Why You Miss Easy Shots (And How to Stop)

Ever nail a crucial double 16 to win, then completely blow an easy treble 20 on the next leg? Your brain is playing tricks on you - here's what's actually happening and how to fix it.

The Two Types of Throws

If you've been playing darts for any amount of time, you've probably noticed something weird: some throws feel effortless and smooth, while others feel forced, rushed, or "lungy." You might think it's just mechanics breaking down, but the real culprit is your brain's autopilot system.

Smooth Throws

Feel effortless
Dart goes exactly where you're looking
You barely remember throwing it
Happens most on routine shots

Forced/Lunging Throws

You feel yourself reaching or pushing
Tension in your arm mid-throw
Awkward release
Usually happens when you suddenly realize the shot matters

What Your Brain Is Doing

Your brain is constantly trying to conserve energy. It's why you can drive home without remembering the trip - autopilot saves mental resources. In darts, this creates a problem:

The brain decides how much effort to spend BEFORE you throw

High-effort mode kicks in for:

Checkout doubles
Close games
Shots after a miss
People watching
Money on the line

Autopilot mode happens during:

"Easy" treble 20s mid-game
Comfortable leads
Routine scoring shots
Mental fatigue from earlier throws

The Lunge Explained

Here's exactly what happens when you lunge at a dart:

You start the throw on autopilot (brain thinks "I've hit treble 20 ten thousand times")
Mid-motion, your brain panics ("Wait, I actually need this!")
You try to add effort while already moving (body reaches/pushes to compensate)
Result: Awkward mechanics and a miss

It's like trying to turn a casual underhand toss into a fastball halfway through the motion - the mechanics fall apart because the effort decision was made too late.

The Setup Phase - Where It All Goes Wrong

Watch any pro throw. Their setup is identical every single time. Not because they're robots, but because the setup is where your brain commits to the effort level.

Compare Your Throws

Next time you practice, pay attention to:

Good throws: Slow, deliberate setup → pause → smooth release Bad throws: Quick setup → rushed into throw → forced/lunged release

The variation happens in the first 2 seconds, not the throw itself.

Five Setup Checkpoints

Your setup probably varies in these areas:

Speed - How fast you bring the dart up to aim
Position - Where the dart stops (eye level? forehead? nose?)
Pause - How long you hold before pulling back
Angle - Dart pointing up, down, or level?
Elbow - Where your elbow settles before you throw

Film yourself for just 10 throws. You'll immediately see the difference between good and bad setups.

The Zone vs. Autopilot

There's a crucial difference between being "in the zone" and being on autopilot - they both feel smooth, but only one produces consistent results.

The Zone (What You Want)

Fully present, aware of every detail
Effortless execution with deliberate focus
You can recall exactly how the dart felt leaving your hand
Time seems to slow down
Mind is quiet but engaged

Autopilot (What You Don't Want)

Mind wandering (thinking about score, previous throw, etc.)
Surprised when dart lands good or bad
Can't remember the throw 2 seconds later
Pure mechanical repetition
Checked out mentally

Simple test: After your next throw, can you describe exactly where your elbow was? In the zone, yes. On autopilot, no clue.

The Fix: Build a Setup Ritual

Pros don't have better mechanics than you - they have better consistency triggers. Here's how to create yours:

Step 1: Find Your Tempo

Test three speeds for your setup-to-release:

Slow (3-4 seconds): Forces engagement, prevents autopilot. Can cause overthinking.
Medium (1-2 seconds): Most pros land here. Deliberate but flowing.
Fast (under 1 second): Pure rhythm. Works great until autopilot sneaks in.

Film 30 throws at each speed. Whichever has the tightest grouping and fewest lunges wins. You'll probably land on medium-slow.

Step 2: Create Your Checklist

Make a mental (or verbal) checklist you run through EVERY throw:

Set stance
Raise dart to [your specific spot]
Check elbow position
Pause [count 1-2]
Begin throw

This seems simple, but it makes autopilot impossible. You can't check boxes and zone out at the same time.

Step 3: Never Vary

Once you find your rhythm and ritual - lock it in. No "this shot is easy so I'll speed up" or "this is crucial so I'll go slower."

Same setup. Every. Single. Throw.

The consistency itself becomes your focus trigger. Your brain learns: "This ritual = full engagement required."

Why High-Level Players Notice This More

If you're a naturally analytical player or have strong pattern recognition, you actually have it harder. You notice when you're autopiloting mid-throw. Most players don't catch it until after the miss.

Seeing the mistake in real-time makes you try to fix it mid-motion - which is exactly what causes the lunge.

The solution is the same: commit to effort level BEFORE the throw starts via your setup ritual.

Implementation This Week

Here's your action plan:

Practice Session 1:

Film yourself throwing at a treble
Watch only the setup phase
Note the differences between good and bad throws

Practice Session 2:

Test the three tempos (slow/medium/fast)
30 throws each
Count groupings and lunges
Pick the winner

Practice Session 3:

Create your setup checklist
Practice it on EVERY throw
Don't worry about score - focus on consistency

All Future Sessions:

Same tempo, same ritual, every throw
After each throw, recall one specific detail (tests if you were present)
Adjust ritual if you find yourself autopiloting

The Bottom Line

You don't miss easy shots because your mechanics suck. You miss because your brain went on autopilot, then tried to fix it mid-throw.

The solution isn't more practice - it's making mental engagement automatic through a setup ritual that forces your brain to commit before you throw.

Build the ritual. Lock in the tempo. Stay present. Watch your consistency soar.

Want more mental game tips? Check out our guide on practice routines that build competition-ready focus.