Four Things that Happen When You Join an Axe-Throwing League

Axe-throwing mania seems to have swept over Toronto and the GTA, with more leagues and venues across Ontario than ever in the sport’s 10-year history. It’s no surprise why league attendance is filling up, either; this is a game that values skill over strength and teaches patience, risk-taking and follow-through. Here are just some of the things that happen when you join an axe-throwing league in the GTA.

Take Aim

Develop bullseye accuracy both on the pitch and off. Dexterity is a skill that lends itself to many other personality traits that can be applied to work and life challenges, including patience and precision. Sports psychologists in the last few decades have begun to study that special phenomenon in athletics known as “being in the zone”. It’s a kind of a Zen state where talent, training and performance come together in a potent harmony. Games of accuracy and axe-throwing are particularly attuned to this meditative quality and participants learn techniques for assuaging stage fright and performance anxiety. 

Take Risks

In a heated tournament between two top-of-their-game axe-throwers, taking risks can be the only way to win. When there’s a dead-heat, with two players scoring bullseye after bullseye, the fifth throw becomes the game changer. Suddenly, players can aim for the clutch, two green dots above the target that are worth 7 points. However, they’re incredibly hard to land, and they’re surrounded by scoreless space outside of the target. Either shot is a risk; if you aim for the bullseye and your rival misses the clutch, you’ve sealed the round. However, you’ll be out to lunch if you miss the clutch yourself and your opponent scores any points at all.

Sharpen Your Competitive Edge

Today’s labour market favours athletes and “team-players”, as managers look for qualities like determination and cooperation in former high-school athletes and current members of adult sports league. Athletes can earn significantly higher salaries than their non-competitive colleagues can, and it can be a gateway to higher positions—especially for women. According to the Center for the Study of Sport in Society, four out five women with executive positions today are or have been engaged in some kind of competitive endeavour. It may be an afterthought in the “hobby” section of your CV, but Human Resources departments love to see active pasttimes. It can mean a candidate comes with advantages like commitment, decisiveness under pressure and a competitive spirit that will thrive in the business world.

Make Friends

Some venues like the Backyard Axe Throwing League (BATL) in Ontario even allow you to BYOB (beer or wine only, no glass beer bottles), giving it a real back-of-your-own-home feel. They have several locations in Toronto, including in the Yorkdale, the Portlands and the West End, so it’s convenient to stop in after clocking out at the office or grabbing a quick bite at home. People from all walks of life come to play and the gender divide is about 50-50, possibly owing to the fact that it’s a co-ed game even during tournaments. It isn’t all about becoming the alpha dog—it can be as simple as a way to unwind after a long workweek and make friends. When you learn how to throw an axe at BATL, you’ll experience quick camaraderie with your competitors.

If you’re looking for something to throw a wrench in your weekly routine, this is a sport worth considering. Every now and then, you need a fuel injection to reinvigorate the daily grind. BATL is quickly becoming one of Toronto’s favourite hobbies, and it might just be the adrenaline rush you need to push through the week. Check regularly for league sign-up dates and get ready for some target practice.