Aiming theory

I am now faced with the prospect of some time off from darts and this could not have come at a better time because I suffered total collapse of my game the other day. I could not hit the proverbial cow's backside with a banjo and my head has been in a complete spin as to how to combat this. What started out as a slight question in my mind about the best oche position (central or sided) has quickly escalated into the belief that I need to systematically get to grips with all the tiny elements of the throw I have so far neglected. Namely:

• Eye dominance-do I need to line up the dart and target more with my eye, or at least a point on my hand for reference
• Aiming- do I need to align and focus the dart (shooting theory) or the target as I have been trying to do. My natural inclination is to focus a part of the hand initially then the target on release but I have also experimented with focussing the target only but is this correct?-I need to find out or at least settle on a method
• Breathing-do I need to consider a breathing rhythm a la Phil Taylor to exhale and then throw for maximum stillness?
• Oche stance-do I need to experiment further with extreme oche positions or invest in a proper sight-right?
• Grip-I have always taken John Part's advice ('Part's darts' which I cannot find the link for) that the grip will evolve naturally if you take care of the other aspects of the throw but I could try a change to a more precise pencil grip and see if one or two fingers on barrel is best
• Rhythm-I suffer from overthinking the third dart so much that I need to devise a steady rhythm that works for me
• Wrist cocking-to what extent do I need to angle my wrist back?

As you can see I have gone completely mad: I actually like my stance, follow through and the overall progress in the smoothness of my throw and it is only one bad match has sent me into a spin. I may have just over-leaned for one session ( I do this when trying too hard) and thrown wobbly darts accordingly and so may not need to analyse everything and change my throw!

Looking at the list I have just concocted the most fundamental issues would seem to be aiming and grip. I could spend a session messing with grip and see if I am able to throw with alternative grips but I expect that forgetting about grip will end up being the best option. Aiming I have to admit is a key issue that I have been deferring sorting out and need to tie in with oche position as one affects your perception of the other. I could spend a couple of sessions throwing say, 100 darts from extreme left and right positions and the record the results. I should note not just targets achieved but also the angle the darts go into the board, since this will reveal which is the most consistent throw. I have done this sort of thing before but only with moderate shifts in oche position so more extreme shifts could well strengthen or counter my existing theories on the matter. I will also read up on how to exploit eye dominance because a lot of darting theorists are so sure that you must draw the dart back in front of your dominant eye but Tony O'shea for example has thrown a 9 dart finish drawing to his shoulder. Raymond Van Barneveld is another example that counters this theory because Barney draws to the side of his face and I am pretty sure feels the weight of the dart as his aiming mechanism instead of lining everything up like many armchair experts recommend. I think the best aiming method for me will turn out to be the one that gives my right (dominant) eye the best view of the board and allows my thumb to pull back towards my shoulder blade and then follow through with my arm in a straight plane: whether or not I can get the thumb or the dart in alignment with my dominant eye remains to be seen.