5 Steps to Becoming an Axe Throwing Champion

Originally Published: January 26, 2021
Updated: September 27, 2024

So, You Want to Become an Axe Throwing Champion?

Maybe you’ve thrown some axes before and it didn’t go as well as you hoped so you want to improve. Or, it did go well and now you’ve been bitten by the axe throwing bug and want to get better. Or maybe you saw someone else doing it and thought “That looks cool. I want to learn!” Whatever the scenario, something made you decide you want to become an axe throwing champion.

Now that you know what you want, you need guidance getting there. Stumpy’s Hatchet House is here to help! Follow our five easy steps and you’ll improve your game and become the best axe thrower you can be. And be sure to visit us so you can follow through on your progress and become a local axe throwing champion.

How to Become an Axe Throwing Champion in Five Easy Steps

Step One: Practice Makes Perfect

We’ve all heard the old saying “practice makes perfect” and that holds true with axe throwing. While it would be impressive, no one has ever become an axe throwing champion their first time throwing a hatchet. Your first throw likely won’t be a bullseye, but don’t let that discourage you. Some people have natural talent, but even they need to practice if they’re going to win a championship. Practicing allows you to try out different things. Some examples include:

• Seeing if your dominant foot should be directly in front of the bullseye or off-center

• Testing multiple grips until one feels right and you’re able to repeat it
  

• Trying different axes, releases, handle lengths, and strides

Step Two: Developing a Consistent Throw

You’ve practiced, learned what you’re doing, and now it’s time to develop a consistent throw. An axe throwing coach can help you with this step. You’ll start by being positioned in a specific spot, and your coach will help you tweak where you stand over time. It’s fairly easy to get careless about where you’re standing, so you need to continue to pay attention to it or have friends or teammates remind you. The distance you stand from your target is important. 

Repetition is key when it comes to developing a consistent hatchet throwing technique. Stand in the same place and execute every mechanic the same way for every throw. That includes your 

• Grip
• Foot placement
• Step 
• Release

To start, place your lead foot in the same exact spot every time. From there, place your back foot and grip your axe. Take a step forward, bring your axe back, and plant your foot before bringing your arm forward to release the axe.

Step Three: Getting Feedback

There’s only so much you can do on your own. That’s why it helps tremendously to have someone watch your axe throwing technique for deficiencies. Many throwers drop their shoulder without realizing it. Other common mistakes include not following through or taking a smaller step. Having an experienced axe thrower watch you for just five minutes can save you lots of time experimenting. An experienced throwing coach, like the ones we have at Stumpy’s Hatchet House, can guide you for a few minutes and give you some inside tips. You and your friends or teammates can also take turns watching each other throw and giving feedback.

Step Four: Start Competing

After you’ve practiced and perfected your throw, it’s time to start competing. Competition just feels different than practicing or throwing with a group of friends for fun. Keep in mind that competition should be fun, although you will probably experience some nerves along the way. Competing against others helps you see where you stand in comparison and measure your progress. As Ric Flair famously said, “to be the man, you’ve gotta beat the man.” Wooooo!

Step Five: Focus on the Right Milestones

Having the right goals in place is important. There are many impressive milestones that you can achieve in axe throwing. Although you shouldn’t consider it out of the question, don’t expect to throw an 81 in your first season of competition. It takes many hours of practice and competition to become the best. That’s why you should set milestones that slowly increase in difficulty. The following seven milestones can help you measure your progress:

• A natural perfect game – five bullseyes
• Two consecutive natural perfect games
• A natural perfect match – all 15 bullseyes in a match
• An 80% bullseye rate for a night – 48/60 bullseyes
• A supernatural perfect game – four bullseyes followed by a clutch
• All three clutches in a match
• Your first 81

Become an Axe Throwing Champion at Stumpy’s Hatchet House

Now that you know what it takes to become an axe throwing champion, what are you waiting for? Whether you’ve never thrown an axe before or you’ve just dabbled, the time to become great is now. Start practicing today at your nearest Stumpy’s Hatchet House. Before long, you’ll be competing and perfecting your craft. Don’t forget to ring the bullseye bell after every bullseye!