IATF arenas have 4 throwing lines:
1. The solid Red Foot Fault line
2. The solid Black Hatchet throwing line
3. The dotted, thin Blue Big Axe throwing line
4. The solid Yellow Perimeter line
These lines must be painted on the grounds of all IATF members venues to ensure throwing distances and safety regulations are properly followed.
1. The Red Line
The Red Foot Fault line serves as a safety mechanism to ensure players remain a minimum distance from target while throwing.
1. The thrower must remain behind the red line until both throwers have completed their throw.
2. The edge of the red line nearest the target is measured at 110" (279.5 cm) from the subframe of the target, as if the subframe reached all the way to the ground.
3. The red line must be 6" (15 cm) thick to be clearly visible to throwers and painted across the entire width of the throwing arena.
2. The Black Line
The Black Hatchet throwing line is where players will throw their hatchet from. This line is also the foot fault line when throwing Big Axe.
1. When a thrower prepares for their throw, their back foot must begin completely behind the black line.
2. The edge of the black line nearest the target is measured at 170" (432 cm) from the subframe of the target, as if the subframe reached all the way to the ground.
3. The black line must be 10" (25.5 cm) thick and 52" (132 cm) in length from left to right.
4. The black line must be centered on the center of the bullseye.
1. This means that measured from the center of the black line there must be 26" (66 cm) on the left and 26" (66 cm) on the right, split evenly from the center of the bullseye.
3. The Blue Line
The Blue Big Axe throwing line is where players will throw their Big Axe from.
1. When a thrower prepares for their throw, their back foot must begin completely behind the blue line.
2. The edge of the blue line nearest the target is measured at 220" (559 cm) from the subframe of the target, as if the subframe reached all the way to the ground.
3. The blue line must be 2" (5 cm) thick and is 52" (132 cm) in length from the left to right.
1. This means that measured from the center of the blue line there should be 26" (66 cm) on the left and 26" (66 cm) on the right, split evenly from the center of the bullseye.
4. The blue line should be dotted to illustrate it is not always in use.
4. The Yellow Line
The Yellow Perimeter line is a visual separation between throwers and spectators.
1. The distance of the yellow line may vary by a few inches venue to venue, as it is not related to the mechanics of throwing an axe, but is an important representation of where the throwing arena begins.
2. People not competing in the current match are not to cross the yellow line.
The following diagram represents a bird’s eye view of a single axe throwing lane, with all the lines painted on the ground. All measurements are taken from the back of the plywood backboard as if it reached all the way to the ground.
