Axe throwing has surged in popularity as both a recreational activity and a competitive sport. Fundamentally, it involves participants throwing an axe at a target, aiming to hit the bullseye, much like in archery. Scoring a game of axe throwing is fairly straightforward once you understand the rules and structure of the target.
The Target: A standard axe throwing target consists of a large circular bullseye with several concentric rings around it. Each ring has a point value, typically with the bullseye having the highest value and the points decreasing the further they are from the center. The common scoring values from the center outward are 6, 4, 3, 2, and 1.
Scoring Rules: When throwing an axe, a player’s score for that throw is determined by where the blade of the axe sticks into the target. The most critical rule is that the axe must remain in the target until scored. If it falls out before it can be scored, that throw often doesn’t count.
A very important aspect of scoring in axe throwing involves understanding what counts as a valid hit within a scoring zone. In many scoring systems, if the axe blade is touching any of the lines that divide the scoring rings, the player is typically awarded the higher of the two possible scores. This feature of scoring is termed as “breaker rule”. Careful attention and sometimes close inspection are necessary to determine if the axe has broken the plane of the higher point value.
Bullseye: A bullseye, usually the center dot, worth the most points, has specific rules. For example, in some leagues, it might need to be called before throwing. Moreover, there is sometimes a limit to how many times a bullseye will count for maximum points during a game or match.
Kill Shots: Some axe throwing games have special regions in the corners of the target, often called “kill shots” or “clutch.” These are smaller, typically worth 7 or 8 points, and are frequently only available to players under specific circumstances, such as on the final throw of a match or when needing to make a comeback in points. Like with bullseyes, players often need to call their intention to aim for a kill shot before throwing.
Scoring a Match: A match can consist of several throws per player. After each throw, points are tallied. The player with the highest score at the end of the match wins. In the instance of a tie, tie-breaker throws – often directly at the bullseye – may be utilized to decide the winner.
League Play and Variations: League play commonly adheres to standardized rules set by bodies like the World Axe Throwing League (WATL) or the International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF). However, casual play can vary significantly, with local rules and social norms determining exactly how a game is scored.
When playing or overseeing a game, it’s essential to understand the specific rules of the facility or league you’re participating in. Beyond that, maintaining fairness and consistency in judgment calls when scoring the axes requires attention to detail and sometimes the help of additional judges or even digital tools to ensure the accuracy of line-break calls.
Competent scoring in axe throwing rounds out the experience and keeps the game fair, challenging, and entertaining for everyone involved. Whether you’re a casual thrower or a competitive axe wielder, understanding the scoring is as important as technique and precision for enjoying this growing sport to its fullest.