One-handed axe throwing technique
Two-handed axe throwing technique
1/ Handling a throwing axe
a. Hammer grip
The hammer grip is the recommended grip for throwing an axe. The hand grips the axe handle vertically. The forearm and axe handle form a 90° angle. The underside of the hand is aligned with the end of the handle.
b. Shake hands" grip
The grip is similar to the hammer grip, but the handle is angled at 120°. This locks the angle of the wrist, reducing lateral rotation. The axe plants better. The only drawback is that the movement has less amplitude, and you have to force the tilting movement to give the axe vertical rotation.
c. (Optional) Modified hammer socket
Start by gripping the axe with a hammer grip. Then place your thumb vertically on the axe. This grip slows down the vertical rotation. The thrower can reach greater distances.
2/ Supports
Support is crucial in axe throwing. Although this activity is performed with the hands, everything starts from the ground: the supports transmit energy to the wrist, which in turn provides the precision of the gesture.
a. Classic position: foot opposite throwing arm forward
This position is used by 90% of throwers. The tip of the front foot is pointing towards the target, while the rear foot is set back about 40 cm, at 40-45° to the front foot. The thrower is well supported, with body weight on the front (60%). The front knee is bent, the back leg straight.
b. Czech position: feet in line
Shoulders and legs parallel and facing the target. The pelvis is blocked. This position does not allow for body amplitude. It therefore requires a good abdominal girdle, especially at medium and long distances.
c. Amble position: foot of throwing arm forward
This position requires great shoulder power. It is rarely used.
3/ Axe throwing gestures
a. Starting position
The throwing arm is positioned at mid-height, stretched forward but with the elbow unlocked, i.e. relaxed. The non-throwing arm is positioned alongside the body or forward to help you position your axe angle.
b. Throwing arm movement
Start the arm movement at the shoulder (which rises first), then bend the elbow, keeping the initial 90° angle between forearm and axe. At the top of the gesture, the wrist remains locked at a 90° angle, without breaking the elbow behind the head. The shoulders do not move back, and the back leg must remain straight.
c. Throw and progressive thrust
Gradually push the axe forward, releasing it. The wrist remains locked. Release the axe when the arm is horizontal. Do not wait until the end of the movement to push violently and rotate the axe. Doing so will result in parasitic wrist movements and thus an irregular vertical rotation of the axe.
d. Motion synchronization
Synchronize your arm movement with the rest of your body. When you start the arm movement to throw the axe, the knee engages the target and acts as a shock absorber. You don't want to break your back and send the energy to the ground, but forward. To do this, the shoulders must remain parallel to the ground, transmitting the movement straight towards the target.
The pelvis is locked to prevent rotational movements and also engages in a back-and-forth movement.
The gesture should be carried out with relaxation, without forcing. It's important to synchronize the upper and lower body, i.e. to engage the knee and hips forward with a progressive thrust for the throw.
4/ Find your rotation distance
If the handle is at the top, move forward in 5 cm increments until you find the right length. On the other hand, if the handle is low, you'll need to move backwards.
5/ The most common axe-throwing mistakes
- Don't keep your pelvis in line: this causes the axe to rotate.
- Accelerate the wrist movement too much: it's important to achieve a progressive thrust in line with the forearm so that the axe arrives straight at the target.
- Unlock the wrist at the peak of the progressive thrust. This causes the axe to rotate irregularly, hitting the target sideways.
- Bend the back leg at the end of the movement. The shoulders are dragged down, the axe falls below the target.
If you'd like to delve deeper into the subject, take a look at the videos of world axe and knife throwing champion Pierre Cazoulat.
How do you throw an axe?
One-handed axe throwing technique
Two-handed axe throwing technique
1/ Handling a throwing axe
a. Hammer grip
The hammer grip is the recommended grip for throwing an axe. The hand grips the axe handle vertically. The forearm and axe handle form a 90° angle. The underside of the hand is aligned with the end of the handle.
b. Shake hands" grip
The grip is similar to the hammer grip, but the handle is angled at 120°. This locks the angle of the wrist, reducing lateral rotation. The axe plants better. The only drawback is that the movement has less amplitude, and you have to force the tilting movement to give the axe vertical rotation.
c. (Optional) Modified hammer socket
Start by gripping the axe with a hammer grip. Then place your thumb vertically on the axe. This grip slows down the vertical rotation. The thrower can reach greater distances.
2/ Supports
Support is crucial in axe throwing. Although this activity is performed with the hands, everything starts from the ground: the supports transmit energy to the wrist, which in turn provides the precision of the gesture.
a. Classic position: foot opposite throwing arm forward
This position is used by 90% of throwers. The tip of the front foot is pointing towards the target, while the rear foot is set back about 40 cm, at 40-45° to the front foot. The thrower is well supported, with body weight on the front (60%). The front knee is bent, the back leg straight.
b. Czech position: feet in line
Shoulders and legs parallel and facing the target. The pelvis is blocked. This position does not allow for body amplitude. It therefore requires a good abdominal girdle, especially at medium and long distances.
c. Amble position: foot of throwing arm forward
This position requires great shoulder power. It is rarely used.
3/ Axe throwing gestures
a. Starting position
The throwing arm is positioned at mid-height, stretched forward but with the elbow unlocked, i.e. relaxed. The non-throwing arm is positioned alongside the body or forward to help you position your axe angle.
b. Throwing arm movement
Start the arm movement at the shoulder (which rises first), then bend the elbow, keeping the initial 90° angle between forearm and axe. At the top of the gesture, the wrist remains locked at a 90° angle, without breaking the elbow behind the head. The shoulders do not move back, and the back leg must remain straight.
c. Throw and progressive thrust
Gradually push the axe forward, releasing it. The wrist remains locked. Release the axe when the arm is horizontal. Do not wait until the end of the movement to push violently and rotate the axe. Doing so will result in parasitic wrist movements and thus an irregular vertical rotation of the axe.
d. Motion synchronization
Synchronize your arm movement with the rest of your body. When you start the arm movement to throw the axe, the knee engages the target and acts as a shock absorber. You don't want to break your back and send the energy to the ground, but forward. To do this, the shoulders must remain parallel to the ground, transmitting the movement straight towards the target.
The pelvis is locked to prevent rotational movements and also engages in a back-and-forth movement.
The gesture should be carried out with relaxation, without forcing. It's important to synchronize the upper and lower body, i.e. to engage the knee and hips forward with a progressive thrust for the throw.
4/ Find your rotation distance
If the handle is at the top, move forward in 5 cm increments until you find the right length. On the other hand, if the handle is low, you'll need to move backwards.
5/ The most common axe-throwing mistakes
- Don't keep your pelvis in line: this causes the axe to rotate.
- Accelerate the wrist movement too much: it's important to achieve a progressive thrust in line with the forearm so that the axe arrives straight at the target.
- Unlock the wrist at the peak of the progressive thrust. This causes the axe to rotate irregularly, hitting the target sideways.
- Bend the back leg at the end of the movement. The shoulders are dragged down, the axe falls below the target.
If you'd like to delve deeper into the subject, take a look at the videos of world axe and knife throwing champion Pierre Cazoulat.
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