Every newbie needs basic knowledge before starting anything whether it is business or sports.
Before starting to throw an axe, Newbie has to take basic as well as most accurate knowledge to take part in any activity
Table of contents
Are you want to learn some basic rules that are normally using in axe throwing competitions?
Then you are at the right place. We put together a list of the accurate terms for what you will come across when you enter an axe-throwing arcade
Axe Throwing Basic Terms
Some basic terms are given in a most appropriate way
| Terms | Description |
| Ambidextrous | Players throw two axes, held in separate hands (Left/Right) at the same single target, aiming to score highest out of 5 throws per 3 rounds |
| Axepert/Jack | Official management committee who watches a game or match closely to ensure that the rules are adhered to and to arbitrate on matters arising from the play |
| Axle | An axe throws of 1.5 rotations |
| Backboard | ¾ inches plywood support and mount target boards |
| Beard | Bottom of the Axe head between the handle and heel |
| Blue Balls | Two blue circles at the top of the point rings are worth 10 points each. When throwing double axes possibly stick both axes in each of the blue balls. This will result in blue ball |
| Breaking Paint | (IATF) throws for clutch must break any paint. (WATL) throws must-have paint visible on both sides to count |
| Bullseyes | The sought-after red circle in the middle of the target. Six-point is typically worth in a standard game. Sticking to bullseye followed with the exclamation like “nailed it” or “boom” |
| Clutch | Term ‘clutch’ is a registered trademark of BATL Global Corporation, used under license by the International Axe Throwing Federation and its members. Green dots located on the upper left and right sides of the target are worth 7 points |
| Doubles | Skills competition where two competitors on the same team throw at the same target at the same time |
| Fault | When a thrower crosses the foul line before they’re allowed, and the throw is scored 0 |
| Fencing | : 9-gauge heavy chain link fencing to separate the lanes from one another as well as the outside social area |
| Foul Line | According to IATF, Line at 9’2” can’t be crossed until both players have been thrown. According to WALT, Line at 12’ which can’t be crossed until official judgment is made |
| Helmet | Upper and lower helmets are present on each lane. Upper is made up of high-density rubber but lower is made up of wood that is mounted below the target. The helmet protects from the throw that is missed from the target. |
| Killshot | Blue Circles in WATL measuring 1.5”, 71 ¼” from the ground, worth 8 points when called on the fifth and tenth throw of the game |
| Michigan Rules | Ideal hatchet format utilizing best of three matches, “break the paint” rules, and upper and lower bonuses |
| Oddball Throws | On the rare occasion that the axe sticks to the target with the back of the blade, the shaft of the axe, or any other part of the axe, the throw still counts, and points are awarded accordingly. |
| Philly-Out | Registering for a limited-field event with some of your friends, then withdrawing from the competition after plane ticket prices increase, guaranteeing that the field will not be filled |
| Rotation of Axe | Spinning of axe before landing on the target. However, unlike bowling where the ball can roll any number of times to achieve a strike, an axe must make a full rotation to stick on target |
| Skills Competition | Tournaments threw in a manner other than a standard hatchet or big axe, typically containing ambidextrous, around the world, and several other formats |
| Sticking of Axe | Tool (Axe) stick to target while axe throwing |
| Sub-Frame | Three wooden layer framework that attaches to where backboard is mounted |
| Target | Five boards 2×10 screwed to a backboard comprising four-point areas |
| Touching the Line | If the axe is in 2 rings simultaneously, then the player is awarded the points for the higher valued ring. As long as the axe is touching the higher value ring, the higher amount of points is awarded. Also, see “Just the Tip” above. |
| Trail Boss | Once big axe became illegal during the tournament due to its below minimum standard weight |
| Unicorn | When a player gets three bullseyes in a row |
| Vernier Calipers | This tool is used in measuring the point score for instances of an axe sticks between two ring values on a target |
Axe Throwing Terminology for Competition:
Now I will try to discuss some basic terms that are normally using during official and unofficial competition
| Terms | Description |
| Arena | One set that contains four-time throwing axe toward the target |
