First time axe throwing? Good. Everyone starts somewhere. The rules aren’t complicated, but knowing them before you arrive means you walk in confident rather than spending the first ten minutes working out what’s expected. Here are the eight etiquette rules that matter — safety-based, competition-based, and general group manners — explained by the people who run sessions every day.
If you haven’t already, you can book your first session at our London or Birmingham venues before reading further — knowing the rules in advance genuinely improves how quickly you get comfortable throwing.
Rule 1: Nobody Goes Past the Throwing Line Until All Axes Have Been Thrown
This is the most important safety rule in axe throwing, and it’s non-negotiable. The throwing line — marked on the floor of your lane — is the boundary. Nobody crosses it to retrieve axes, collect a phone that slipped out, or check their score until every person in the group has completed their throw and the instructor gives the all-clear. It sounds obvious, but in the excitement of a tournament final, it’s easy to step forward instinctively. Don’t.
Rule 2: Handle the Axe Blade-Down When Not Throwing
When you’re holding an axe and not in the throwing position, carry it with the blade facing the ground. Never swing it casually at your side, don’t mime throwing it while standing in the group, and don’t pass it to a friend blade-first. Your instructor will demonstrate the correct hold at the start of the session — follow their lead exactly.
Rule 3: Wait for Your Turn Completely Before Approaching the Line
Only one person throws at a time. Wait until the person before you has fully stepped back from the line before you approach. Crowding the line while someone else is mid-throw is both distracting and unsafe. The rhythm of the session is set by the instructor — they’ll call you up.
Rule 4: Celebrate Hits — Not Misses
Good group energy is what makes an axe throwing session memorable. That means celebrating when people hit the target — including people you’re competing against — and not mocking misses. Axe throwing has a learning curve. The person who looks most nervous in round one will often throw the best by the tournament. Keep the energy positive.
The sessions that are best remembered are the ones where the whole group is genuinely cheering for everyone. The ones that feel flat are usually the ones where a few competitive people undermine the vibe with sarcasm after misses.
Rule 5: No Alcohol Before or During the Session
Axeperience does not permit alcohol consumption before or during throwing sessions. This is a firm policy across both venues and applies without exception. Pre-session drinks aren’t allowed — sessions are booked and run sober. Post-session drinks are a different story and are enthusiastically encouraged.
The World Axe Throwing League’s published safety standards for venues address alcohol policies specifically — Axeperience’s approach is consistent with the highest tier of competition venue standards.
Rule 6: Wear the Right Footwear
Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. Sandals, flip-flops, and heeled shoes are not permitted in the throwing lanes. If you arrive in footwear that doesn’t meet the requirement, you won’t be cleared to throw. Trainers or boots are ideal — anything that covers your foot completely and gives you stable footing.
Our full guide on what to wear axe throwing covers footwear, clothing, and accessories in detail if you want to prepare properly before arriving.
Rule 7: Tell Your Instructor About Injuries Before You Start
If you have a shoulder, wrist, elbow, or back injury, mention it to your instructor before the session begins — not after you’ve already thrown twice and it’s hurting. The instructor can adjust your technique, modify your throwing position, or help you decide whether throwing is the right call. This is for your benefit, not theirs.
Injuries that seem minor (a slightly tight shoulder, a wrist that’s been playing up) can be aggravated by the throwing motion if technique isn’t adjusted. A two-minute conversation with your instructor beforehand prevents a week of discomfort after.
Rule 8: Don’t Coach Other Throwers Unless Asked
Your instructor is the only person in the lane whose job it is to give technique advice. If you’ve been throwing for 20 minutes and you think you’ve figured out the technique, resist the urge to coach other group members unless they specifically ask you. Unsolicited technique advice during someone else’s turn is distracting at best and actively undermines their confidence at worst.
The exception: if a friend is genuinely struggling and asks for input between rounds, that’s fine. The key word is ‘asks’.
First-Timer Summary
To summarise for first-timers: follow the instructor’s lead on everything safety-related, keep the blade down when not throwing, wait for your turn properly, keep the energy positive, don’t drink before the session, wear closed-toe shoes, mention any injuries upfront, and let the instructor do the coaching.
The rest — the technique, the scoring, the tournament format — will be explained in your session. You don’t need to know it in advance. You just need to arrive ready to listen and throw.
Frequently Asked Questions — Axe Throwing Rules
What should I do if my axe gets stuck in an awkward position?
Leave it exactly where it is until the instructor or a staff member retrieves it. Never try to pull an axe out of a wall or target yourself — the angles can be unpredictable. Your instructor handles axe retrieval.
Can I bring my own axe?
No. All equipment is provided by Axeperience and inspected before each session. External equipment isn’t permitted in the lanes for safety reasons.
What if someone in my group breaks a rule?
Your instructor will address it directly and calmly. Sessions are paused when safety rules are breached; the instructor resets the group and continues. It’s rare, handled well, and doesn’t ruin the session.
Is there a dress code beyond closed-toe shoes?
No formal dress code — just the footwear requirement. Comfortable clothes you can move in are ideal. Smart dress, office wear, and stag/hen outfits are all fine as long as footwear is appropriate.
Ready to put the rules into practice? Book your session for a stag do, hen do, birthday, or any group — the format works for every occasion. Full details on our stag do page, hen do page, and birthday parties page.
Book Your First Session
London Tower Hill and Birmingham city centre. First-timers welcome every session — every session starts from scratch for everyone. From £30pp. Book at axeperience.co.uk/booking/.
