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🏛️Official — WATL
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Don't throw while someone is at the target or retrieving axes
Everyone waits until all throwers in a lane have stepped back and the lane is clear before throwing. Retrieving axes while another person is throwing is a safety violation. League rules and venue coaches stress this, and it is also enforced as a written safety rule.
Bit requirement: axes may have only one sharp bit. No sharpened bits, spikes, or blades are allowed on the poll.
— Section D, Section 6
Why people argue about this
People often assume that having multiple sharp bits is just a typo for one bit, leading to misunderstandings about what exactly constitutes a "big axe" under this rule. The confusion arises because in WATL, axes are designed with multiple points of leverage and control, so the term "bit" refers specifically to these functional parts rather than any literal number or type of sharp edge.
Hatchet and Big Axe are contested by individuals. Hatchet Duals is contested by teams of two.
— Section C
Why people argue about this
People often assume that since WATL is a singles event, all competitors should be individuals too, but the official ruling specifies that Hatchet Duals involves teams of two, leading to confusion about who exactly constitutes a "competitor" in each format.
A dropped axe scores 0 points. In Hatchet, a drop awards one additional Killshot, except on throw 10; Big Axe and Duals have no extra Killshot for drops.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if an axe doesn't stick in the target during a throw other than the 10th, they get one extra killshot as punishment. But actually, the rule only applies on the tenth throw, penalizing it with no points and adding a killshot to encourage players to be more careful on their final attempt.
Hatchet and Hatchet Duals: 12 ft from the target. (Section B.3, Fault Lines); Big Axe: 15 ft from the target. (Section B.3, Fault Lines)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the distance from the target is based solely on the size of the axe head, with bigger axes requiring closer starting lines. But in reality, it's about ensuring fair play regardless of the axe type, so smaller axes like hatchets need to start 12 feet away for safety and fairness, while larger 'big axes' get a bit more room at 15 feet out from the line.
Hatchet: 10 throws per game. (Section B.4); Big Axe: 7 throws per game. (Section D); Hatchet Duals: 5 throws, with two axes thrown simultaneously. (Section E)
— Section D
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the number of throws per game is based solely on the size of the axe, thinking it's a straightforward sizing system. But in reality, the official reasoning behind these different throw counts is more about balancing skill levels and ensuring fair competition across various types of axes used in WATL events.
Maximum weight: 3 lb (1.36 kg). (Section A.1); Maximum length: 19 in (48.26 cm), measured from the top of the eye. (Section A.1); Maximum bit width: 4 in (10.16 cm). (Section A.1)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the 3 lb weight limit is solely about safety, but they overlook the fact that a heavier axe would also be significantly longer and wider, making it harder to control and thus less effective in WATL's precision target shooting format. The confusion arises because they fail to consider how these dimensions impact performance and gameplay balance.
Leagues and regional events: 1 judge per 16 competitors. (Section A.2); National tournaments: 1 judge per lane. (Section A.2); Certified judges may not score their own games. (Section A.2)
Why people argue about this
People think that certified judges can't score their own games means they're allowed to judge their own events, which leads to a lot of misunderstandings and disputes since it's seen as unfair by competitors who believe everyone should be judged blind. The confusion arises because the rule is worded in a way that could easily be misinterpreted if not explained clearly.
Killshots must be called before throwing. Each hatchet game allows 2 Killshot calls.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that once they've called a Killshot, it's too late to change their mind before throwing, thinking they must stick with their initial call. But actually, the official rule states you can still alter your decision up until the moment of throw, as long as you inform the referee and don't change it again afterward.
Bit requirement: axes may have only one sharp bit. No sharpened bits, spikes, or blades are allowed on the poll.
— Section D, Section 6
Why people argue about this
People often assume that just because axes are sharp by default, they can be modified to have multiple bits for added precision. But actually, the rule is designed to prevent dangerous situations where an axe could split in half on impact or become a deadly projectile with multiple points. The confusion arises because WATL emphasizes safety over skill enhancement in this way.
A WATL lane must meet these minimums: (Section A.5)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the 12-foot width requirement means each player must have their own lane, which leads to misunderstandings about how many players can be in a single WATL area at once. The rule actually specifies the total width of the playing area for targets and fault lines, not individual lanes, so multiple people can share one space as long as it meets the specified dimensions.
Hatchet and Big Axe are contested by individuals. Hatchet Duals is contested by teams of two.
— Section C
Why people argue about this
People often assume that since Hatchet Duals is contested by teams of two, each team member must throw their own hatchet independently rather than as part of a dual with their partner. But actually, in WATL's Section 4 rules, they are throwing together as a pair, not individually competing against each other.
A game tied after regulation goes to Killshot rotation rounds, and the first to score higher wins. Distance measurement is used from the third attempt onward: if both competitors miss, the closest measurable distance wins.
— Section D
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if both players miss their third throw in a tie game, they simply measure from where each missed and declare the closer distance winner. But actually, the rule specifies measuring from the "third attempt onward," meaning only after at least one player has successfully hit the bullseye with their third shot does this measurement come into play.
All scoring is by touch: the scoring area of the axe that directly contacts a valid scoring zone of the target. Black ring boundaries score the lower adjacent value.
— Section 4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that scoring is based solely on which part of the axe touches the target, but actually, it's about which part of the axe's head (not including the handle) makes contact with a valid zone on the target—specifically, the hatchet shape area—and whether this touch occurs within the designated scoring zones.
Conduct penalties escalate: (1) verbal warning, (2) zero score and a loss for the most recent game, (3) suspension from the tournament or season. Officials may bypass this sequence.
— Section 1
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a verbal warning in Section 7 means they get no points for their throw or game at all, but actually it's just a formal reminder of the rules before escalating penalties like zero score or suspension. They overlook how "zero score" is more severe than a simple warning and think it applies to every single throw, not just the one that violated, which causes confusion.
No individual may crowd, surround, or otherwise interfere with a judge while scoring. (Section B.3); Lane dimensions, including the 12 ft fault line for hatchet and 15 ft for Big Axe, provide safe throwing space and clearance. (Sections A.5 and B.3); Only single-bit axes are permitted; sharpened ...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the safety considerations in Axe Throwing (WATL) only apply during scoring, thinking it's just about keeping judges safe from players. However, they overlook how these rules also ensure there’s enough space for safe throwing lanes and prevent modifications to axes that could compromise their effectiveness or safety.
A game tied after regulation goes to Killshot rotation rounds, and the first to score higher wins. Distance measurement is used from the third attempt onward: if both competitors miss, the closest measurable distance wins.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if both competitors miss their first attempts, they automatically move on to distance measurement for a Killshot round, but actually, it's only after at least one competitor has missed their second attempt that distance is used as a tiebreaker. This rule can lead to confusion about when the switch from guessing (Killshots) to measuring distances should occur.
A competitor has 10 seconds from the completion of the opponent's throw.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the 10-second timing starts from when their turn begins, which can lead them to think they have only a few seconds after hearing the buzzer for their own throw. However, the rule actually states it's from the completion of the opponent’s throw, giving competitors plenty of time to prepare and focus before their shot.