Wondering how far away you should stand from a dart board? Whether you’re brand new to the sport or a seasoned pro, the question is still often asked among the darting community.
Luckily for you, in this blog, the dart experts and enthusiasts at Double Top Darts are on hand to tell you how to perfect your darts stance. Just make sure you’ve got your favourite darts to hand, and get ready to perfect your throw.
Get ready to master the stance with our easy tips and tricks…
What do we mean by darts stance?
When we talk about dart stance, we’re talking about the proper way to stand when you step up to your dart mat or oche. It’s essentially your foundational body position, and when mastered correctly, it can improve your balance and make you feel more stable when throwing.
The best darts stance is a combination of positioning and balance. We’ve got some more tips further down, but for now, just know that you should be positioning yourself in such a way that your body, eye, arm, and dart all line up with your target.
How far away should you stand from a dart board?
How you stand when throwing darts comes hand in hand with how far away you should be standing. The standard throwing distance for steel tip and soft tip darts should be 7ft 9.25 inches, or 2.37 metres (237cm). This distance is measured horizontally from the front of the dartboard to the back of the throwing line.
The official PDC measurements state that your dartboard should also be hung so that the centre of the bullseye is set at a distance of 1.73 metres or 5ft 8 inches from the floor. You should also make sure your dartboard is hung up correctly and fully secured to your wall to prevent inaccuracy.
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Mastering your darts stance: How should you stand?
Typically, there are four common ways to stand while playing darts:
- The front-facing darts stance - Both feet point directly to the board, with your chest parallel to the wall. It’s arguably the most accurate stance as it brings your throwing eye and arm into a perfect vertical plane with the target.
- The best foot forward darts stance - This involves placing your dominant foot forward at a slight angle, while your back foot stays behind for balance, offering a great mix of balance and reach.
- The angled darts stance - This variation is where your front foot is placed at an angle, while your body is turned partially away from the board. This is quite popular for those with back or hip issues.
- The side-on darts stance - A popular choice among the best of the best, this stance involves standing with your lead foot completely parallel to the oche. Your shoulder, hip and foot are all aligned towards the board.
As their names suggest, they’re pretty easy to explain. While there’s no correct way to stand, the side-on darts stance is one of the most popular choices among your favourite professional players. Here’s more of a breakdown:
Paul Nicholson's Darts School - EP1 -The Stance
Double Top’s Tips for the Perfect Stance
Leaning over the line
Leaning into your shot can actually impact your precision. While both of your feet must remain behind the oche, any other part of your body is free to lean over the line. The further you lean, the closer to your target you will be. However, this does come at the cost of balance, so it’s important you find a happy medium. A sideways stance usually offers the most potential for leaning into a shot, which is why it’s a popular stance.
Find your dominant eye
When you bring your dart up to throw, it’s important to do it with the correct eye. If your dominant eye is not the same as your throwing arm, then a front facing or best foot forward stance might be for you. This allows you to naturally position the dart in front of your good eye while aiming,
Watch the position of your back foot
In every stance we’ve discussed (except for front-facing), the position of your back foot acts as a balance. However, that’s not its only purpose. Moving your back foot to the left or the right repositions your torso and can change the angle of your throw. If you find that your darts are drifting to the left and the right, reposition your back foot to change the angle so you’re facing the board.
Lunging when throwing the dart
If you’re new to darts, it’s quite common to use your whole body when making your throw. Lunging or even jumping forward will change everything about where and how your dart is released, and it will negatively affect your aim. You want your body to remain still throughout your throw, and all movement should be in your arm only, mainly your elbow and wrist.
Don’t be afraid to experiment
Ultimately, finding the perfect stance is less about following a rigid blueprint and more about discovering what feels natural for you. The ideal setup is one that you can replicate thousands of times without any fatigue. If you’re forcing it, then you won’t be able to maintain consistency, and you might break down under the pressure.
Watch the moment Mitchell Lawrie became World Youth Champion and see if you can take inspiration from his stance:
Things to consider for your perfect dartboard setup
Now you’re feeling more confident, it’s time to step up to the oche. It’s all well and good knowing how to stand, but have you got all the equipment you need? With over 3,000 products stocked on our website, we’ve got everything you need to make sure your stance is correct.
Stock up on all the essentials, like:
- The dartboard - There’s no point mastering your stance if you haven’t got a target. Shop dartboards and dartboard surrounds with one quick click
- The dartboard accessories - Customise your darts and dartboards with the right accessories
- The right oche - Your oche is the foundation for your throw. Make sure you’re standing the correct distance away and throw with confidence
We’ve got plenty more great tips when it comes to perfecting your dartboard setup.
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Throw with confidence with Double Top Darts
We hope this blog has answered your question: ‘How far away should you stand from a dart board?’ and given more clarity on the way you should stand. Remember, your dart's stance should definitely not be overlooked, as it’s essential for a straight and consistent throw.
Here at Double Top Darts, we’re passionate about the sport. Now that you’ve mastered your stance, get ready to throw. If you’re missing any equipment, be sure to check out our darts on sale and explore great prices among your favourite darts brands like Winmau and Harrows.
Looking for more info? Be sure to get in touch. We’re more than happy to talk about all things darts and answer any enquiries you may have.
