Axe Throwing Tips For Beginners
Got your first axe throwing night coming up on the calendar? Or maybe you’ve thrown before, but the results haven’t been too sharp? Let’s turn your beginner’s curse into some beginner’s luck! Keep scrolling for our favorite axe throwing tips that beginners and vets alike can incorporate into their next game.
The Basics
Let’s start with the classic, technical explanation for an axe throw. There’s only three steps:
- Step 1: With your dominant hand on top, grip the base of the axe handle firmly with both hands. Don’t squeeze.
- Step 2: Making sure the blade of the axe is pointing towards the target, raise the axe over and behind your head, gently rocking back on your dominant foot.
- Step 3: Step forward with your non-dominant foot while bringing your arms forward in a throwing motion. Then, with your arms extended forward, release the axe towards the target keeping your wrists in line with your forearms.
Out of all the directions, these three steps are the foundation that either makes or breaks your throw quality. Your best friend, uncle, or the noisy guy next to you might have tried to show you their way of throwing, but this is the way real professionals throw an axe.
Axe Throwing Tips And Tricks For All Skill Levels
If you follow the steps mentioned above and keep missing the mark, we’ve got some advice to help improve your axe throwing quality.
Tactic Surpasses Strength
With a weighty axe in hand and a thick wood target in front of you, it’s tempting to clench the handle tight and channel your most muscular self, pouring all your strength into the throw.
But you don’t need to be that guy (or gal).
The truth is, the axe doesn’t need strength to stick; the metal head will build up speed as it whips through the air. All that’s needed is a smooth throw. Think about it like a ball on a string, or the Olympic hammer throw: less about muscle, more about momentum.
It’s All In The Flips
Maybe your throw has the right umph and flies smoothly from your hand, but still bounces off backwards or upside down.
To this we say, start thinking about flips.
When you let go the axe will start to flip end over end until it hits something. Keep in mind, you’re aiming for a single flip here. Underflips or overflips end with the top of the axe head, or the bottom of the axe handle, making contact with the target. That’s when your axe fails to make blade contact and bounces off the target dropping to the floor.
If this seems to be the problem, watch your throw carefully to see if you’re under- or overflipping: underflips usually hit the target with the handle pointing away from you (bottom of the handle hitting the target), overflips have handles pointing toward you (top of the axe head hitting the target).
The correction for both of these scenarios is simple – it’s distance. All you need to do is adjust your distance from the target and the moment you let go to adjust your flip speed. If you are underflipping, the axe needs more time to make the full rotation, so take a step back (away from the target). If you are overflipping, the axe needs less time to rotate, so take a step forward (towards the target). The closer to one exact flip, the more chance your axe will stick! A perfect axe throw is when the axe is sticking in the target at a 45 degree angle. Want to see these tips in action? Check out our How to fix your axe throw video and become a pro in no time.
Need Extra Practice?
The best way to learn is by practice! Brush up on your axe throwing skills by learning a few tricks in person during your next reservation at either of our Central Ohio axe throwing lounges. Our staff takes time training you and your crew on the correct, safe way to throw an axe. We’ll also provide you with a few different games to try so you get the full experience! Get answers to basic questions about what to expect, reservations, and more on our FAQ page or ask us directly when you make your reservation online!