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League Play:
Policies & Procedures

INDEX

Code of Conduct

Sportsmanship

Safety

♠ Axes
♠ Injury
♠ Throwing
♠ Target Quality

Gameplay Rules

♠ Warm Up Throws
♠ Game Play
♠ Pauses in Play
♠ Throwing in a Wheelchair
♠ Playoffs

Scoring

♠ Scoring of the Axe
♠ Killshot
♠ Sudden Death

 

Attendance

♠ Late Players / Early Departures
♠ Tournament / Playoff Arrival
♠ Absences

Discipline

♠ Misconduct
♠ Cheating

Procedures & Specifications

♠ Lanes
♠ Scoring of the Axe
♠ Axe Regulations
♠ Broken Axes

Judges

League Information

♠ Teams
♠ Fees
♠ Prizes
♠ Spectators & Children

 

CODE OF CONDUCT

The mission of Last Frontier Axe Co. League Night is to promote competition through sportsmanship and fair play. Our leagues/events should be played in a sportsmanship-like manner. Although competition may become intense, we expect our participants to maintain a high degree of sportsmanship up to and after the final throw. As a participant in any Last Frontier Axe Co. event, you must pledge to:

Respect the game, play fairly, and follow all rules and policies. Accept & respect the decisions of officials. Demonstrate good sportsmanship before, during, and after games, win or lose. Be responsible for the sportsmanship of teammates and assist in maintaining a respectful environment for all participants. Be courteous to opposing players, teams, officials, spectators, monitors, or facilitators and treat all players and officials with respect. Help to maintain and keep all equipment and conditions at the facility in good condition. Obey all facility rules, while respecting all equipment, common areas, playing areas, parking areas, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Refrain from the use of abusive language or profanity (including but not limited to: contemptuous, discriminatory or derogatory words or actions concerning race, colour, language, religion, gender, or sexual orientation). Not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well being of any player, official staff member, or spectator.

Not engage in verbal, written, or physical threats or abuse aimed at any participant, official, staff member, or spectator. Not initiate a fight or exchange with any individual (including but not limited to: pushing, shoving, punching, kicking, verbal threats or harassment).

Not use alcoholic beverages at any location unless permitted by the facility/venue. Not allow, use or encourage illegal drugs.

Under no circumstances are live targets allowed. No thrower is to throw an axe at a target while there is a person or live object in between or in front of the thrower.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Sports are filled with judgment calls and, as a result, disputes between players, opponents, and staff may occur from time to time. However, it is important that participants respect and handle all disputes that may occur in a civilized manner. Non-throwers do not have the right to argue or challenge any calls made by the league judge or referee. Competitors under the age of 18 may name a representative to speak on their behalf. The representative is only able to challenge calls for the said competitor. Each representative is to be named before the start of the league/tournament. The representative is expected to follow all rules of play as if they were the competitor.

All decisions made by on-site officials or Last Frontier Axe Co. must be respected and obeyed. Any feedback regarding rules, players, officials, or staff members should be brought to the attention of a League President or Last Frontier Axe Co. employee. Any behavior deemed unacceptable by the house or official may result in a verbal warning, ejection, suspension, and/or expulsion as outlined below. Repeated Code of Conduct violations by the same player or team could result in an expulsion from the league without refunds. All Code of Conduct violations during and outside of matches will result in disciplinary measures.

Any intimidation, trash talk, abusive language, profanity, threats or general disrespect during league play towards any presiding Judge or Official will not be tolerated and will result in the immediate removal from the league or tournament. Last Frontier Axe Co. reserves the right to suspend the player or spectator in question for a minimum of 6 months.

SAFETY

AXES

The house will provide axes for league play. Players can bring their own axes, however, they must be approved by the house. Each and every axe is inspected by the Last Frontier Axe Co. prior to each league night to ensure the axe is up to standard. Broken axes may not be used. Participants are instructed to grip the axe by the handle and only the handle. If an axe breaks or if a player would like to switch axes, they must notify the presiding official or house employee.

All axes must be placed in the designated box between throws or while not in use. Axes must also stay in the throwing lanes inside of the designated boundary line.

