Axe throwing or hatchet throwing has become an increasingly popular activity with clubs and organizations popping up globally to represent and promote the sport with tournament play and competitive leagues widely available.
The first commercial axe throwing venue opened in Toronto, Canada in 2011 with over 160 cities around world now offering axe throwing clubs. Axe throwing has its roots in Canadian lumberjack competitions and can be a fun and safe way to let off some steam in a unique way. Think of it like darts supersized.
Let’s take a closer look at axe throwing for fun and how you can take part.
Axe throwing quick fact sheet
Here is a quick overview of axe throwing in terms of the equipment typically used and what you can expect when you visit a quality axe throwing club or venue.
Axe throwing equipment
The concept of axe throwing is relatively simple: Throw your axe at a wooden target and attempt to score more points than your opponents. Axe targets are similar to a dart board but the scoring is different as we’ll learn more about below.
Here are specifics regarding axe throwing equipment.
- An axe has a steel blade and wooden handle and is typically certified by a group such as the World Axe Throwing League (WATL) or similar governing body to ensure conformity and minimum standards.
- The target you throw the axe at is made of a quality type of wood that has been sprayed with water beforehand to enable the axe to stick to it.
- Boards are replaced when they have been suitably damaged by axes and have large grooves that no longer hold axes in place when thrown or simply look like they need replacement.
Game play
A game of axe throwing consists of 10 throws for each participant per match with 5 throws taking place on each side of the axe throwing space you’re playing in.
Participants are usually allowed 5 warm up throws of their axe before their first game and 1 warm up throw between other games.
The winner of the match is the player who scores the most points although many game variations exist for fun and in tournament play.
A tie is settled with sudden death play until a winner is determined.
Axe throwing distance
An axe target board is typically hung on a wall 12′ – 14′ away from where the axe throwers stand. Throwers stand behind a white line in a 3′ box.
You’re typically going to be throwing your axe from the 12′ line if you’re considered a shorter player and will play from the 14′ line if you’re a taller player. You can choose which line to play from if your height is somewhat in between.
The range of motion is greater for tall players so a taller person will want to stand farther back from the target to achieve the greatest probability of hitting the target with their axe to ensure it sticks. Your axe has a greater chance of sticking to the target if it make one complete rotation after being thrown.
Axe throwing stance
Axe throwers stand in a box that measures 3′ wide. The rules state a thrower has to have their lead (front) foot in the box at all times but their back foot can be inside or outside the box.
Your lead foot can touch the front line but cannot go over it. If your foot goes over the line at any point during the throw, you score 0 points for that throw.
Axe throwing techniques and tips
There are two ways to throw an axe:
- Use one hand to hold the axe over or behind your head. If you feel more comfortable throwing with one hand, you use your dominant throwing hand to do so but you do need to account for the fact that you are holding the axe closer to the left side of your body if left handed and to the right if right handed.
- Use both hands to hold the axe over or behind your head. Using both hands gripping the axe over or behind your head may give you the feel of more stability. Plus you’re able to hold the axe directly over your head in front of the target board rather than holding it on one side of your body using one hand.
Basic scoring
An axe must stick and remain in the target for it to count otherwise you score 0 points for that throw if it falls out.
Specific scoring depends on the game you’re playing but in general terms you score:
- 6 points for the bulls-eye
- 4 points for the blue ring
- 3 points for the red ring
- 2 points for the green ring
- 1 point for the black ring
Some clubs may simply use a target with scoring numbers painted on each ring rather than colored rings.
Kill shot
An ax board has two blue circles painted on them, one at the top of each side of the target. This area is known as the kill shot and is used only on the 10th and final axe throw of the match and are used only in the event of a tie breaker.
Two players who are tied throw their axe at the same time and the closest to a blue circle earns 10 points to win the game.
How dangerous is axe throwing?
When taken seriously, axe throwing is both a safe and fun activity that many people can take part in. While the concept of throwing an axe seems dangerous, axe throwing clubs are set up in private lanes with partitions between each to keep the activity contained in your area.
In the era of COVID-19, you’ll find that axe throwing venues are taking precautions to sterilize equipment and enforce social distancing. This often takes the form of only allowing minimum sized groups that know one another to limit crowd sizes as well as keeping individual parties separate from one another.
What to wear to when axe throwing
Before visiting an axe throwing venue, check ahead of time for rules and regulations. In general terms, you should wear loose comfortable fitting clothes and closed shoes.
Axe throwing venues tend to be located in large open industrial buildings or warehouses which may get cold in the winter months so it’s best to dress for the season in layers to be safe.
Expect to sign a waiver for yourself and any minors who are taking part with you.
How old do I have to be to take part in axe throwing?
Age requirements vary greatly by country. In the US and Canada, you’ll often find that locations will allow underage children to take part as long as they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. In Chicago however, the minimum age is 18 years of age.
In the UK, the minimum age is 8 years old.
