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Dart Tips

  • Action: many people think or talk about taking action and of getting what they want, but few are prepared to take action and make it happen...
  • Barrel: if you have the best grip, you are going to get three things: control, consistency and accuracy. If you do not have the proper grip, then those three items go out the window no matter how much knowledge you have and practice you perform.
  • Grip: you are ONLY going to get the BEST GRIP from a grooved dart. These grooves incidentally, need to be wide enough for the skin on your fingers to get into.
  • The elbow: stays in position when moving the dart backward; and at some point in the acceleration phase starts to go up. The elbow should not stay fixed during the throw. A fixed elbow forces you to release the dart earlier.
  • The shoulder: is the only point in the whole dart throwing process that does not change its position. You must not move your body while throwing. The only throwing action comes from your arm.
  • The wrist: a wrist snap will make the dart go faster and you will be able to put less force in your throw. This will improve accuracy. The danger in the wrist snap is that it is one more thing that must be controlled which becomes one more source for error.
  • Aiming: focus on the target, not the dart. Most dart players aim naturally, but surprisingly some beginners do not do it right from the start. It is a must DO, so do it.
  • Readiness: don’t shoot unless you feel really ready. Ready means you are confident, focused and relaxed.
  • Release: if you are having problems with your release, you are not raising your elbow or following through. This is the critical point for your wrist-snap. The hand must be in the correct angle to the forearm here. If it is too far, your dart point is down at the release point.
  • Follow-through: the best way to follow-through is to end up with your hand aiming at the target. Do not let your arm drop after the release.
  • Stance: your body should be in perfect vertical alignment from your ankle to your wrist. Work from the floor up and have your ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, and wrist all on the same vertical plane.
  • Lunging: is one of the worst habits, as it affects the entire body and throw. Lifting the foot even partway from the floor deprives the body of good balance during the crucial moment of follow-through.
  • Be confident: this will allow you to relax. To become confident you need to get in THE ZONE. Do not worry if one of your darts (or even if a lot of your darts) goes astray. Keep to your game plan.
  • Warm-up:before important league matches and tournaments. this is where you want to get rid of any possible technical problems. Remember... this is a warm-up not practice!
  • Commit to your target: throw the dart and enjoy the glorious sound of the dart hitting the board!
  • Expect to lose: striving for perfection is unrealistic.
  • Focus on each dart game separately: each dart opponent is different. Try to keep your dart game the same while respecting your opponents differences in speed and technique.
  • Imagery: an imagined experience is as valuable as a remembered past experience! You often do things best when you have done them before, and so, this process helps create the quality performances you truly desire.
  • Inner strength: involves strengthening resolve, dealing with failures, and introducing strategies to handle whatever comes your way, efficiently and comfortably.
  • Participate: in golf, bowling, shooting or billiards as these activities require the same mental skills as darts. Playing these sports acts as mental cross training for players who want to improve their mental game.
  • Practice: everyone plays better in practice. Quantity and quality of practice coincides directly with an increase in ability. If you think you play better during match play then ...YOU’RE NOT PRACTICING!
  • Solitaire: the only way to make your current personal limit your future standard is practicing alone. Practicing with partners, no matter if they are better or worse than you, only forces you to raise your limit above theirs. Practicing alone constantly forces you to raise your limit above yourself, and this limit is higher than you might dream of!
  • Do not continue a bad practice: if you are unfocused and having a really bad practice, there is no sense practising bad darts. Give it a rest and try again later.
  • Spinning the dart: is often done inadvertently, and is a symptom of uneven release. As the hand opens, if the thumb leaves the dart before the fingers, the dart will roll sideways off the fingers, causing the dart to spin. All parts of the hand should leave the dart at nearly the same time to ensure level flight.
  • The Zone: eliminate all the thoughts that hold you back. Create a relaxed yet aware mental state. This is the feeling that you are at the peak of your ability, where your game is smooth and competent, and your performance is the best it can be. Once your mind is free from distraction you are able to operate on a different level.
  • Training Darts: try using a really light weight, short dart with low drag flights to practice technique and follow-through. The concept is that the lowest mass-to-drag ratio of the dart enables the player to determine with pinpoint accuracy whether their dart is released correctly.
  • Visualization: techniques where you actually "see" your shots before you take them are powerful techniques to improve not only your practice sessions, but also competitions as well.
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play tips
EDMONTON LADIES DART LEAGUE TECHNICAL STUFF

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OBJECTIVES:

