Section 8: Safety Considerations
Every dart used in WDF play carries a metallic needle-shaped point (Rule 1.01), and Rule 1.02 requires that darts be thrown deliberately, one at a time, with the needlepoint aimed at the face of the board — a throw made in any other manner is a foul throw and does not count, a rule that exists as much for safety and fairness as for game integrity.
Standing-position rules exist in part to keep the throwing lane clear of other participants: Rule 14.06 requires a player's opponent(s) to remain at least 60 cm to the rear of the throwing player at the oche, and Rule 14.03 restricts who may be present in the playing area at all (Referee, Caller, Marker(s), Scorer(s), electronic indicator operators, and the assigned players only) while a throw is underway.
Rule 1.07 prohibits pushing a dart into the board, or holding it in place, to keep it from falling out — a practice that would place a hand near other players' incoming throws. Lighting rules in Section 5 require light fittings to be screened so that illumination is diverted away from a player's eyes at the oche (Rule 5.03), reducing the chance of a misjudged, wayward throw caused by glare.
Rule 6.08 permits Member Darts Bodies to adjust board height and oche distance for competitors in special events for disabled persons, allowing the standard throwing geometry to be adapted where a fixed 2.37 m/1.73 m setup would otherwise present a barrier to safe, fair participation.