IATF arenas have 4 throwing lines:
1. The solid Red Fault line
2. The solid Black standard 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
1. The red foot fault line serves as a safety mechanism to ensure players remain a minimum distance from target while throwing
1. The player must remain behind this line until both throwers have completed their throw.
2. The front of the red line is measured at 110” from the subframe of the target, as if the face boards reached all the way to the ground:
1. The fault line must be a minimum of 6” thick to be clearly visible to throwers and painted across the entire length of a throwing arena.
2. The Black Line
1. The black line is where players will throw their standard throwing axe from:
1. When a thrower prepares for their throw, their back foot must begin completely behind the black line.
1. The front of the black line is measured at 170” from the subframe of the target, as if the face boards reached all the way to the ground:
1. It must be painted 10” thick and is 52” in length from left to right;
2. The black line must be centred with the centre of the bullseye:
1. This means that measured from the centre of the black line there should be 26” on the left and 26” on the right to be split evenly from the centre of the bullseye.
3. This line also doubles as the big axe foot fault line.
3. The Blue Line
1. The blue line is the starting point for players to throw Big Axe:
1. When a thrower prepares for their throw, their back foot must begin completely behind the blue line.
1. The front of the blue line is measured at 220” from the subframe of the target, as if the face boards reached all the way to the ground:
1. It must be painted 2” thick and is 52” in length from the left to right:
1. This means that measured from the centre of the black line there should be 26” on the left and 26” on the right if it is split evenly from the centre of the bullseye.
2. The line should be dotted to illustrate it is not always in use.
4. The Yellow Line (Perimeter Line)
1. The Yellow line is the visual separation of 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. If you are not in the lanes competing, you 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.