INJURIES

If an injury occurs during league play and the player is deemed to be unable to finish the remaining matches by a judge then they may make up their matches the following league night with no penalty. This will not count towards the player’s right to miss 2 weeks. If there are throws remaining in the current match, then those scores are counted as zero if not made up prior to week 7.

THROWING

Axes shall never be thrown when a participant is picking up an axe from the target area or when a judge is in the lane. This will result in an immediate disqualification (counted as a loss with no points) for that match. When throwing, feet must be behind the 12ft line. Should a player step past the 12ft line, it will be counted as a foul and no points will be awarded.

When throwing, the blades of the axe must always be facing the target prior to throw (butt of the axe may not face the target). Players can throw single handed, double handed, over handed or under handed.

TARGET QUALITY

Targets should be relatively new and of sound quality prior to league commencement. When targets deteriorate to a point where excessive movement or ‘wiggling’ of the axes occur when they land in the damaged area causing or risking good throws to fall out, the boards should be switched out to ensure fair play. If a large piece of wood or chunk falls out during play, the player may request to have the board changed but the ultimate decision will fall on the axe throwing referee (judge). Requests for board changes must be made before a game begins.

Targets will be sprayed with water from a spray bottle prior to the start of league play. If boards are continually hard, league members may request to have more water sprayed on the boards. No one other than the official judge may alter the boards before, during, or after any match unless authorized by the presiding official. This includes pulling out pieces of boards, chopping or softening the board with their axe, watering the boards, etc.

GAMEPLAY RULES

WARM-UP THROWS

Players may have up to 5 practice throws prior to their first match.
Players may have 1 practice throw prior to any subsequent match.
Players are not allowed additional practice in empty lanes between matches.

GAME PLAY

Minimum age: 10 years. No wearing of earphones while throwing. There will be 8 weeks in league play, where every participant will play 4 matches per week night. Each match is played against different opponents, selected at random and consists of the following: 10 throws per match. In each match, players will take 5 throws then switch sides.

This ensures fair play when there’s varying density in wood. The winner of the match will be the person with the most points after 10 throws. In the event of a tie after 10 throws, there will be sudden death (sudden death points do not count to overall score, just an individual win).

After 7 weeks, the 8th and final week of the season will be the playoffs and final match to determine the season’s Local Champion. See Playoffs section for details. Players may only compete at the venue and league they are registered for. There will be no scores recorded outside of that league or venue for their single registered league. For example, a player may not compete in week 2 of league at venue A, then compete in week 3 for that same league in venue B.

PAUSES IN PLAY

A presiding official may call a pause in play for any reason deemed necessary (rules review, confirmation, second opinion, etc.). Should a pause in play occur, all match play must cease immediately and will resume at the discretion of the presiding official, where the pause began.

For example: If one player has thrown but the opposite player has not and there is a pause in play called, the match will resume with the opposite player throwing as normal. Players may be able to challenge a call or ruling which will create a pause in play. During this call, game play will be paused at that moment in time.

THROWING IN A WHEELCHAIR

Individuals in wheelchairs must have one wheel behind the 12ft line when throwing in competition play. Any wheel on the wheelchair is acceptable as long as one of them is behind the 12ft line.

PLAYOFFS

During the 8th week playoff tournament, the top 16 players will participate in a single elimination, “Best 2 out of 3” bracket. Seeding is based on the total points scored from weeks 1 through 7. In the case of a tie for points scored, the seeding will be based on the total games won during weeks 1-7 between the tied players. All competitors eligible for playoffs will be put into one bracket. 

SCORING

SCORING OF THE AXE

An axe’s score is determined as the axe rests in the target and should not be removed to determine the score. If there is no visible eye of the axe in the top of the axe head then it counts as where the handle would meet if going straight through. To be determined by the official presiding over the match.

Axes must break the plain of the black line in order to count for the higher value.

If the axe falls out of the target before the axe scored and retrieved, the axe is counted as a drop.

