The 12 best axe throwing tips I’ve ever heard: a list

Every thrower, from the eager first-timer to the grizzled, scarred (emotionally) veteran is a composite of every piece of advice they’ve received. We are the result of every helpful tip, every nonsensical piece of advice and every bullshit hot take; internalized and compiled into whatever-the-hell we are today. And now, dear throwkin, I’m going to attempt to write down the 12 best axe throwing tips I’ve ever heard.

You see, I recently delved into my brain to ask: “self, what have you internalized about this sport?” Amazingly, my completely addled mind was able to recall quite a few. And in an effort to actually provide value to my readership, I’m gonna share them here.

But first a BIG caveat just to get ahead of the “well, actuallyyyyyy” crowd: I know these aren’t for everyone. And there are always exceptions. But, for me, each one of these little gems had a big impact on the way I throw, and how I’ve advanced in my ability to not be absolutely bad.

Best Axe Throwing Tip 1: Less movement = more accuracy

Every time you move your sweet, sweet body, you’re introducing another possible point of inconsistency. And while you may be a wonder to behold while throwing, all of that extra movement creates irregularity in where your axe lands. Figure out how to hit your mark, then figure out of how minimize the amount of movement needed to get that same result.

You’ll save energy, you’ll remove variables, and you’ll be able to identify (more quickly at least) elements of your throw that are off if you’re missing your mark.

Best axe throwing tip 2: balance power with technique with flexibility

Newer throwers (and, hell, even some experienced ones) tend to really put all their power behind their throw. For one thing, it feels good to do. For another, they don’t trust their axes enough to actually bite into the boards.

But power is the enemy of technique. And technique is the ally of accuracy. And, like, the kissing cousin of flexibility.

You don’t wanna have an ultra-light throw, of course, as there are variables in targets (and your own body), so you want at least a little bit of power in there, but it should work in concert with your technique.

Oh – and about the flexibility thing: your body is gonna change on any given day. Sometimes, multiple times in the same day (depending on your energy levels, how muscles get worn down or tight during a marathon or a tourney, whatever). It’s really important to recognize when your tried-and-true methods aren’t working, and adjust for that. Sometimes my left ankle swells up due to an old break. And when that happens, I need to adjust my throw. Sometimes my CP makes my hands go all wonky; I need to adjust for that, too. Human bodies are goofy little things, and we gotta meet them where they are at any given point.

Best axe throwing tip 3: Speed is fine. accuracy is final.

That’s a quote from Wyatt Earp!

I used to be a really fast thrower. Then I learned to stop matching the speed of my opponents (or thinking that if I just threw really fast (so I couldn’t think about what I was doing), I’d do better). When I decided I’d go at the speed I felt most comfortable, I started landing more bulls and more clutches. There isn’t a countdown clock in this sport, so don’t act like there is.

Best axe throwing tip 4: Create lockpoints/routines

This is kinda a summation of the three above, but: have…I dunno what you’d call ’em…checkpoints? Lemme give you an example of mine:

1. Twist lead foot into position.

2. Bring axe to throw position.

3. Create the triangle (bottom of axe forward, top of axe to my clavicle (creating a sort of triangle).

4. Step.

5. Complete step.

6. Throw.

Now, I don’t necessarily verbalize all of those steps to myself with each throw, but I’m aware of each step during my throw. It helps make sure I don’t donk myself by forgetting key elements. Those checkpoints keep me consistent, and consistency is the name of the game. Speaking of:

Best Axe throwing tip 5: keep everything consistent (except your foot placement)

Consistency is so important, and pending some physical/mental/emotional reason to do otherwise, you should try to keep your throw as consistent as possible.

Except.

EXCEPT.

Foot placement.

Your starting distance from the target has, I’ve found, the biggest impact on your throw (once you have a throw). And it’s also the first thing you can adjust when your throw isn’t landing the way you want it to.

My recommendation: note where your leading foot is (in relation to the black line) with each throw, and note how your axe is landing. It’s an easy way to fine-tune what you’re doing in each match. Plus, honestly, it can stop you from zoning out during a match and stay mentally active/focused.

