Hitting a plateu or hoping to level up your axe throwing? Well hell, friend, who isn't? Here are a few ways I've helped boost my axe throwing accuracy and consistency.
I don't know if it's just my axe house or if it's something that's endemic in the axe throwing community, but it seems like folks in this sport don't really have good habits when it comes to consistency and practice. Which is like...I get it. Really, I do. This is a bunch of goofs, goofing around, for the most part. But there's something to be said for actually trying to expand one's abilities and achievement in axe throwing. Even if it is just throwing hunks of metal at wood.
With that in mind. I looked within myself. Real deep. to fashion up what, I believe, are three very good, not at all bad ways to improve everyone's axe throwing (yes, even you little Timmy) through three axe throwing tips.
AXE THROWING TIP 1: FILM YOURSELF THROWING
Why do we even say "film" anymore. I mean record yourself.
Setting up your phone to record you (or getting someone else to record your throw) is a good way of seeing what you can't percieve when you're, yahknow, existing inside your own body. It's very typical to have an idea/image of how you're throwing, and having that perception being not quite accurate to what you're actually doing.
Glad you asked, you eldrich horror of a clutch!
Recording yourself can reveal unconcious "mistakes" you're making during your throw. Maybe you have a little stutter step, or your elbow is shooting way out so your throw isn't landing straight. The challenge, here, is knowing what in your throwing order-of-operations is holding you back, so you may need another axe thrower (preferably someone who knows what the hell they are talking about) to point out elements you should tighten up a bit.
I'd also recommend that you have a clear idea of what is constructive to notice and change. For instance, noticing that you look like a goose trying to dance is not constructive. Noticing that your axe is completely horizontal just before you throw is constructive.
Lots of athletes do this in other sports, so it shouldn't come as a shock to anyone reading this that I'm suggesting it. What should suprise you is that I'm considering anyone who throws axes as an athlete, too.
AXE THROWING TIP 2: LEARN FROM PEOPLE WHO THROW AXES THE WAY YOU WANNA
Maybe a hot take, here - but if another axe thrower's technique is one you yourself admire, why don't you go ahead and try to learn from them? It's likely they worked on that technique/didn't start throwing the way they do since day one - so ask for tips or for training.
One of the things we've got in this sport is a heavy, thriving nerdom. Specifically, axe-throwing nerdom. I'll go out on a limb and say that almost all axe throwers are happy to nerd-out in discussions about throwing technique and mentorship. This method will take time, of course, if you do it right - but it may also be the most beneficial. Add it to my first suggestion (filming yourself throwing) and it can become an ultra-powerful way to significantly change how you're throwing now. For the better, I mean.
Now, I can hear someone out there saying:
and you'd be right. You are a special, wonderful person and I'm glad that you bring your own thing to axe throwing.
But -
While you're axe throw, and your technique, and your path to becoming the very best axe thrower you can be are unique - there are certain...I dunno...I don't wanna say "standards" necessarily...maybe skillets? There are certain things that make for a good axe throw. And if another thrower has a throw that you admire (and, you know, goes where the thrower intends), chances are that they have unlocked/understand some of those things that make for a consistent and accurate throwing technique. And while Axe Thrower A has a different throw from Axe Thrower Z, both are likely hitting some of the same, necessary elements to make their throwing something to be admired.
Unless you're Sex Metal Barbie - who's throw is something that I've only seen from her, is amazing, and works because I think she's intimidated her axe to a point that it doesn't want to get on her bad side.
What's cool about this tip is how flexible it is: once you have a mentor that you've learned from, you can go and grab yourself another one! Hell, you can have as many mentors as you want - it's like a ding-dang Golden Corral out here - fill your plate as many times as you want! If learning from someone else isn't working (their technique doesn't suit you, or you feel like you've learned everything you're gonna learn from them for now, or whatever else), you can learn from someone else. In fact, I'd recommend that you make it a point to learn from as many people as you can. The more the merrier.
I'm not saying you should have five people giving you pointers at the same time. Obviously all that feedback and guidance will become hella confusing. What I'm suggesting is that you should'nt feel precious about learning from someone in the sport. Learn what you can learn, and then go learn more. Education is power.
AXE THROWING TIP 3: ACTUALLY, UH, PRACTICE.
I'm not trying to be condesending with this one, despite that subheader. Practicing is something different than meeting up with a few throwing buddies, drinking, and throwing axes. Practicing is a focused, purposeful effort to grow your abilities.
What does that mean? Well, friend-o, I'll tell you. It means you work on what you're good at and what you're "bad" at. It means focusing on how you're throwing, expanding on what's working well, and mitigating what results in less-than-desired outcomes. If you're not strong with your clutches, make it a point to spend some time each week working on clutches, specifically. Want to lock in a throw? Practice that for as long as you can actually be aware of what you're doing. Big axe blues? You guessed it. Practice, babyyyyyyyyyyy.
Practicing means cutting out time to work on your skill. It's not a warm up just before a league night and it's not a once-a-month dalliance. If you can do it, practicing with good techniques does the most for your axe-throwing game. So, you know, give that a try, too.
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