Mindset · 2 min read
What is dartitis?
Dartitis explained: what it is, how it shows up when you throw, and the approaches players commonly try to work through it.
Dartitis is the name players give to a problem releasing the dart. The arm goes through the motion but the fingers won't let go at the right moment, or the throw freezes halfway. It's often compared to the "yips" in golf.
What it looks like
- Pulling the dart back several times before throwing.
- Being unable to release, or releasing very late.
- A jerky or stopped arm action.
- Darts landing well away from where the player intended, without an obvious technical reason.
Five-time world champion Eric Bristow famously struggled with it in the late 1980s, which is one reason the word became widely known.
What players try
There is no single fix, and what helps one player may not help another. Approaches players commonly try include:
- Taking a break from darts for a while.
- Changing the grip, the darts or the stance so the throw feels new.
- Throwing with the eyes closed in practice to take attention off the target.
- Shortening the pre-throw routine so there is less time to overthink.
- Working with a coach or a sports psychologist.
If dartitis is affecting your enjoyment of the game, it's worth talking to a coach. Many players who go through it do get back to throwing freely. Our article on the mental side of darts covers routines that help with pressure more generally.