Updated Target:

 

 

                                                                                                    6 points for the Bullseye                                                                                                                                                                                                        5 points for the 1st ring                                                                                                      4 points for the 2nd ring
3 points for the 3rd ring
2 points for the 4th ring
1 point for the 5th ring
8 points for the Killshot (Blue dots)

KILLSHOT

The call must be made to the Judge before either opponent throws. This is referred to as “calling the Killshot” and activates it for the full 8 points. The player cannot change their call (Killshot or non-Killshot) once a Judge confirms, for that specific throw. If the player does not indicate that they are making a Killshot attempt, the judge will assume it will be a standard throw. Players are allowed 2 Killshot attempts per match, on throw 5 and throw 10. Players do not have to call right or left Killshot, either one is open for play. Players may start their OT throws utilizing either Killshot, and do not need to announce Killshots in overtime as points do not count, just the win.

SUDDEN DEATH (TIE/OVERTIME)

In the event of a tie after 10 throws in a single match, the match enters into sudden death. Points are not counted or tallied during sudden death. Players will remain at their respective targets for sudden death throws (no switching of targets required). If the match is still tied after the first throw, players will continue to throw until one player gets a higher score than the other.

ATTENDANCE

LATE PLAYERS AND/OR EARLY DEPARTURES

Players are allowed to arrive up to 15 minutes late, after official league start time. Teams should start league night with a member present so there are no further delays in game play. Should a player leave the league night early, the player that was scheduled to go against the one who is now absent will be granted an automatic win, but will perform 10 throws and have their points recorded. The late player will automatically receive a loss and a zero for all throws (unless it is a planned absence). Exceptions are allowed with consent of opposing players affected that day and approval from official.

TOURNAMENT/PLAYOFF EXCEPTION

Players are required to arrive to the playoffs at the start of regulation play. If a player is not present when their match begins, a 15-minute grace period will be offered. If the player does not show up, they will forfeit their match and the player that is present will be awarded the win. If the player arrives during their grace period, but is late for their next match, they will be immediately disqualified.

ABSENCES

Players are allowed to miss up to 2 days of regulation play during the season and make up their matches and throws in subsequent weeks: Players must make up any missed matches by week 7, otherwise, a loss will be attributed to their absence with a score of 0. If a player knows they’ll miss week 7 they must pre-throw any missed matches (up to 8 total for the season) before week 7 takes place. No missed matches and throws are to be performed during week 8 (playoffs) – the seven week mark is the cut-off.

In order to miss a regulation league night, players are required to give a minimum 1 day notice to Last Frontier Axe Co. of their absence. League participants are able throw up to 1 week in advance or one week after their planned absence. If a player knows they will be absent for week 7, they must make up that day prior to regular week 7 league play. If a league participant misses 3 weeks or more of league play, they cannot participate in the playoffs.

DISCIPLINE

MISCONDUCT

Purposeful distractions are defined as, but not limited to: excessive celebration, taunting, using abusive, threatening or insulting language, trash talking, stepping in the lane during a throw, excessive noises, offensive gestures to opponents or any purposeful distractions with the intent to distract a player during a league match or tournament round will not be permitted during games.

First Offense:
The first purposeful distraction from an opposing player will result in a zero score for that throw, for the player causing the distraction. The first purposeful distraction from a spectating league member or tournament participant will result in a zero in their first throw of their next match. The first purposeful distraction from a spectator not participating in leagues or tournament will result in the immediate removal from the facility.

If the first purposeful distraction is a gross violation, intended to either save the player from a loss, intimidate the opposing player, or be an act of aggression against the opposing player or judge, that the player causing the purposeful distraction to be removed from the tournament, league and/or facility.

Second Offense:
The second purposeful distraction from an opposing player will result in a forfeit for that match. Zero scores will be entered for the full match. The second purposeful distraction from a spectating league member or tournament participant will result in a forfeit from their subsequent match. Zero scores will be entered for the full match.

Third Offense:
The third purposeful distraction from an opposing player will result in a forfeit of the season for league play or forfeit from the tournament. The player will not be allowed to throw for the remainder of the season or remainder of tournament. The third purposeful distraction from a spectating league member will result in a forfeit of the season or tournament. The league member or tournament participant will not be allowed to spectate or participate for the remainder of the season or tournament.

* Individual fees are still required. If not paid, the individual will not be permited to join another league at Last Frontier Axe Co.

CHEATING

If any player is found to fix a match to achieve a desired score outcome during league play, then that player or team will be banned from all Last Frontier Axe Co. leagues.

