Youth Darts

Hi all,

I want to go off topic from my recent posts and talk about something many players and organizers tend to overlook. Youth Darts!

I started playing darts with my father when I was around 16 years old. I was never involved in organized youth darts, I am not even sure it was available in my area back then.   But my dad was excited I was interested in playing with him and friends in the garage.

Youth Darts is the key to making sure our great game continues well past our generation!

Many great players came through various youth programs. Chris White for one, was a Canadian Youth National Champion MANY years ago lol

Youth Darts teaches the kids many valuable lessons that go way beyond darts.    Good sportsmanship and proper etiquette will go a long way in life, and taught at an early age will help in making sure our youth players will grow up to be successful adult players if they choose to do so.

I know for myself, I tend to get numbers mixed up.   To this day it is still hard for me to do math on the fly.   It is more about remembering what you have left  if single or next pie triple is hit.   Starting young gives the kids an advantage to learning how to think ahead of the game, not just the 3 darts in your hand.

The picture is my son Tyler and I after our win at the recent Camellia Classic Youth/Adult shoot.  
It is a good format to help the kids in taking their own outs.   Youth throws the bull and alternates with the adult.   Once down below 100, the kids take over by themselves bringing it down and have to hit the winning double.

I would personally like to see more Youth singles events held locally. But any time we can get the Youth involved, we are securing our future in the game.

So if your kids are interested in playing, get them started off playing the right way. Give them some basic practice routine to work on. Who knows; the next Phil Taylor may be sleeping in your house!!!

Scotty Burnett