turn your axe throwing game from barely there to barbarian best with these hot tips!

Keen to sharpen your axe throwing skills but not sure where to start? Here’s a list of basic pointers to help you slice through the pine like a skilled viking warrior!

Back to basics: Check your technique

1. Start with your feet on the black line, take a step forward with your non-dominant foot
2. As you step forward raise the axe straight up above your head, pointing the head of the axe straight up as you do so.
3. Lean forward, bringing your chest over your front foot as you lift up your back foot. With your arm/s still fully out stretched and point at where you want the axe to land.
4. When the axe is pointing at your target, just release!

While all of this sounds and looks simple, if you don’t have the fundamentals in place you won’t be able to progress. ​

you’ve got the movement sorted, it’s time to check the landing

​If your axe isn’t sticking to the board, take time to assess why. After throwing  your axe, watch it as it hits the board, if it hits the handle and falls, check out note 2. If the axe is hitting with the top of the head, read note 3. If you can’t see how the axe is landing it’s probably because you’re throwing too hard! Remember axe throwing is about technique, not strength so ease up a bit!

1. If your axe lands on the board with a rough 45° angle then you’re doing great! Keep up the good work!
2. If your axe landed and the handle is parallel to the board or touching the board you’re under rotating. This means you haven’t given the axe enough time to complete its rotation. To fix this, go back to the black line and move an extra 6cm back. Repeat until the axe lands at a rough 45° angle.
3. If your axe landed and the handle is perpendicular to the board you’re over rotating.This means the axe has had too much time to complete its rotation. To fix this, go back to the black line and move 6cm forward. Repeat until the axe lands at a rough 45° angle.
4. If the axe isn’t making it to the board it might be because you’re overthinking the technique or don’t believe you have enough power. EVERYONE has enough strength to throw an axe! To help power up, take an extra step back from the black line and try the “1, 2, THROW!” Instead of stepping forward with your non-dominant foot, step with your dominant foot followed by your non-dominant and throw. Focusing on the two steps will give you the extra power needed to stick that axe!
5. If your axe is always veering left or right of your intended target, focus on keeping your arm straight. Or adjust your starting position to account for it. E.g. if you’re always hitting the left 3 zone move your starting position further to right to account for that.

Mixing it up- experiment to find your style!

Now your axe is landing consistently, you can start tweaking your style. Just like with a science experiment try to only change one variable at a time so you can accurately see whether that variable is improving your accuracy.

Some variables you may want to test:

• Change axes: Everyone has a spirit axe, some axes are a perfect fit for others but not for you. 

 

• Try a different grip: Some people are naturally gifted and can throw easily with one or two hands, try both, find your preferred method and then change it slightly. 

One Hand Variations:

• Move your hand further up the axe handle or further down, you might find it more comfortable and successful than the standard grip.
• Thumb up - If you’re always over rotating, placing your thumb up the back of the handle of the axe is an easy way to slow   your axes rotation.
• The OK grip - Hold the axe with your thumb and pointer finger and very loosely grasp the rest of the axe with your remaining fingers. This grip allows you to get a little extra flick in your throw.

Two Hand Variation:

• The “snail” grip - If you’re constantly over rotating the snail grip is another way to slow down your throw. With your dominant hand wrapped around the base of the handle, interlock your other hand and fingers around the axe with both thumbs pointing upwards. This creates a little snail shell (interlocked fingers) and snail stalks and eyes (your thumbs and thumbnails). 


• Power: Most professionals throw with a very light throw. It can be helpful to test how throwing lighter/harder affects your throw. You might find the change in power makes you more accurate.


• No step: If you’re comfortable with your throw and want to attempt a no step throw, start with your toes where you would normally finish your throw. Follow the instructions above based on whether the axe under or over rotates until you get it landing at the rough 45° angle. This is a difficult technique to master and will be affected by every small movement you make. So prepare for a lot of drops as you figure out your personal no step throw.

Final tips:

• If you’re overthinking try throwing, collecting the axe and then throwing as quickly as possible. The more you can drill your personal technique in without hyper analysing every movement the more fluid and comfortable you’ll become.
• If your throws are inconsistent make sure to freeze your body after releasing the axe. Look at your arm, wrist, where are your feet and are you leaning enough?
• Have fun: You’re throwing an axe at a target and it feels hella good! Don’t get caught up in others' scores. Axe throwing is about challenging yourself.

Finally, practice makes perfect, our Sunday Axe Addicts sessions are a great place to practice and learn from other throwers. Our axe-perts are always here to help and you can always check out our "How to Throw an Axe" playlist on Youtube!

Brittany Austin

Brittany is our Head Axe-pert in Auckland, her passion for axe throwing coupled with a background as an elementary school teacher make her a fantastic axe throwing coach!