“I can’t... feels like you’d break your ankle” - Joe Cullen admits struggle with Phil Taylor-inspired stance
PDCWednesday, 01 July 2026 at 12:00
Joe Cullen has spent much of 2026 trying to turn solid floor form back into a bigger stage run, but the former Masters champion is not searching for gains by copying every technical trend on the oche.
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Cullen, who came within one dart of winning the 2022 Premier League final against Michael van Gerwen, remains inside the world’s top 32 and has already reached a Players Championship final this season.
Speaking to Winmau, the 35-year-old offered a closer look at one of the small details behind his throw.
“I throw from here. It feels like I’m throwing from here, but I’m not,” Cullen said. “So I stand to the left of the oche, because my arm is actually at the centre of the board.”
“Phil Taylor’s done it. Loads of players do”
Asked about his foot position, Cullen confirmed he stands straight on, before reacting to the idea of pushing that stance further.
“Yeah, I’m straight on. I can’t... that feels like you’d break your ankle,” he said, after the presenter referenced Chris Dobey and the suggestion that the stance had given him “an extra five per cent”.
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Cullen then brought Phil Taylor into the conversation, acknowledging that plenty of successful players have made that approach work without feeling tempted to force it into his own throw.
“Phil Taylor’s done it. Loads of players do, but I feel more off balance like that,” Cullen admitted.
Cullen in action
Luke Humphries was also mentioned as another player known for standing straight on, but Cullen’s own setup is based more on where the dart comes through than where his body appears to be lined up.
“I think I’m probably in line with double 11 there,” he continued. “But when the dart comes up, to me that feels like I’m in line with the middle of the board.”
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Asked whether he uses a reference point on the oche, Cullen said there is no fixed marker guiding him into position. “No, just to the left,” he said. “It’s always just what I know.”
For Cullen, still looking for his first title of 2026, the explanation offered a reminder that even proven winners are working from feel as much as theory.
Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
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