1. Scorekeeper's Shall Not talk while keeping score!
2. Scorekeeper's Shall Not move about while keeping score, stand
still!
3. Scorekeeper's Shall Not look at the shooter, stand facing the
board!
4. Scorekeeper's Shall Not call out a score, of one dart or all three
-- unless the shooter asks you!
5. Scorekeeper's Shall Not tell a shooter what to shoot or what
combination to shoot for an out!
6. Scorekeeper's Shall Not change a score unless it is brought to
the attention of both shooters (teams).
7. Scorekeeper's Shall Not change a score - regardless - if that
player (team) has shot again and a second score written down. An
error in a shooter's score MUST be corrected before he (team)
shoots again or it stands.
8. Scorekeeper's Shall Not lean out to see where a dart is or is
going nor shall he follow the darts with body or head movement!
9. Scorekeeper's Shall Not show any sign of disgust or excitement
while at the scoreboard!
10. Scorekeeper's Shall Not change the side of the score sheet of
the player in three leg matches..if you start a player on the left side
of the score sheet, continue to keep his score on the left-
regardless of what the bull shots are.
These 10 Commandments were originally written by Sarah
Parsons in the 1970's and have been reprinted countless times in
dart magazines, dart league newsletters, and tournament
programs.
Darter's Manners
Players like to encourage teammates and even compliment
opponents on good play. As in most games, there is also a certain
amount of sportsmanship. When a player is throwing, whether he
is an opponent or teammate, he deserves certain courtesies from
each of us. When a player is on the line:
Don't stand beside him/her and stare at him/her. Stay well behind
the line; don't shuffle or move around.
Don't drop or rattle your darts.
Don't talk to him/her, tell him/her their score or the number he/she
needs. If he/she wants help, they can step off the line and ask for
you or look at you.
Limit encouragement and gamesmanship to before he/she steps
to the line and after his/her turn is over.
In short, do nothing to break a player's concentration while he is
on the line. This applies to opponents and teammates alike.
Have fun and a good time, but remember your manners .
Simple Dart Etiquette
1. Show up on time for a match or call and let someone know you
are running late!
2. Inform your team captain if you cannot make it to the match as
early as possible so that he/she can secure a replacement! It is not
just your time, but also the other players on your team and your
opponents team that should be considered. If you make a
commitment to play, put the time aside in your schedule!
3. A gentleman's game that always starts and ends with a
handshake! Always shake your opponents hand prior to and at
the end of a match and encourage good play!
4. Respect your opponent by keeping your distance when they are
at the oche! Try to stay at least two feet behind them while they are
throwing!
5. Stay quiet and still during your opponents throw!
6. Acknowledge a good throw by your opponent only if it is a good
throw, otherwise you can come across as patronizing someone
and that can be humiliating! Encouragement is always a good
thing!
7. Show your opponent respect by not engaging in conversation
or chit chat during your match with them! There is plenty of time
after the match to talk or have a drink together!
8. Control your emotions and outbursts! These tirades are a
distraction to the matches, a detriment to our sport, and a lack of
respect to your teammates, opponents, and other patrons dining
or drinking in an establishment!
9. Always end your matches the way they were started! A
handshake promotes competition and respect.
10. Treat your partner with respect, even if he or she does not play
up to your level! Things have a way of changing fast!
11. Stay positive!
12. Do not touch your darts until the scorekeeper has tallied up
your score and you are both in agreement on the score!
13. Be patient! Throw your darts AFTER your opponent returns
from the board and is BEHIND you!
14. If you are keeping score, stand still while facing the board, and
do not say anything unless the player at the oche asks a question
about his or her score, where a dart landed, or what he or she
might have remaining. DO NOT TELL A PLAYER WHAT TO
THROW FOR, EVER!
15. Throw only one dart at a time unless you are "SPLASHING IN"
to determine a line up!
16. NEVER throw your darts at anything but the dartboard! Not
only is it embarrassing for the sport, but you look pretty silly
throwing or kicking your darts into the wall after a bounce out or
bad throw!
17. Play by the rules!
18. Take responsibility for your poor throw! Do not try and pass
the blame on to the scorekeeper, lighting, ceiling fan, or the person
throwing at an adjacent line!
19. Stay involved! If you are between throws or games, stay
involved with your teammates' efforts at the oche!
20. Promote the sport of darts:
Join a league
Hold a league position
Be a team captain
Attend league meetings
Keep score when needed
Introduce the game to friends
Run blind draws
Play in the qualifiers
Volunteer to help set up tournaments
Hold dart clinics
Recruit league members
21. Always play your best every game, even if you are in a "Round
Robin" or "Luck of the Draw" and have nothing to gain except
practice! Your opponents expect your best at all times and look
forward to the challenge of playing a better thrower!
22. Thank your league directors and tournament organizers for a
job well done! It truly is a thankless job!
23. If you are a team captain, do everyone a favor by putting bad
sportsmanship complaints in writing and sending them to your
league officers so that the behavior does not continue and be a
detriment to your league and our sport!
24. "Pointing" in a Cricket game IS THE GAME, but excessive
pointing, just to prolong the game, score All-Star points, or
embarrass an opponent, is BAD for our sport! Winning is one
thing but needlessly humiliating an opponent for a trophy or
plaque is another!
