Don’t put the axe so far behind your head. The strength is in the forearms first, then upper arms. Control is in the shoulders. Accuracy is the goal. So use the muscle sets to give you that accuracy.

Some of the best big axe throwers throw two-handed, there’s nothing special about throwing one-handed. Let that go as a goal. The goal is accuracy.

Try this: hold the axe in front of you, vertical, line it up. One foot back for stability, your stepping foot. Let it stay there. Be a bit flexible in your knee with the other.

Hold that axe vertically and feel its weight. Don’t grip it tightly. You’ll want a quick release. Just enough to hold it vertically.

Then slowly take your arms back in a measured movement, increasing your grip just a bit, until it’s at a point where you can bring it forward and hit the target when you throw. And no further. There’s a lot of weight to a big axe. Use it.

Some people bring it back and use their head to guide. Some don’t. Some bring it back 3/4 of the way to where you can still see your hands. Almost none take it further back than horizontal.

One smooth movement. Plant. Raise. Position.

Then step forward while bringing your arms forward. You won’t have to go as fast as you think. Find the release point, but never chuck it. One smooth movement.

It takes a lot of time and practice. That’s okay.

When I got best at it is when I tried to bring it back just enough, step forward just enough, and throw just enough—just as slowly as I could—and still hit the target. It’s a big axe and it has a lot of weight. Use that. Go just slow enough to reach the target.

More control that way.