Axe Throwing
Competition
Introduction
Please read these rules carefully. In the interests of safety, axe
throwing will only be allowed in the presence of the umpire and
marshals, whose job it will be to prevent anybody except competitors
entering the target area. The targets will be lowered to the ground
when no marshals are present.
Entering the Event
Registration is at the throwing area as soon as possible on Saturday
morning. Daniel Addey-Jibb and the team from Hamlet Heavy Timberworks will be organizing this event.
Please indicate your interest in participating on your
Conference registration form.
The Competition
20 ft regular throw – Individual
- Each thrower takes 5 throws, the total of those 5 making the
final score.
- Any technique is allowed provided it does not endanger others
- A second and final round will be held only if two or more
individuals tie for first place. In this case the same rules will
apply as for the first round. (Photo credit at left: Will
Beemer)
The Rules
Scoring
- One sighting throw will be allowed each competitor. This will be
immediately followed by 5 scoring throws.
- The targets score thus: 5 for a bull diminishing 4, 3, 2, 1, to
the outer edge of the target. The maximum score for 5 throws will
be 25.
- If the bit of the axe cuts the line between one ring and another,
the higher score will count.
Axes
- Double bitted.
- Handle length: 2ft min.
- Weight: 2½ lbs min.
- Edge: 6" max.
- Head: firmly fixed on shaft.
Note: A century-old company that is known for its axes is
Sweden’s Gränsfors Bruks. The company’s website at www.gransfors.com
has much information on axe throwing and sources for buying axes.
Gränsfors Bruks throwing axes are available here:
If you have trouble ordering an axe from these sources, please contact
the TFG office at 559-834-8453 for more vendors, or do a web search.
Throwing Style
- Any style is permitted provided it does not endanger other
competitors or spectators.
- Competitors may not overstep the throwing line until the axe has
hit or missed the target.
Foul shots
- The axe must remain in the target until retrieved by the thrower.
- The fore bit only may touch the target. If the back bit is in
contact with the target, there will be no score for that throw.
- The thrower must not remove the axe until the umpire has assessed
the score and agreed that with the thrower. If the axe is removed
before this, the score for that throw will be lost.
- The umpire’s decision is final.
Safety
- Safety of all attending the TFG Western Conference is of
paramount importance. Anybody judged by the organizers to be
compromising safety in any way will be asked to leave the
competition.
- Competitors must comply with the requests of the marshals and
umpire.
- Practice will only be allowed on the practice targets when
marshals are in attendance.
- Axes must be kept guarded at all times except when inside the
throwing area.
- Only the umpire, marshals and competitors currently engaged in
throwing will be allowed in the throwing area.
Practice
- There will be four targets in a row. The two center targets will
be used for the competition (and practice when appropriate, at the
discretion of the umpire and marshals). The two outer targets will
be for practice only.
- Immediately before your competition throw, you will be allowed a
short practice session on a practice target while the previous
competitor is throwing on the competition target.
- General practice will be allowed on all targets before the
competition and between rounds at the discretion of the umpire and
marshals.
Section Reprinted from Gransfors Bruks Site With Permission

Axethrowing
Rules
The straight distance from the "Throwing Line" to the
bull's eye on the target should be 20’ (6.1 m).
The thrower may not overstep or cross the "Throwing Line"
before the axe has hit or missed the target. Should be checked
by a linesman.
The "Fore-Bit" is the bit in the target direction in the moment
when the thrower lets the double-bitted axe go.
Only the "Fore-Bit" of the double-bitted axe can score a hit on
the target area ­ a condition is however that the bit
sticks in the target.The "Fore-Bit" only needs to cut the outer
edge of a line of the scoring area to win points of that higher
scoring area. The "Back-Bit" is not allowed to brush against
the target ­ if so the scoring will be 0 even if the
"Fore-Bit" has hit the target at same time. Best score in
minimum of three throws wins.
At competitions, targets for practice should be provided.
Practicing throws at targets planned for competition means
automatic disqualification. The standards for a
Double-Bitted Competition Axe and the design for a
Competition Target are shown below.
1: 20' (6,1 m)
2: 60'' (1,5 m)
3a | 3b: "Fore-Bit" sticks in target

Double-Bit Axe or Throwing Axe
1: Min. 24'' (610 mm)
2: Max. 6'' (152 mm)
Weight: min 2 1/2 lb (1134 g, incl. handle) |

Target
1: 4'' (102 mm)
2: Ø = 36'' (914 mm)
The Swedish Axe Throwing Society
arranges yearly the Swedish Championship in Axe Throwing.
Organizers and participants: Pay attention to the security so
that none of the participants or audience will be hurt! Rope
off an area large enough. Enter the area only to throw or check
score.
The address of the Swedish Axe
Throwing Society is:
Yxkastareförbundet
c/o Tina Nordberg
Våsjö Skola, Orsta
730 30 Kolsva
Sweden
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