From how to grip the axe to how far away to stand from your target, we’re covering how to throw an axe like a pro so you can be declared the winner the next time you come play a round at Mazewood Axe Throwing! Knowing how to properly throw an axe is just as important as knowing the rules of the game, let’s start with how to grip the axe.
How to Grip the Axe
Knowing how to throw an axe starts with knowing how to grip the axe. The goal is to maintain a firm grip on the handle, think about how you’d hold onto a baseball bat. In addition, make sure that the blade is facing completely forward, you don’t want any rotation to the left or right. The axe needs to be perfectly straight so that when it is released it is on a straight trajectory toward your target.
How to Release the Axe
Before releasing the axe, bring it back over your head, think about how you’d throw a soccer ball over your head, and lean back to gain some momentum going into the throw.
Next, bring the axe forward in a quick motion. When your arms are fully extended forward, that’s when you want to release the axe. Focus on doing this in one sweeping motion for the best results.
More advanced axe throwers may use a slightly different technique to throw an axe:
Step 1 – picture your target and step forward with your leading foot. Swing your arm that is holding the axe down at your side.
Step 2 – As the axe passes your leg, quickly swing it back up so that it is over your head and then throw it forward as you would a ball.
Step 3 – When your arm is extended in front of you and parallel to the ground, let go of the axe. Make sure your arm follows through on the release for best results.
Standing at the Right Distance for Your Height
It’s important to stand at the right distance from the target, and the ideal distance differs person to person.
There are two different lines set up in front of the target – one that is around 12 feet from the target and another that is around 14 feet from the target. Taller players stand at the farthest line back, while shorter players are instructed to stand at the closer of the two lines. If you fall in between short and tall, you can stand somewhere in between the two lines. It might sound like this gives short people an advantage, but trust us, it does not.
Tall people need the extra space if they want their axe to stick. Here’s why: There’s an average range of motion generated when you throw an axe, this is known as the rotation. The rotation is actually larger for taller players, which means the axe will make it to the target in fewer rotations. A shorter player, on the other hand, is going to have a smaller rotation and so their axe will make more rotations when traveling across the same distance.
If you want the best possible chance of your axe sticking (and staying stuck) to the board, which is important if you want to earn any points, you want your axe to rotate at least one full time. By standing at the right distance according to your height, you can help ensure that your axe rotates a proper number of times to stick to the board and score you some points. This is where some practice rounds really come in handy. Practicing will help you to determine the best place to stand for optimal results based on your height.
It’s not only your height, the axe you use will determine how far back you should stand from the target to get in a full rotation.
How to Stand When Throwing an Axe
Your throwing stance is incredibly important to how accurate your aim will be. Participants take turns throwing an axe from a box that measures three feet wide. Make sure your lead foot is in the boxed area at all times when you are throwing the axe. Your back foot may be outside of the box, or just behind it. Your front foot is permitted to touch the front line while you throw but it is not allowed to move over the front line. If your foot does venture over the line, it doesn’t matter how good your throw, it’ll earn you zero points.
If your foot moves over the line after the axe leaves your hand, the points are still counted, your foot just cannot leave the box during the throw.
Ready to Play? Come visit Mazewood Axe Throwing in Niagara Falls!