Axe throwing is by all accounts a low-pressure thing. Compared to, say, flying a B-17 over Nazi-occupied Europe, axe throwing is small potatoes.
But it is a potato, and that's worth thinking about. Because potatoes are real good.
Despite the low-universal-importance of axe throwing, it'd be a straight up lie to say that the pre-throw jitters don't exist for many of us, and finding ways to deal with the yips is just as important as figuring out the next irreverent sticker to put on your axe.
With that in mind, allow me to present you with a few tried-and-true jitter-mitigation tools.
PRACTICE BEFORE YOU THROW
This is an obvious one, but it's damned effective. Throwing ahead of your league night (or before a tournament) can help shake out some of the wobbles you might be feeling. There is science to back this up of course, but I can't be bothered to look it up. Just trust me. You read it here.
Practicing before you throw for serious-like helps in two ways: one, it gives your brain something else to focus on. Two, it gives your muscles some release, which can make you move a bit more smoothly when it comes time to throw for real points.
ALTERNATELY, DO SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
For some, this might be getting a snack. For others, it might be escaping into a mobile game. Whatever it is, make it not-at-all related to axe throwing. Stop yourself from focusing on the jitters and, instead, get focused on something else. The shift in focus can help calm down your nerves just enough to not suffer from dumb mistakes when it comes to your first match (or all your matches, depending on how deep your nervousness goes).
DEVELOP A ROUTINE
Routines have been used by sportspeople since the invention of sport (citation needed), and that's because it works well. This is the most long-term suggestion of the list, but hear me out: if you consistently get the wonks before you throw, creating a routine can help. A routine might look like this:
Wake up from whatever gutter kept you for the night
Have your standard league-day breakfast of massive vape hits and a PBR from yesterday's dinner
Stretching
Have an energy-packed meal 1-3 hours before throwing (read: 3 Taco Bell burritos)
Arrive early at your axe house to practice
POSITIVE VISUALIZATION
I already wrote about this in a previous post, but visualization hella-works, not just for getting stronger at your throw, but also for getting past nerves. Positive visualization is a great way to get rid of (or at least balance) negative visualization - that is, imagining all the ways you're going to mess up. So if you find you're getting the heeby-jeeebys when thinking about throwing, try to visualize yourself doing well. Even if you don't necessarily believe it. Even if your opponent is staring at you and continually doing that finger-to-throat move.
JUST BREATHE
Anna Nalick was on to something. When you're feeling anxiety, you take smaller breaths. By focusing on your breath - even during a
match - you can cause your nervous system to calm the eff down. Being mindful about your breaths and reminding yourself that you're not skin diving can make a huge difference.
So if you're having the jitter-bugs, I hope you'll try out one or two of these suggestions. And hell, I hope they work at least a little.
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