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This is a target game in which large darts are thrown underhand towards a similar target dart
- called the ‘Mark’. The game can be played by two or more players. Teams of 7, 9 or 11 people are not unusual.
In singles, each player
has two or four darts of the same colour. In doubles, the players have
two darts. Players toss a coin to decide the right to cast the ‘Lead Mark’
and deliver the first of their Crown Darts.
The lead player must
first set down his ‘Mat’ (delivery circle) on which one foot should be
positioned by all players during the throwing action. After the Mark dart
has been thrown, players take it in turn to lob their darts as near to
it as possible.
One point is awarded
for every dart of the same player or team which is the nearer the Mark
than any other opponent’s dart at the end of the leg. The lead is taken
by the winning player of the previous leg. Most games go to 21 points,
but they may be to 11, 13, 15 or 18. As a rule, a match consists of three
games. 
The darts are about
a foot long (300mm) They have polypropylene flights designed to be held
at the tail; they have a brass body ending in a stainless steel spigot.
A player can choose a brass body of either 125 or 150 grams, to
suit individual playing style.
The darts are aerodynamically
shaped with a twist in the flights which causes the dart to spin, achieve
stability over a distance and land upright in the ground. These flight
characteristics enables the player, with practice, to achieve great accuracy. 
A pitch can be any unoccupied ground which will allow the darts to stick, but will usually be grass or firm
sand. The pitch is agreed among the players and is usually about 20 - 25 metres long and 6 metres wide. 
There are two fundamental
techniques which a player needs to master. Firstly, The Line. This comes
from an accurate under arm swing, in line with the target. The second technique
is to get 'a feel' for the distance. This skill can be achieved only with practice.
Getting used to the weight of the dart, and throwing with a controlled and co-ordinated
strength comes with lots of practice! There is no other way! The game encourages
players to become more and more skilful so that highly competitive games
can develop. Or, equally important, the game simply gives players
plenty of opportunities for sociable fun. |
