Lesson 6 – The Release
Purpose of this lesson
To develop a clean, repeatable release that allows the dart to leave the hand naturally, without steering, forcing, or hesitation.
The release is not something you do — it’s something you allow.
Core Principles of a Clean Release
1. Let the Dart Leave the Hand
A good release happens when:
Fingers relax naturally
The dart exists without sticking
There’s no “push” at the end
If you feel like you’re throwing the dart, you’re probably interfering with the release.
2. Finger Extension, Not a Flick
At release:
Fingers extend forward
No napping motion
Wrist stays relaxed
Avoid flicking the wrist to add power.
The wrist responds naturally to the arm’s motion.
3. Timing Matters More Than Force
The dart should leave the before full extension of the hand:
Before full extension of the arm
When the arm is moving straight towards the target
Without hesitation
Late or early release often causes darts to land high or low.
4. Consistent Finger Separation
Your fingers should:
Release together
Move forward, not sideways
Finish relaxed and open
Sideways finger motion is a common cause of left-right misses.
5. Trust the Motion
Second-guessing the release leads to:
Gripping harder
Steering dart
Inconsistent results
Once the throw starts, let it finish.
Practice Drill — Hold and Let Go
Use this drill during practice.
Set your stance, grip and aim
Slowly move through the throw
Focus only on letting go, not throwing
Hold your follow through briefly
Throw:
16 darts at the bull
16 darts at your favorite number
Ignore score. Focus on feel.
Common Release Issues
Dart sticking to fingers – grip to tight
Side spin – fingers moving sideways
Dart dropping low-late release or tension
Dart lying high – Early release or forced push
Fix one thing at a time.
Closing Thought
A good release feels quiet and unforced.
When the release is right:
The dart leaves clean
The follow through happens naturally
Your focus stays on rhythm, not mechanics
Trust the motion. Let the dart go.