How to Improve Your Darts Stance: A Coach's 5-Step Checklist

October 4, 2026

Your stance is the foundation of every dart you throw. If your feet, hips and shoulders move from throw to throw, your darts will land in a different place each time, however good your arm action is. Here's the stance checklist we use at the start of every 1-to-1 session in our Wallingford coaching room.

1. Find your dominant eye line

Most players aim with their dominant eye, so line up the dart, your eye and the target in one straight line. To find your dominant eye, point at the bullseye with both eyes open, then close one eye. If the bull stays behind your finger, the open eye is your dominant eye.

2. Front foot position

For a right-handed player, the right foot goes forward (and the left for a left-hander). Many players set their front foot at 30–60 degrees to the oche rather than square on. There's no single correct angle. What matters is that the angle is comfortable, repeatable and lets your throwing arm move straight towards the target.

3. Weight and balance

Put most of your weight on your front foot, with the back foot there for balance. Leaning too far forward makes you rock, and standing too upright can make the arm do all the work. A good test: throw a full visit, and if your back heel lifts or your body sways, your balance needs work.

4. Keep your body still

Only your throwing arm should move. Head, shoulders and hips should stay still from setup to follow-through. A body that moves is one of the most common causes of darts drifting left or right.

5. Make it repeatable

Mark your front foot position on the oche, or use the same board mark every time, so your stance is identical each visit. Consistency beats a "perfect" stance you can't repeat.

Quick stance practice drill

Throw 3 darts at the treble 20 and stay completely still until the third dart lands.
Check whether your feet, head or shoulders moved.
Repeat 10 visits, focusing only on staying still, not on the score.