Best Axe throwing tip 6: Only change one thing at a time

I picked this up from…PK? But HE picked it up from Rander: only change one thing at a time. Seems obvious of course, but how often do we buy a new axe and use that moment to also update our throw? Or update our hand position AND where we’re standing AND how hard we’re throwing?

Instead, have some ding dang patience. If you want to change up your throw, that’s fine, but do it step by step. Want to start closer to the target? Swell, but don’t do that AND change where you’re holding your axe handle.

Adding variables without knowing the impact of those variables is a quick way to frustrate yourself. By changing only one thing at a time (and throwing, like, 10 times in a row), you can more quickly figure out the impact of that change, and build/adjust/revert more easily.

Best Axe throwing tip 7: Keep your eyes locked on where you’re throwing

I feel like this one might be hella obvious, but I didn’t really consciously start doing this until earlier this year, somehow. Like, I’d look at the clutch and say to myself “axe goes there, now”, but I’d let my throw kinda decide where my eyes went.

When I’m going for clutch, I look right at it, and I keep looking right at it during my entire throw. I don’t blink, I don’t look at any other part of the target. I’m like a chicken getting moved around by someone but refusing to take my eyes off of a worm or whatever.

Doing this makes you so much more accurate. It feels weird to do at first, but if you’re not intentionally doing it now, it makes a world of difference.

Best Axe throwing tip 8: Don’t over-extend your body

There’s a lot of stretching out in this sport. Lots of Arabesque finishing stances (yes, I did have to look up the ballet term). And I’m very guilty of this, too, when I’m not thinking about my throw. But really stretching out your body when throwing leads to potential variances/extra energy use/inaccuracy.

If you’re all stretched out by the end of your throw, you’re not on the same height level as when you started – meaning any visual alignment you had with the target has shifted. Try to keep your body as close to the same relative height at the end of your throw as you had at the beginning.

Best Axe throwing tip 9: aaloto 3 tip special

It’s just all good. Seems so basic, but when I’ve reminded myself of these three when I’m worn down, it helps. It helps real good.

Best Axe throwing tip 10: Set personal goals, with a few that can’t be quantified

Stat goals are stat goals: hit a 75 average season, get my 200th 81, blah blah blah. Those goals are important, and they give throwers something to achieve/strive for.

But you should also have lesser-known goals: don’t get a 3 this league night. Hit over 50% of my clutches as this tourney. Things like that. It adds something to axe throwing, I think, and makes it so even if you don’t win the whole thing (or finish podium, or finish in the top 8 or whatever), you still have other successes to knock out.

To that point, having goals that can’t be easily quantified is hella valuable, too. At least, I’ve found it to be valuable. Goals like: learn how this thrower I look up to throws their big axe. Or: not lose my hatchet between every ding dang match.

Non-statistic goals can help you break free from seeing every achievement as something that must be data-focused. Getting lost in those numbers can really drag down your enjoyment in axe throwing, friend-o.

Best Axe throwing tip 11: Sit more than you think you need, drink water. Eat food.

It’s so important. Throwkin. Dear reader.

Your body is made up of a body. And you gotta feed/rest/water that body. Have a body buddy who reminds you during the marathon day/tourney weekend to do human-necessity things.

And for the love of gub, you don’t have stand for a whole day. You’re allowed to sit down. Sit down sometimes. Sheesh.

Best Axe throwing tip 12: Remember why you’re doing it

Sometimes I get real fed up with this whole sport. I get fed up with myself trying it, with my failures in it, and with the stress of trying to do better. I think a lot of us know that feeling.

So, at least a few times at any axe throwing event I go to, I try to have a private moment where I ask myself: “self, why are you here?”

And, typically – TYPICALLY – the answer to that is “I’m here to have fun and see fun/nice people.”

The answer (almost always) isn’t “I’m doing this for a paycheck” or “I’m doing this to win the whole thing” or “I’m doing this to get pissy with myself.”

So if I’m doing something for fun, I should try to have…fun. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Don’t get me wrong: I want to do well. I enjoy the struggle of getting better and winning every once and a while – but even that is supposed to be fun. There are cheaper ways to get disappointed in myself, right?

If you find yourself getting real serious/real cagey, just remember why you’re throwing axes in the first place. Try to stay true to whatever answer you decide on.