The rules presented below are used in Europe at big international competitions. Thus, the results achieved by the individual sport throwers can be compared more easily.
Available in many different languages
History / Status
In many European nations, there are competitions in axe throwing and knife throwing, albeit with different rules. Thus, on the 20th of September 2008 in Chomutov/Czech Republic, on the occasion of the eighth Big European Throwers Meeting, official representatives of the sport from 4 countries sat together to discuss common rules. After three hous of negotiations in 4 languages, we found a consensus, the rules presented here.
Persons present at the negotiations:
- Smajda Ludvik, Czech Republic, Celts club
- Franta Olbort, Czech Republic, NAJA club
- Americo Sabato, Italy, president of the Associazione Lanciatori Sportivi Italia
- Stefan Slahor, Slovakia
- Tomas Maurer, Czech Republic, NAJA club
- Norbert Maier, Germany, president of the EuroThrowers club
- Michel Dujay, France
- Christian Thiel, Germany, vice-president of the EuroThrowers club (chairman of the negotiations)
Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic will use these rules at big international competitions, partly also for local events.
Of course, those rules may be and are encouraged to be used in countries not having signed the agreement in Chomutov!
European Knife- and Axe Throwing Rules (Chomutov Agreement)
Target / Points
The target is a circle measuring 50cm in diameter; it is partitioned into 5 concentric rings with the following diameters: 10cm, 20cm, 30cm, 40cm, 50cm.
Points: the center (bullseye) earns 5 points, 4/3/2/1 points are awarded for the respective outer rings.
Events
Standard events:
Knives 3m, Knives 5m and Knives 7m.
Axes 4m and Axes 7m.
Distances given for these events are minimum distances. You must not stand closer to the target, but can move a maximum of 2m back (both for knives and axes).
You have 21 throws per event. For each target you are allowed one test throw, which has to be declared as such in advance.
In case of bad weather, narrow time constraints or other emergency situations, the organiser can decide to hold only 15 throws instead of 21.
The points are summed up per event. Additionally, for informative purposes the fraction of the achieved points divided by the maximum number of points achievable in this event will be given in percent.
Long distance:
Same rules for knives and axes.
The target is a circle with a diameter of 1m.
The goal is to achieve a stick in this circle from the farthest distance.
The minimum distance to the target is 7m. You place yourself at a distance, from there you have 3 throws (no test throw) to make your tool stick, the circle must at least be cut. If you succeed, you can move back to another distance, and have 3 more tries. This finishes when you can not stick, the last achieved distance counts (measures in cm).
Sports Equipment
Knives: Only knives with a rigid blade, longer than 23cm and with a blade narrower than 6cm.
Axes: Minimum weight 290g, maximum breadth of the blade 12cm.
Counting
The tool will be counted exactly as it is sticking in the target, it will not be redressed perpendicular to the target.
The best ring that is cut will be counted (in doubt, pull out the blade to verify the cut).
Safety / Organisation
A first-aid kit must be available on site.
The rectangular area 10m in front of and 3m to both sides of the targets is roped off, only contestants and arbiters are allowed here. It is forbidden to stay behind the targets.
There is a miminum distance of 6m between the targets.
Participants under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The main referee is always right. If you do not observe the rules, especially those meant for security, you will be disqualified and sent off the place.
Every participant has to have a third party liability insurance.
Every participants has to sign that he accepts the rules, and that he takes part at his own risk.
Name of these Standard Rules
These rules are called „European Knife and Axe Throwing Rules“.
The official rule document is in English language, translations are provided for convenience only.
Comments
The following comments are not part of the standard, but help in creating a uniform throwing experience and explain some rules:
Colouring of the targets: black bullseye, then white/red/white/red rings.
Heights of the targets (measured from bullseye to ground): 1,30m up to 1,60m.
Third party liability insurance (comment): Every participant has to have such a personal insurance, which pays on his behalf if he unintentionally damages property or hurts persons, for example. It is not the responsibility of the organiser to provide such an insurance.
