Axe throwing is a sport somewhat similar to dart, the axe is thrown at the target board with the aim of hitting it in the center of the targeted board. The target board is made up of wood with different scoring zones such as bullseye and outer rings.
In a normal throw, the bullseye has the maximum score, and the score starts to decrease in outer rings as you throw farthest from the center.
Axe throwers can play this game individually or in teams, and the player or team with the most points at the end of a round wins. Just like any other sport, axe throwing also adheres to predefined rules and regulations that must be followed.
This article is totally dedicated to what is axe throwing, from scoring rules to safety measures and everything you need to know about it.
How To Play Axe Throwing?
There are some basics that must be followed, regardless of whether you are playing for fun or in a competition. As a result, in addition to ensuring smooth performance, this will also ensure your along with your competitor’s safety. Before starting the play, make sure the following:
- A cage surrounds the borders of the area so no one can walk in front of the target board while you’re about to throw. By doing this, you’ll ensure that the people around you are safe.
- Both you and your opponent throw simultaneously, as well as retrieve simultaneously. The safety of both will be ensured this way.
- The wood is soft enough to catch and hold the axe, preventing it from slipping out.
- The axe is sharp enough to be stuck into the wood and doesn’t bounce back. If you’re unsure of the sharpness of the blade, don’t touch it rather hit the wood by standing close to it and see if it sticks deeply.
Once, you’re fulfilled the basic safety measure – it’s time to start playing. While playing with your competitor, you should stand in each other’s lanes. Hold the axe handle with both hands while standing shoulder-width apart. Your dominant hand should be on top of the axe handle, while the bottom of the axe should be supported by your other hand.
Raise the axe above your head and bring it down quickly with all your strength, releasing it at the right time and aiming for the target with the axe. Developing the axe-throwing technique requires time, and coaching. To get complete step-by-step tips on it, read our guide on How to throw an axe like a pro.
Scoring Criteria And Rules For Axe Throwing
As for the rules of axe throwing, certain rules are defined by both World Axe Throwing League (WATL) and the International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) to ensure the safety of throwers, as well as the criteria for determining the winner.
WATL
According to the WATL rules, each game consists of 10 throws. The players switch sides after 5 throws to ensure fair play when there are 2 different types of target boards being used. One foot must be on the floor while throwing and the axe must make at least 1 rotation before it hits the target board.
As per WATL scoring criteria, if you hit the bullseye you will get 6 points, and it starts to decrease by 1 as you hit the outer ring farthest from the center. You can get 8 points if you hit the blue circle at the top of both corners, which is known as a kill shot.
IATF
In accordance with the rules of the IATF, a match is composed of 3 rounds and each round consists of 5 throws per player. A thrower must win 2 out of 3 rounds in order to be declared a winner. The throwers, switch the lanes within each round after 5 throws.
The scoring criteria of IATF differ from the WATL, if you hit the bullseye or the black ring you will be rewarded with 5 points, the middle or red ring has 3 points whereas the outer blue ring has 1 point. Just like WATL, they also have a kill shot which they call “Clutch” which has 7 points.
What Are The Dimensions Of The Targeted Area?
When it comes to maximizing your score and hitting the bullseye, understanding the target board dimensions is essential. Depending on the standards set by the different organizations, the sizes of the board may vary. Most of the time, two standards for the targeted board are followed, WATL and IATF.
According to the WATL, a double side lane consists of two boards and both the boards are 4 feet long and 4 feet wide. The lanes are 12 feet wide having 2 feet distance between the boards and 1 foot from the corners. The bullseye and the kill shots are 1.5 inches in diameter.
On the other hand, the IATF standard for the targeted board is slightly different. The board is 4 feet long and 4 feet wide, with 7 inches diameter of bullseye and 2 inches diameter of the kill shot.
Safety Measures In Axe Throwing
Considering the sharpness of axes and throwing activity, you may have a question Is axe throwing dangerous? It is obvious that any sport that is played without rules and without safety precautions could result in dangerous situations for the players.
Safety measures must be taken into account in order to avoid the risk of injuries. Below are some of the core precautions:
- Wear closed-toe shoes when you’re throwing the axe, this will not only provide you with a stable base for throwing but will also prevent you from being injured if you accidentally drop the axe.
- Make sure you don’t wear loose clothing since they may get caught in the axe and cause injury.
- You should never throw the axe at anyone or at anything other than a target board to ensure everyone, including yourself, is safe.
- Only throw the axe that is in good condition, never throw an axe that is damaged or the handle is loose. Axes with loose handles can slip out and can cause serious injuries.
- During your participation in a venue or league, you should follow all the rules of that venue or league. These rules are established to ensure the safety of all participants.
Besides these, you can also seek instruction from professionals with experience in axe throwing. They can educate you on the safety measures to ensure you’re throwing the axe safely.
Why Is Axe Throwing Popular?
Axe throwing is becoming one the popular sport but what are the reasons it is attracting people?
It is an activity that requires physical and mental focus along with a unique combination of skills and strength to master, and when you hit the right spot, it gives you a sense of accomplishment. There is nothing more satisfying than hitting a bullseye and that makes you want to keep playing more and more.
Furthermore, it is an excellent way to release stress, there is research that if you strike or punch something release the stress so if you have ever hit a wall or object while feeling stressed, try throwing an axe. Axe throwing can be used as a way to relieve stress and can be used as a form of therapy to help you cope with your stress.
In addition to these, there are a lot more reasons why axe throwing is growing as a popular sport. If you wish to find out what they are, refer to the in-depth guide on why is axe throwing popular.
FAQs:
A thrower aims at the target and throws with the motive of hitting the bullseye to score more points than his competitor.
Axe throwing is not hard for those who are willing to learn the technique while it could be hard for those who throw without learning the technique. It’s about learning with time, just like any other sport, “Practice is the key”.
Axe throwing was a form for training soldiers in the old times and it was also popular among the ones who uses axes in their daily lives. It has, however, gained global attention in recent years as a sport, and it has grabbed attention from different corners of the world.
