Know it All: Here is your Ultimate Guide on How to ace at Axe Throwing!
If one is hearing axe throwing for the first time, it may not seem like it would be a safe game to play for fun and recreational activities.
Throwing a sharp and powerful axe at a target may seem risky to some. But for those who enjoy this sport spends a lot of time and effort in polishing and enhancing their skills.
You must have been throwing axe for quite a long time now, so what’s next? Time to take your axe throwing skills to the next level.
By implementing the techniques, we share with you in this blog; you will learn to throw the perfect shot.
First of all, let’s be clear that we are trying to do in any axe throwing is get the axe to rotate one full round in a way that the blade sticks to the aim at a 45-degree angle. We are not talking about any extravagant or high-speed shots. Let’s know more…
How to Get Better at Axe Throwing?
Whenever during your practice, if you miss a target, there is always a solid reason for it. But the bigger problem here is that if you do not know why you missed your target, you will probably never correct the error to overcome it.
This guide is your starting point to correct all your errors and be a perfect axe thrower. Altering your throw and attaining higher precision may not feel natural to begin. Ultimately, it should seem as ordinary as the old way!
The Grip on your Axe:
An inconsistent grip is one of the primary reasons for incorrect release point and missed target. It leads to large error margins, especially vertically. It also makes it very difficult to control spin speed, wobble, and tilt left to right.
Top throwers mostly use a lighter grip towards the mid to end of the palm. For fast throwers, a strong grip is generally inevitable.
If you are having a problem with vertical inaccuracy in your throw, and you are holding the axe like a hammer, we have some probable reasons.
- A light grip that almost releases itself is more idyllic and more lenient for slight errors.
- A sturdier, full hand wraparound holds can be highly influenced by the release point.
- The release point becomes more reliant on the power of the throw, the moistness of your hands, and the mindful release of your hand rather than releasing by feel.
Select your Axe, Handle Length and Shape carefully:
If you are open to challenge, only then should you use axe with a different length and shape.
If you are looking for an axe that is easier to grip, go for a thin handle with flat edges or a round handle with somewhat flattened edges on the sides. It also reduces the chances of an accidentally rotated grip.
Whereas a heavier axe will have more inertia to sink deeper. Any axe within the weight limits will stick consistently.
With time and practice, you will also observe that it is convenient to use a lighter axe for a longer duration. For one-handed throws, choose a more lightweight axe as practice being critical to refining accuracy.
Solid Stance:
Your footing should be very solid, balanced, and stable, no matter whether you plant during the entire throw or positioning to step forward. You will reduce your throw margin if you move your entire body, i.e., hand, arm, feet, head, and axe, directly towards the center of your target during the throw.
You must know your starting distance. In an ideal throw, your release will be with your feet as near to the 12-foot line as probable. For maximum coverage, an axe hitting the board with a flat blade is considered as the best.
The obvious advantage is working to have a final position exactly at the 12-foot line. If you are 12 feet away rather than 13 feet, there is an 8.3% bigger angle for your throw trajectory to result in a bullseye.
Relax your Shoulders and Arms in your throw setup
In case your shoulder has a specific tension for your throw setup, it will require exact same pressure for your every throw in order to have consistency and precision. An effective technique is to relax your shoulder before every throw. It is quite easy to tense up your shoulder unconsciously before you start your throw.
Broadening your elbow can also skew your throw, making a precise throw tougher and possibly hitting the target at an angle that may result in a drop.
Pick a Small Point on the Desired Target:
Do not look away from the target. In a backswing motion, move directly away from the target point and directly towards it through the throwing motion.
During your every throw, you should consciously and actively think about it. For additional help, one can draw a small dot while practicing. Most of the range targets have a center dot where the stencil was fixed.
Be Aware of Throwing your Axe too Hard:
Having a hard throw might be accurate to some point, but it can be extremely difficult to progress to greater precision. The deeper the axe sticks into the board, the lesser the surface area on the side available for scoring becomes.
The key to a higher score could be theorized in a harder throw that results in fewer drops. One can even progress to a higher average by throwing axe from light to medium strength and refine the throw.
Take a Deep Breath Before Every Throw:
From person to person, the status of their breath varies. But it is always beneficial to take a deep breath before every throw. It will help you establish the same breathing for every throw.
Keep your Axe Sharp:
Many people use diverse stones, sanders, or hand-held knife-edge sharpeners. Even though this will serve for an edge, shining compounds, moving up to tremendously high grit polishing bits, and enhancing will result in an edge that can shave. You can either find out what axe works best for you or get proper training from the professionals for choosing the right axe.
Having a sharp axe can result in a more reliable stick in the target for practically all different types of a throw. This can be achieved in many ways with different kinds of tools.
Consistency:
Even after all these techniques, the most important one is consistency.
For example, if for each throw you do not grip the same way, you are missing the bullseye;it can mask other aspects that are also tossing you off. Even if your grip is not perfect, but by paying attention and having the same grip each time, you can improve your game.
Consistency will also allow you to experiment with single parts of your throw in order to discover a more precise method. The difference between hitting bullseyes and endless frustration is the position of just a single finger. Even a small change can produce drastically accurate results.
Write down or record all the changes and their results so that you can observe and analyze for choosing the most suitable technique and strategy.
And that’s all!
Bottom Line!
Whether you are indulging in axe throwing for fun or participating in tournaments, it is very necessary to improve and enhance your skills over time.
Having shakiness, butterflies, or a racing heart while you are walking for your first throw is surely going to affect your performance. With these techniques and tips, you can level up your axe throwing game.
Axe throwing is a fantastic sport. From corporate, team building to small groups of family and friends, it is perfectly suitable!
What are you waiting for? Go throw some axes!
Axe Whooping is the largest axe throwing facility in Colorado. Our professionals make your axe throwing experience safe and memorable. We follow all the safety norms very strictly and are very uptight about it because we care for your lives. Contact us today. You can even book online on our website.