The impulse to maintain consistency is a very human trait. It's an ancient, lizard-brain survival tactic that typically doesn't let us down, as a species. And that's good. Because I like existing and appreciate all of the little, hairy people who made it far enough to procreate in my family line.
But there is also an impulse to, you know, stay absolutely consistent. And if you've read my blog for any amount of time, you might be thinking to yourself: "Why do I keep reading this idiot's ramblings? I have so many better things to do. Lint traps to clean and paint to watch dry." But you may also be thinking: "But he says muscle memory and consistency is important!? Is he doing one of those click baits on me? Why did I think click baits? Am I 76 years old now?"
And reader, let me explain myself.
Consistency is important in a sport where the target stays put. You figure out how to hit your bulls and your clutches, and you lock that shit in. It makes sense. And I guess this advice isn't for people who are just knocking down 81s every match and, I dunno, wear sunglasses while they do it.
The real cool kids can ignore this whole post. Go back to leaning against cars and getting out of detention.
But for the rest of us: it's tempting to figure out how to do something reasonably well and then lock that in as your "best". But it might not be your "best." You might be able to get so much better if you just experiment a bit more, every time you throw, to see if you can achieve an even better "best."
For a comparatively long time, I thought I wanted the lightest axe possible. I was worried about fatigue paired with palsy getting me, so a light axe made sense. And I finally got a perfect, light, wonderful axe to throw with. And I did alright. I threw a bit better and started finishing in the top 3-4 of my league.
But then my axe was made illegal by the IATF changing rules, and I started throwing with a heavier axe (a Plumb National Victory I think), and I did very well with that, too. Better, in fact, because the weight of the axe dug into the boards a bit better for me.
I also used to throw two handed, now I throw one handed. I used to bear grip the axe handle to throw, now I kinda hold it like a dart. Had I stopped learning and experimenting at any point during my little dalliance with axe throwing, I know for a fact I wouldn't be as good a thrower as I am now ("good" is also a relative term. I'm fully aware that I'm middling at best).
What I'm trying to get at is this: don't be afraid to try something new. There is always room in your axe throwing career to try out something different to see how it suits you. Sometimes--maybe even oftentimes, it won't be a good fit. But it's also possible to find something that just opens up your throwing to new heights.
Whatever you do, don't think that you've gone as far as you are gonna go with your throw style. You haven't. Take a risk on a new style of throwing or a new axe--even if it's just because you wanna see how different it is from your own. Taking those little adventures into the unknown can lead to a new benchmark for your own abilities. So, why not try?
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