PROCEDURES & SPECIFICATIONS

Lanes

Each throwing area is designated as a throwing lane. A regulation lane for competition must contain 2 targets. Fences or walls block this area from the rest of the facility to keep throwers and axes all contained in a safe environment. Only the two participating throwers and the axe throwing judge are allowed inside the lane at one time. This includes ensuring the area behind the throwers is clear.

Scoring Area of Axe

The axe head, blade and cheek up to the front of the eye but not past it. If there is no visible eye of the axe in the top of the axe head then it counts where the handle would meet if going straight through. To be determined by the official presiding over the match. The blade (or bit) of the axe may be not longer than 4 inches. This is to be measured from tip to tip in a straight line.

Axe Regulations

Handle maximum length can be no more than 19in/48.26cm from the bottom of the handle to the top of the axe head. Axes that are not a one-piece, full metal axe, must have the axe head be one solid piece around the handle with no gaps. Maximum weight of an axe: Axe Total = 3 lbs/1.36 kg.

Broken Axe

If the judge determines that a thrower’s axe has broken during a match in a significant way, the house will provide a replacement axe that has been verified and approved by the House. The thrower is allowed 1 practice throw with the new axe before continuing the match. This will only apply if their original axe is declared broken by the presiding official.

JUDGES

A scoring official, known as a Judge, will be present while members are throwing during league play. Judges will verify points while axe is still in target during league play. A 5ft radius should be maintained around every participant holding an axe, however, the judge may approach the participants and enter this 5ft radius to provide instruction. Affiliate/Judge/presiding official are forbidden from cheating of any kind. Any caught cheating in any way such as but not limited to, falsifying data, making biased calls in a match, etc., will then result in a one year ban from hosting any house sanctioned events including leagues, tournaments, etc.

Under no circumstances, are judges allowed to accept advice or consultation from any active thrower in a match. Judges are only allowed to take advice or guidance directly from a hosting venue’s owners, tournament runners, or a Last Frontier Axe Co. employed official. Judges found to be heeding the advice of throwers will be asked to concede their lane immediately.

Any throwers found to be persuading or advising an official judge will be disqualified immediately and undergo a review of their eligibility for competing the remainder of the league or tournament. Any intimidation, trash talk, abusive language, profanity, threats or general disrespect during any league or tournament towards any judge will not be tolerated and will result in the immediate removal from the league or tournament.

LEAGUE INFORMATION

Regular Season

The entire season lasts 8 weeks including playoffs.

There are 7 weeks where players can work on their season, allowing for 280 throws total (10 throws per match, 4 matches per league night for 7 weeks = 280 throws).

These 280 throws officially contribute to each player’s season standings.

Reminder that OT/Sudden Death throws DO NOT count for points, only winning a match.

Teams

There will be no more than 8 teams with 4 players each, totaling 32 players.

Fees

League registration fee $40 per person.
Registration fee to be paid in full when signing up, there will be no holds on spots.

$20 Per Person Per Week
All individual fees must be paid in full before throwing on week 7. (with the exception of playoffs as week 7 will determine the top 16 players)

 Weekly fees may be waived if Axe House Membership is purchased for both months of league season or annual membership is purchased.

 

League members are required to pay for all individual fees for the 7 weeks of league play or risk being barred from future seasons.

Prizes

League Champion – $300.00 and Champions Trophy

Runner Up – $150.00

Most Bullseyes [Regular Season] – $50.00 and Trophy

Most Killshots [Regular Season] – $50.00 and Trophy

 

1st Place Team [Regular Season Points Total] – $200.00 [$50.00 ea.]

 

Spectators and Children

While we encourage you to cheer on your fellow teammates and league members, we ask that you keep spectators and guests to a minimum. We are a family friendly venue and league competition is open to anyone 10 years and older, we do ask that you leave younger children at home during league nights, so as not to interfere or impede league play. To include distracting, disrupting or otherwise hindering participants during league play. Anyone (including participants) under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and must be supervised at all times. If spectators, family members or young children are a cause for distraction, the league member will be given a verbal warning. The second warning the spectator or guest will be asked to leave.

OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE WORLD AXE THROWING LEAGUE & World Knife Throwing League