  1. To improve our Singles game of darts
  2. Show good sportsmanship
  3. Have FUN

RULES OF PLAY:

  • Games start at 7:30 pm.
  • There will be a 10 minute grace period for players who are late, but at 7:40 pm 1st match is forfeited if player/players have not arrived
  • No matches are to start prior to this time without the consent of the Director
  • NDFC start:
  • The order of play shall be determined by a coin toss. The winner of the toss shall throw first in the first leg of the first set and alternate legs thereafter in that match, except for the final leg in the final set if required to be played. The loser of the toss shall throw first in the second leg of the first set and alternate legs thereafter in that match, except for the final leg of the final set if required to be played.
  • In the last and deciding leg of the last and deciding set, the winner of the original toss shall have the option of throwing first at the bull, or having the loser of the toss throw first at the bull. The winner of the bull will start the last leg of the last set of the match.
  • As members of Darts Alberta we can follow the policies outlined by DA to run our league (guideline only if problems arise)
  • NDFC rules will be in effect (guideline for starting games, etc,)
  • In the event of any disciplinary actions not resolved within the ELDL, as members of Darts Alberta we will follow the policies outlined by DA

FORMAT:

  • Matches will be 3 games of 501 straight in double out
  • Each rotation will consist of every player having played every player once. The number of rotations and players depends on the number of players registered.
  • 4 matches / night ( if time becomes an issue then it may be necessary to change back to 3 matches /night)

SPECIAL EVENTS:

SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP:

  • Round Robin format (3 games)
  • BLIND DRAW (ties broken by count back rule and if still a tie 9 darts for score)
  • Single knockout throughout — format is Best of 5 until the finals
  • Finals are Best of 7
  • Cut off is at 6:45 pm, Start time is 7:00 pm
  • If you hold a bye for the Provincials then you are not eligible to play in this event

ZONE PLAYDOWNS:

  • Round Robin format (3 games)
  • BLIND DRAW (ties broken by count back rule and if still a tie 9 darts for score)
  • Double knockout throughout— format is Best of 5 until the finals
  • Finals are Best of 7
  • Cut off is at 6:45 pm, Start time is 7:00 pm
  • If time permits 1st round of playoffs will be held on the same night

END OF REGULAR SEASON:

  • Round robin format (3 games)
  • Single knockout throughout— format is Best of 5 until the finals
  • BLIND DRAW (ties broken by count back rule and if still a tie 9 darts for score)
  • Finals are Best of 7
  • Cut off is at 6:45 pm, Start time is 7:00 pm

Winner of the Singles event will have a bye into the Alberta Adult Provincials
**Winners of the 4 positions of the Zones Playdown will have their entries paid for into the Zones and Alberta Adult Provincials** (awaiting confirmation of sponsorships)

Special Circumstances:

  • If a player is unable to attend a night of play, it is up to the player to inform their 1st match opponent.
  • If a spare list is available the top player on list is called first and rotated through list until all players have had a chance to spare for the league.
  • The league will begin to accumulate the number of 180’s recorded for the players starting from the 2008-2009 season 6- 180’s = SILVER Dangle and 12 -180’s = GOLD Dangle.
  • The last round of the night can start prior to the next round ending if agreed upon by players involved
  • The Director has the discretion to end the scheduled night or event due to time restraints. Players leaving prior to the Directors’ decision may call for that player forfeiting their remaining matches.
  • LOONIE POT will not carry over and be awarded each night of play
  • Players will record their stats based on Tons, 140’s +, any 170’s and all 180’s.
  • High Scores and High finishes will also be recorded
  • Registration fee is $ 35.00 payable on the first night of registration.
  • Refunds will only be given to players who have not thrown a dart on the first night of play
  • Any discrepancies or protest are to be dealt with on the night of play
  • If a decision cannot be rendered on the night in question then the committee along with the Director have a 2 week window  to resolve the issue
  • The Director – Shannon Pollock does have the discretion to make final decisions
  • There is a ZERO TOLERANCE for abuse and a warning /consequences will be issued
  • ALL COMPLAINTS/SUGGESTIONS  ARE TO BE IN WRITING ( only matters pertaining to the nights event will be discussed)
  • No changes will be made during the season unless it pertains to the schedule. If a player or players drop out of the league and no other player is found to fill their spot the Schedule must be adjusted accordingly to the number of players left.

Good Luck
Shoot well and Good Luck

Shannon Pollock
Director
Edmonton Ladies Dart League

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