sets of rings & pins per pack
- 2 x progress charts & targets
- 4 x practice games included
Last update on 2024-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Dart World Out Chart Poster
This Dart World Out Chart Poster will help you improve your game by giving you an easy-to-read reference of out charts for 301 and 501.
Color-coded for clarity, this poster makes it simple to choose the right way to finish your throws.
With dimensions of 18″x24″, this poster is perfect if you want a large, easy-to-read reference guide.
Pros:
- Help learn finishes
- 301 and 501 and color coded
- Cheap
Cons:
- Takes up space on the wall
- Dimensions 18"X24"
- If you need help with your outs…this is it.
Last update on 2024-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Check out our article on converting soft tip to steel tip darts.
4. RED DRAGON Gerwyn Price Iceman Exclusive and Official Darts Practice Rings
Start your journey to becoming a darts champion with RED DRAGON’s Gerwyn Price Iceman Exclusive and Official Darts Practice Rings.
Learn to throw with the rhythm and poise of a world champion with these scientifically tested practice rings, helping you improve with easy visual progress. each set has 5 different levels of practice ring – from beginner to pro.
The set includes 2 sets of rings & pins (5 rings & pins per set in blue and white), 10 x progress charts, 2 x progress targets and an instruction leaflet. Iceman practice rings make aiming, grouping and finding your perfect rhythm easy in progressive stages; sleek and durable, this proven solution helps target specific scoring areas and improve your overall game.
Pros:
- Instrucitons included
- 2x sets of rings
- Affordable
Cons:
- Some don’t like practice rings
- Learn to throw with the rhythm and poise of a World Champion with...
- Each set has 5 different levels of practice ring - from beginner...
- The set includes x2 sets of rings & pins (5 rings & pins per set...
- Also included is 10 x progress charts, 2 x progress targets and...
Last update on 2024-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Dart World Outchart Throw Line
Looking to up your game? Check out the premium Dart World throw line.
Made of durable lexan material, this line is designed to withstand constant wear and tear. With clear finishes listed, you’ll be learning them in no time!
With a reverse silk screened process that prints from underneath, it won’t peel or fade with time. So take your dart throwing to the next level with our Outchart Throw Line.
Pros:
- Great way to learn finishes
- Doubles as an oche
- Affordable
Cons:
- When standing on it can be tricky to see the numbers
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Practice Games
The full proof way to improve your darts game is to practice, practice and yep, you guessed it, practice some more. However, this can get fairly dull without some proper structure. Try these practice games that allow you to focus on different parts of your game.
Doubles
Doubles boomerang is a great practice game to work on at home and really simple to follow:
- Hit doubles in clockwise order around the board
- Start with 1
- When successful move on to next – eg double 18 then double 4 then double 13 and so on
- Keep track of how many darts it takes you to complete the board
- Try to beat your score the next time
High Scores
High scores are obviously the cornerstone of good darts. This game focuses on the triples of the 3 highest scoring segments of the board. Only attempt one at a time eg start with triple 20.
- You have total 100 darts
- You aim them all at triple 20
- Keep score of how many you hit
- Repeat and try to beat your score
- Then do same for triple 19 and triple 18
Frusutration
The clue is in the name as we’re now taking it up a level. This game focuses on hitting high scores and improving your doubles accuracy.
- You have 3 darts each turn
- With the first 2 darts you MUST score more than 80 points (beginners can lower this number of course)
- If you do not succeed in reaching 80 you don’t get to throw your 3rd dart but must start again
- If you do achieve over 80 points with first 2 darts, you can try for your first double – double 1
- If you miss you have to try again next turn
- Once completed move on to do the same for double 2 and so on
- All doubles must be completed to finish
Final Thoughts
If you want to improve your game, practice regularly with a good training aid and use the tips in this article to help you focus on the important aspects of your game.
Remember, it takes time and patience to become a skilled darts player, but with practice and using the right tools, you can definitely get there. Have you tried any of these methods to improve your darts skills? Let us know how you got on.
You might also like this article: how to 9 dart finish in 501.
Sue has been playing darts since her 20’s when she played in weekly tournaments and she enjoys writing about darts. She’s also a great teacher, and she enjoys helping others learn how to play the game well. When Sue isn’t throwing darts, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
The easy way to keep track of your score is with our printable darts scoresheets. Easy to download and keep on your phone or computer or print straight off from our website. Pop your email address into the box and we'll send them straight to you.
