National Axe Throwing Federation

The International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) is a global organization, originally established in the United States in 2016 as the National Axe Throwing Federation (NATF) with the purpose of promoting and regulating the sport of axe throwing.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

IATF has over 20,000 competitive throwers.^[5] Its leagues culminate in the International Axe Throwing Championship (IATC) to award the Wilson Cup and over $16,500 in prize money and charitable donation.

Scoring

Scoring in axe-throwing includes a three-round match system where five axes are thrown per round. The first player to win two of three rounds wins. Scoring is determined by where on the target the axe strikes.

The targets under NATF have a black bullseye ring, followed by a red ring, and then a blue ring. The scoring is 5, 3, and 1 point respectively. Additionally, there are green dots in the corner, known as “Clutch,” and must be called in advance during the final throw of a match (worth 7 points). Point designation is based on where the majority of the blade lands and sticks.^[6]

Current Member Organizations

ABQ Axe
Axe Club of America
Axe Factor Singapore
Axe Kickers
Axe Nation
Axt Axe Throwing
Backyard Axe Throwing League (BATL)
Bare Axe Throwing
Bounce Milwaukee (Fling Milwaukee)
Bullseye Axe Throwing
Cascadia Axe Company
Chill Axe Throwing
Chopper's Hatchet House
Civil Axe Throwing
Detroit Axe
Flying Timber Axe Throwing
Forged Axe Throwing
Game of Axes
Golden Axe Throw Club
Half Axe
Kraken Axes
LA AX
Axe Club of America
LumberJaxes
Lumberjaxs Axe Throwing (Tamworth UK)
Lumber Punks Axe Throwing (Gold Coast, Brisbane, Perth & Melbourne - Australia)
Maniax Axe Throwing
Mazhu Axes
Meduseld Meadery
Northern Axperts
Peterborough Axe Club
Primitive Axe
Rage Academy
Riot Axe
Skeeters Axe Club (London, UK)
Timber Lounge Halifaxe
The Axe Shack (Bridgwater, UK)
Tomahawks Axe Throwing
Total Axe Throwing
True North Axe Throwing
UberWarrior Closed
Urban Axes
Valhalla Indoor Axe Throwing
Valhalla North Axe Throwing (Durham, UK)
Warriors Axe Throwing

National Axe Throwing Championship

The axe throwing league calendar culminates at the National Axe Throwing Championship (NATC), where league players compete for the Wilson Cup. The NATC takes place in two stages of competition in January and February of each year. The final stage takes place during the annual All-Star Weekend, together with other axe throwing events including the Winter Skillz competition and the Axe Prom dinner and awards ceremony.

Charitable Support

The 2018 All-Star Weekend was presented by Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. The NATC tournament helped to raise proceeds of $9,766.92 for donation to the Red Door Family Shelter.

NATC Winners

Winners of the NATC are awarded the Wilson Cup, which is named after the NATF's Commissioner, Matt Wilson. Wilson and some friends pioneered the sport in 2006.^[7]

2017-19 Straun Riley - Backyard Axe Throwing League
2016-17 Stefan Herda - Backyard Axe Throwing League

From 2012 - 2016 the National Axe Throwing Championship was known as the annual Champions League tournament for eligible competitors from the Backyard Axe Throwing League. Past Champions League winners include:

2013-16 Stefan Herda
2012-13 Jari Salovaara
2011-12 Dave Michna

NATF Competitive Regions

The NATF consists of seven North American regions and one International region to support local axe throwing competition.

History

The National Axe Throwing Federation was founded in 2016 by Matt Wilson and COO, Brian Simmons, from BATL.^[8]

References

^ Heller, Karen (30 September 2016). "Competitive axe-throwing is an actual thing, and apparently it's best done with beer". The Washington Post. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
^ Delean, Paul (7 November 2016). "Axe-throwing is suddenly all the rage in Montreal". The Gazette. Montreal. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
^ Bosker, Bianca (September 2016). "Big in Canada: Throwing Axes for Fun". The Atlantic. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
^ "About".
^ "About the IATF". internationalaxethrowingfederation.com. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
^ Mitka, Nate (January 2017). "Trend: Hatchet-Throwing Leagues On The Rise". Gear Junkie. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
^ Fatima, Sahar (June 2013). "Trend: Where burying the hatchet can gain you points". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
^ Scordo, Lizbeth. "Taking an Axe to Dull Evenings". The Red Bulletin.

External links

Official website

[1] Heller, Karen (30 September 2016). "Competitive axe-throwing is an actual thing, and apparently it's best done with beer". The Washington Post. Retrieved 22 December 2016.

[2] Delean, Paul (7 November 2016). "Axe-throwing is suddenly all the rage in Montreal". The Gazette. Montreal. Retrieved 22 December 2016.

[3] Bosker, Bianca (September 2016). "Big in Canada: Throwing Axes for Fun". The Atlantic. Retrieved 22 December 2016.

[4] "About".

[5] "About the IATF". internationalaxethrowingfederation.com. Retrieved 18 September 2023.

[6] Mitka, Nate (January 2017). "Trend: Hatchet-Throwing Leagues On The Rise". Gear Junkie. Retrieved 23 November 2017.

[7] Fatima, Sahar (June 2013). "Trend: Where burying the hatchet can gain you points". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 28 December 2017.

[:0-8] Scordo, Lizbeth. "Taking an Axe to Dull Evenings". The Red Bulletin.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]