| Axe Throwing Match | A match has two rounds that contain a total of ten throws |
| Block | A small block that throwers may place on the black line toward position their lead foot while throwing |
| Drop | An axe that does not stick to the target and fall out results in zero point |
| Lane | One target setup from block to the bullseye |
| Out of Reach | A match or round that could not win by the thrower |
| Perfect Match | It occurs when the total score of matches is 75 |
| Perfect Round | It occurs when axe hits to bulls’ eye perfectly and gain 25 points |
| Perimeter Wall (Yellow Line) | A wall that separates the audience from the thrower |
| Round | One set contains 5 throws |
| Rubber Match | A match in which the third round of throwing determines the match winner (i.e. third match played when the first two rounds are tied) |
| Supernatural Perfect Match (aka ‘an 81’) | It occurs when the total score of a match equals 81 points., represented by 3 super-perfect rounds. The highest score possible in a standard season match. |
| Supernatural Perfect Round | It occurs when the total score around is 27 points. Achieved when the first 4 throws of around are each a bullseye and the 5th throw is a clutch. |
| The Black Throwing Line (Standard Axe Throwing Line) | This is called the big Axe foot fault line. Standard throwing line where players must position themselves for competitive throwing |
| The Blue Line (Big Axe Line) | Standard throwing line for big axe where players must position themselves for competitive throwing |
| The Red Throwing Line | The standard line where players position themselves for throwing toward the target |
Axe Throwing Terminologies for Brand
Most popular brands with their most used product during official matches
| Terms | Description |
| Agdor | The Hults Bruk Agdor 28” is likely the most popular axe brand that is used in the IATF Big Axe competition |
| Axe Gang | Model of hatchet made by Cold Steel, famous due to its characteristic like thin, flat profile and head weight within IATF specs |
| Estwing | Brand of axe with a single piece steel head and handle |
| Tomahawk | Light axe also used in the completion |
Axe Throwing Leagues
Most popular axe-throwing event and organizing committee
| Terms | Description |
| BATL | The first urban axe throwing league is started in Toronto in 2011 but currently has over 15 locations |
| IATF | International Axe Throwing Federation that is founded in 2016 to manage axe throwing leagues |
| IKTHOF | International Throwers Hall of Fame that is founded in 2003 to manage knife and tomahawk leagues |
| NATC | The NATC is the National Axe Throwing Federations year-end tournament, held in February annually. A year worth of over 100 leagues culminates in a 128 person |
| NATF | National axe throwing Federation was established in 2016 |
| UKAT | United Knife and Tomahawk, an online league for tomahawk, hatchet, double-bit axe, and knife throwing |
| WATL | World Axe Throwing League that is founded in 2017 to manage leagues, tournaments, and judges |
| Wilson Cup | The Wilson Cup is the ultimate prize or the final winner of the NATC Championship finals. Over 4000 league members compete year-round, just for a chance to qualify at the Regionals, which leads to the Road to NATC. 128 of the best throwers over the past year, are welcomed to compete for the Wilson Cup and try to oust some of the best axe throwers in the world. Only 1 person can win the Wilson Cup |
Axe Throwing Terminologies for Equipments
Some basic terms that we are using in daily routine
| Terms | Description |
| Axe | An instrument that is used for throwing in sports and cutting for woods |
| Big Axe | 2.5 to 3.5 pounds axe with 28” to 30“handle used for the tiebreaker |
| Head of axe | The upper or metal portion of axe |
| Bit | Sharpe part of axe head |
| Single Bit | It refers to single blades edge of an axe |
| Double Bit | It refers to double blades edge of an axe in the opposite direction |
| Toe | Top of the axe bit |
| Hatchet | Small axe with 13” to 20” commonly used in competition |
| Heel | The bottom part of axe bit |
| Eye | Hole of axe head, where the handle attaches |
| Poll | It is also called butt in other words, back of the axe head |
| Shopro | House axe for indoor competition with low weight and length |
Conclusion
I tried my best to give you the most accurate knowledge related to some basic terms. But there are some possibilities that you would get minor differences at different places. Different places use different colors due to their decoration combination. Now Axe throwing is very common in clubs, date points, and any other activity centers. If you want to go on official tournament then you will get the most appropriate knowledge