dartbase.com - The Dart Thrower

FAQ - wrong eye vision


Hi Karl, I have a tough one for you.
I am getting interested in Darts to the point
where I want to join a league someday.
I have a problem that may not be easy to solve.
I am right handed, and I only have vision in my
left eye, thus I tend to turn my right shoulder &
head to the board so I can line up the dart with
my left eye. I know this isn't the correct way
to stand, but I don't know what else to do.
 I have tried shooting with my left arm but I
just can't get use to it. Should I try perhaps
holding my right arm over in front of my left eye?
With only one eye, I learned to shoot Pool very 
well, Ahh but Darts thats a different matter. 
Perhaps you can try shooting with your left eye
and right arm with your right eye closed. This may
help you get a feel for my problem.
Interesting problem. I'm right handed and have same view with both eyes. I tried to close my right eye and surprisingly had 'bout no problems! I only had most darts on the 5, so not far away. I had no problems finding an aiming point.

Then I closed my left eye and the darts where just about everywhere, and I'm standing in the usual right foot forward stance and shoulders in an angle of about 70 - 80 degrees to the board.

I thought about a reason for this, and I think it's because when I close the left eye I see my hand with the dart and nothing else of the board, so in time it seems my left eye took control when throwing darts subconciously.

My technique is quite usual, I only do my forearm not vertically when throwing, it's about 30 degrees to my left eye. Therefore I would suggest as a solution for you to throw a normal righthand technique, aiming from your left eye, thus having an angle of maybe about 30-45 degrees to the left in your forearm.

If you can find video tapes from 'embassy world champion- ship' in Britain, you should look for pro Bobby George. He does the same unusual forearm angle, he is right handed and throws from his left eye. I don't know which year he competed, so you should browse through the tapes or ask friends about tapes (I don't have some at the moment, just lended them away without getting back :-(((( ).

And, at last, don't be frustrated when results are poor when beginning to throw darts. Your problem for sure isn't very easy to solve, but from trying by myself I'm quite convinced you can pick up the challenge. It just requires the '3-reasons-for-getting-good-in-darts' rule: practice, practice, practice.