Axe throwing is generally allowed for those 14 years of age or older but check with your local venue to be safe as some clubs have limits as high as 18 – 21 years of age depending on local laws and regulations.
What types of axe throwing games and events exist?
While we can discuss axe throwing as an activity that 1 or more participants can take part in either for fun, in tournaments, parties and corporate events, there are a few other ways to classify the games that exist:
- Walk-in events where you just show up and play on demand.
- Group events often from 6 – 24 people ie. parties, team building, bachelor/bachelorette parties.
- League play
- Round robin tournaments
There are also plenty of mini axe throwing games you can play with different rule and goal variations to keep you busy depending on your interests and how many people are taking part:
Countdown: Two teams start with 100 points and attempt to get to 0 before their opponent by scoring as quickly as possible.
Rings: Hit each scoring ring in a specific order (ie. start with the outer ring and work your way in or vice versa)
HORSE: Just like the basketball game but with an axe.
Landmines: Similar to Countdown except that specific numbers are set as a landmine. If you land on a landmine your lose points if you’re trying to hit a certain target number like 100.
Around the world: Each team must hit every number on the board from low to high in order and then again back down. So you have to score 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1 to win the game.
Is axe throwing a good date idea?
Axe throwing can be a great date idea due to the fact that it’s a fun activity that is both competitive and unique for most participants. It’s an activity that does involve skill but not necessarily athleticism and even if you’re not into the competitive aspect of it, can still be fun. In that regard, a wide variety of people can enjoy taking part.
Axe throwing doesn’t require strength or size either. I’ve seen pictures of children and elderly people taking part and people in wheelchairs, too. It really does attract a wide variety of participants.
Consider axe throwing a major upgrade from darts. While you’re probably not likely to take a first date to a darts bar and expect a positive reaction, a trip to an axe throwing facility presents a unique experience for a couple or larger groups for that matter.
How much does axe throwing cost?
A single visit to an axe throwing club generally costs $40 – $50. You can also find pricing by time for around $25/hour. Costs typically include all necessary materials and equipment including the axes for you to throw. You will also get a private dedicated lane for you and your party as well as basic instructions on how to take part in axe throwing.
Some venues offer a private coach who will stay with you during your visit and help you learn how to throw in more detail. Typically you’ll need a certain minimum number of people to take part and it will increase the cost.
The cost of an axe throwing session depends on whether you choose a walk-in, corporate event, private event or league event so it’s best to check with your chosen venue as prices and rules vary.
Check with your chosen venue to see if you can bring your own axe. Some venues allow you to bring an axe approved by the World Axe Throwing League or other body which we’ll discuss in more detail below.
How far in advance should I book an axe throwing session?
Given the increased popularity and the fact that a typical stay is 2 – 2.5 hours in length, many axe throwing locations will suggest booking well in advance, up to 4 – 6 weeks prior to a weekend booking and 1 – 3 weeks in advance for a weekday.
Some locations are more popular than others and some may still offer walk-in bookings on a first come first served basis.
Tournament axe throwing
Axe throwing has become a global sport promoted by several established organizations. Two of the more prominent ones are the International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) and the World Axe Throwing League (WATL).
While each league promotes axe throwing they have some differences as shown in the table below.
| International Ax Throwing Federation | World Axe Throwing League | |
| Inception | 2016 | 2017 |
| Rules | Rules and guidelines | Rules and guidelines |
| Brands | None | Bad Axe Throwing (locations across Canada and the US) |
| Stats | Represented on 4 continents in over 125 cities in 6 countries. | Currently has 334 affiliates globally, in over 28 countries with over 310 locations. |
| Tournaments | Regional tournaments around the world culminating in the crowing of the IATC champion (Wilson Cup Champion) as well as Winter Skills, Doubles Champions, Around The World Champion, Time Trials and Ambidextrous titles. | Regional tournaments throughout Canada and the US and global tournaments culminating in the crowing of world champions in various disciplines including Big Axe Champion, Dual Champion and Hatchet Champion. |
| Affiliates | None | World Knife Throwing League |
How to throw an axe for beginners
Axe versus hatchet throwing
What’s the difference between an axe and a hatchet? An axe is meant to be used for chopping wood with two hands and as such is bigger with a longer handle than a hatchet which is also meant for chopping wood but with one hand.
You can find axe and hatchet throwing at many axe throwing establishments although the term “axe throwing” is generally used as a catch all phrase even though technically the two tools are different.
In fact the WATL also crowns a Hatchet Champion as part of their yearly world championship tournament.
Summary
Axe throwing is a relatively new but growing phenomenon that got its start in Canadian lumberjack competitions and then began as a commercial establishment in Toronto, Canada in 2011. Since then the sport has grown throughout the world with two major governing bodies organizing tournaments and affiliated commercial axe throwing venues throughout the world.
To learn more about tournament axe throwing rules, check out the International Axe Throwing Federation and World Axe Throwing League websites.