What is the best way to practice??

Healio

As the title says what is the best way? Just on your own practising or playing with someone? Any special routines anyone wants to share??

ilovelamp2000

I find i need a bit of both.

There's nothing like some time on the board alone to work out any kinks in your throwing action, then the flip side of it is you need some competitive practice to up your game as well.

I've a few different ways I like to practice. I just don't get time to do it enough!

501 - On the first game I give myself 30 darts to finish, if you don't finish within the limit you start again. When you do, take it down to 27, then 24, 21, 18 etc. It gets tough quite quickly.

170 - 9 dart limit, you're always searching for a finish so it keeps you on your toes.

I play round the clock on doubles as well.

Every couple of weeks I practice my accuracy on 20's, 19's, 18's, 17's, 16's, 15's and Bulls. I save my results to excel with a few formulas that work out statistics on it.

Kingp35

Well first off you have to get your stance right. Its very important that you stand the exact same everytime you step up to the oche so practice a few different stances and pick the one that suits you and stick with it. The same goes for your throwing action. Make sure you use the same one everytime. For the first while you will probably have to consciously make sure that your standing the same and throwing the same everytime but eventually it will come second nature to you.

There is nothing like a competitive match to help you practice. If you dont have someone to play then download the software that was posted in a previous thread. This allows you to play against a computer and you can vary the level of difficulty. Its the next best thing to playing another player. It also keeps track of all your stats such as averages etc.

Also you will need to do what Rosco does to practice your doubles etc. Play around the clock, start from 170, from 201 or whatever else to practice your doubles.

Above all you just gotta play. I play for at least an hour everyday and im slowly getting better. Just stick with it.

Ronan|Raven

Even a casual game down the pub can help a lot as it gives you some proper pressure on yer finishes.

Rented Mule

All excellent advice, particularly in regards to your stance and how you hold your darts, your stroke and constant focus.

Another game that is good to keep you sharp is 101 in six darts. Start off the first ten or so games with 'open in - double out' and then as you get warmed up try another 10 games 'double in - double out'

In the end try and finish with your first three throws and then work in different double starts.

I would also recommend that when you do play against someone else that you try and find someone your equal/better at first. Someone that is going to constantly push you to hit each time that you step up to the oche.

Focussing under pressue is probably the hardest lesson to learn, but with this comes consistency.

#1 rule to remember is that it is just a game and nothing in the real world is going to change, no matter whether you win or lose.

If it is not going to be fun, then it is not worth your time