How To Throw An Axe – 6 Fundamentals Of Axe Throwing
Who wouldn’t want to be a good thrower and hit the bullseye in their first knock? Obviously, it’s a dream shot for all but not everyone achieves it due to not having proper guides or throwing techniques that ultimately enhance accuracy.
Thus, you want to improve your throwing skill, but you aren’t sure what are the key points to master axe throwing. According to Jerry Gilbert, there is no right or wrong way to throw an axe; it all depends on what you adjust with it and the amount of time and effort put into practice.
However, you can’t ignore the basic rules and fundamentals of how to throw an axe way that will help you to keep your game improving with time. This guide is all about how to hold the axe in the proper position and deliver a perfect throw.
The Fundamental Of Perfect Axe-Throwing
A perfect throw always depends on appropriate elements that you need to know in your first stance. While you preparing for a throw in the venue, the following key point should be followed as it directly connects with a possible perfect throw.
- Find A Perfect Distance: The first and foremost thing you will notice is the distance or position before throwing the axe. It’s important to know as it directly impacts the rotation of the axe. The best way is to take a marker and start hitting the axe on target while directly in line with the bullseye and keep changing position until you find the spot.
- Setup A Throwing Stance: Identifying a suitable stance is one of the critical parts of axe throwing. All you need to determine by the consistent approach of applying the stance that is easy and repeatable without disturbing your pace while playing. One-handed and two-handed are the most popular stances around the axe thrower.
- Identify A Grip Style: The style of your grip directly impacts your distance of throw and control over the axe. The lighter grip is mostly used by the top thrower as it assists in the quick release on the spot however in the fast throwing, the tight grip is also unavoidable. When it comes, to how your hand places while gripping, you can use the grip where your all fingers are placed backward and your both thumbs line up on the front in a two-handed stance however you can also try a normal hammer grip which is also widely used.
- Adjust A Throw According To The Target: The target board also impacts your throw and you need to know the board attributes to identify how difficult the axe sticks with the board without a drop. The hardness or softness of the board are the two common nature where you have to adjust the rotation of the axe that stick with the board parallel which is ideal however if the board is rigid, it’s recommended to rotate the axe towards the axe tip to minimize the drop of the axe. You can adjust the axe rotation by changing your distance by moving forward or backward.
- Consistency Is The Key: To master axe throwing, you would definitely need consistency to find new methods and techniques that suit you.
- Be Confident: Last but not least is confident while throwing the axe. Probably, you may be nervous in the beginning because either axe throwing is safe. All you need to be confident on each throw and doesn’t judge the throw, just keep going by putting in maximum input without hesitation.
Basic Rules For Scoring That You Need To Know
With so much hype and popularity of axe throwing, there are different leagues established however there are two major leagues that followed WATL also called World Axe Throwing League, and IATF, or International Axe Throwing Federation. These both have different rules and dissimilarities in the target of the board.
According to IATF, there are 3 circles and each circle has different scoring that ranges from 1, 3, and 5 as you move from outer to inner whereas the “clutch” is also known as the green dot on the board worth 7 points.
On the other hand, WATL consist of 5 circles in their target board, and the scoring for each circle starts from 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 from outer to inner. The “killshots” or blue dots on the board worths 8 points.
How To Throw An Axe: Different Techniques For Beginners And Advanced Level
After understanding the basic aspect of throwing an axe, it’s time to know what are the different ways or steps to improve the overall throwing experience.
There are two wide techniques used among different bowlers in which one-handed throwing axe is particularly followed by pro bowlers whereas two-handed axe throwing is suggested for beginner throwers however it all depends on you which one is suitable for you.
How To Throw An Axe Two-Handed: Recommended For Beginners
To throw an axe with both hands, it’s recommended to hold the axe carefully with both hands in a line-up position as it directly impacts your rotation and steadiness.
The more you grip the axe handle tight, then it will be harder to keep the axe straight while throwing. It’s recommended to apply a relaxed grip that is not too tight or loose which will ultimately increase your accuracy.
Moreover, the position or spot from where you will throw the axe should face the bullseye. In other words, your body parts including feet, head, arm, shoulder, hands, and axe should face directly to the center of the target board to reduce the ratio of error.
- Step 1: To throw the axe, bring the axe with both hands over the hand just like a thrower does in soccer or football.
- Step 2: Move both hands forward and lock the wrist on eye level and release the axe towards the target board.
- Step 3: At the end, you need to observe each of the throws and adjust your position by moving forward or backward accordingly.
How To Throw An Axe One-Handed: Advanced
While throwing the axe with one hand, we also suggest having a firm grip on the handle of the axe.
- Step 1: Stand in a balanced position and move your opposite foot forward respective to the throwing hand.
- Step 2: Bring your axe back up to the position where your elbow is bent and arm relaxed, and the axe and ear are parallel with enough gap to avoid injuries. The axe almost touches the shoulder once you are ready to move the axe forward.
- Step 3: Move the axe forward and release it by locking your wrist the arm should be straight towards the target board but the handle of the axe straight up and down.
Why Axe Dropped Or Bounce Back: Reasons To Know
As a beginner in axe throwing, it’s obvious to identify why the axe dropped or bounced back. It could be possible whether you’re not standing an appropriate distance from the target board or not applying the techniques.
When the axe hit the target board parallel shows the perfect standing position or distance and you don’t change although sometimes the axe does not hit the target board as it should need some changing in the position.
There are the following possibilities that may cause inaccurate shots.
- Under-Rotation: In under-rotation, the handle/bottom of the axe hits the board and you have to lower the grip and step back in order to avoid it.
- Over-Rotation: When the top of the axe hits the board shows over-rotation and in such a situation, you have to move forward accordingly and put the thumb back of the handle.
- Wrist Flickering: If the axe is over-rotated, you have to avoid the wrist flickering that mostly occurs in a two-handed stance. In such a situation, check out your wrist, and make sure the motion should come from the wrist, not from the elbow or shoulder. Ensure the axe is perpendicular to your arms and the elbow is straighter.
What Axe Should I Use?
It’s essential to know, what type of axe or what characteristics of the axe can perform better during throwing. Before choosing the axe, one must understand the rules and regulations of the axe and forget to take safety precautions to keep playing safe.
The axe should be sharp enough to stick the board perfectly, It has an appropriate weight preferably lightweight, and a good size handle that should not too long or short.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate and want to become an expert in axe throwing, it’s essential to know how to throw an axe. You can follow the one-handed that is recommended for advanced throwers whereas two-handed is suggested for you if you’re a beginner.
