The long distance throwing competition is a test of maximum range. The objective is to embed a throwing tool into a circular target of 1 meter in diameter from the greatest possible distance.
The competition is not scored by cumulative points. Only one result determines the final ranking: the farthest distance at which the competitor achieved at least one valid stick.
2Disciplines Covered
This rulebook applies to the following three long distance disciplines:
Long Distance Knife No-Spin
Tool
Throwing knife
Rotation
Maximum 170ยฐ
First sector
4 m โ 7 m
Sector width
3 m
Long Distance Knife Spin
Tool
Throwing knife
Rotation
More than 180ยฐ
First sector
7 m โ 10 m
Sector width
3 m
Long Distance Axe
Tool
Throwing axe
Rotation
No restriction
First sector
7 m โ 10 m
Sector width
3 m
3Definitions
Throwing Distance
The distance, measured to the nearest centimeter, from the face of the target to the competitor's front foot tiptoe at the moment of release. This value is the official distance of that throw. The competitor does not declare a distance in advance; the distance is determined by where the front foot tiptoe is placed at the moment of release.
Successful Stick
A throw in which the tool becomes embedded (fixed) in the wooden target and remains embedded until the judge inspects it. The tool's blade or cutting surface must touch or cross the 1-meter boundary line of the target, or be fully inside it. Touching the boundary line counts as being within the target. A tool embedded entirely outside the 1-meter circle does not count. A tool that hits the target and falls out before inspection does not count.
Sector
A 3-meter measurement zone in the throwing lane. Sectors are numbered consecutively from the minimum starting distance of the discipline. A competitor's throw is assigned to the sector in which their front foot tiptoe falls at the moment of release.
Sector Progression
The rule governing how far forward the competitor may move between throws. Every throw must be made from a distance strictly greater than the last successful stick distance. In addition, the competitor may not skip a sector: the sector of the next throw must be the same sector as the last successful stick, or the immediately adjacent (next farther) sector. Jumping two or more sectors ahead in a single step is not permitted. Within those constraints, the competitor may freely choose any distance for each individual throw โ including a distance shorter than a previous failed throw in the same set, provided it still exceeds the last successful stick distance.
Available Throws
The number of throws the competitor is permitted to make before the competition ends. The competition begins with 3 available throws. Each successful stick resets the available throws to 3. Each throw that does not result in a successful stick reduces the available throws by 1. When available throws reach zero, the competition ends.
Last Successful Distance
The throwing distance of the competitor's most recent successful stick. All subsequent throws must be made from a strictly greater throwing distance than the last successful distance.
Longest Successful Distance
The greatest throwing distance at which the competitor achieved a successful stick during the entire competition. This is the only value used for final ranking.
Trial Throw
A practice or warm-up throw made before or during the competition for calibration purposes. Trial throws are prohibited. Every throw made from within the throwing area counts as one of the available throws.
4General Requirements
4.1 Safety
Knives and axes must not be sharpened.
Closed shoes are mandatory. Sandals or similar footwear are prohibited.
Running with knives or axes in hand is prohibited.
Tools must always be thrown toward targets or the ground. Pointing in any other direction is prohibited.
Tools may be retrieved only when all competitors in the lane have completed their current set of available throws, unless the judge directs otherwise.
Any competitor judged to be impaired by alcohol or drugs may be removed from competition by the judge without warning.
4.2 Equipment โ Knives
Blade type: rigid (non-flexible).
Minimum overall length: 20 cm. Maximum overall length: 45 cm.
Maximum blade width: 6 cm.
Minimum weight: 170 g.
All knives used by one competitor must be identical.
The competitor must bring at least three knives to the throwing line.
Knives may be inspected and approved by the judge before or during the competition.
4.3 Equipment โ Axes
Minimum overall length: 25 cm (from the bottom of the handle to the top of the axe head).
Maximum cutting edge width: 12 cm (measured tip to tip in a straight line).
All axes used by one competitor must be identical.
The competitor must bring at least three axes to the throwing line.
Axes may be inspected and approved by the judge before or during the competition.
4.4 Target
Target shape: circular.
Target diameter: 1 meter (100 cm), marked by a visible boundary line.
Target material: wood.
Height from ground to center (bullseye): between 1.30 m and 1.50 m.
There are no scoring rings in long distance. The entire 1-meter circle is a single zone. Ranking is determined by distance, not by ring hit.
5Discipline-Specific Rules
5.1 Long Distance Knife No-Spin
Rotation restriction: The knife may rotate a maximum of 170 degrees from the moment of release to the moment of impact with the target. A throw in which the knife rotates more than 170 degrees before impact is invalid, even if the knife sticks.
Starting sector: The first throw must be made from within the sector 4 m โ 7 m. The competitor positions their front tiptoe anywhere within this range for the first throw.
5.2 Long Distance Knife Spin
Rotation restriction: The knife must rotate more than 180 degrees from the moment of release to the moment of impact. A throw in which the knife rotates 180 degrees or fewer is a no-spin throw and is invalid in this discipline, even if the knife sticks.
Starting sector: The first throw must be made from within the sector 7 m โ 10 m.
5.3 Long Distance Axe
Rotation restriction: None. There is no rotation restriction for the long distance axe discipline. The axe may rotate any number of degrees before impact.
Starting sector: The first throw must be made from within the sector 7 m โ 10 m.
5.4 Sector Map
Sector #
Range
Knife No-Spin
Knife Spin
Axe
1
4 โ 7 m
START
โ
โ
2
7 โ 10 m
โ
START
START
3
10 โ 13 m
โ
โ
โ
4
13 โ 16 m
โ
โ
โ
5
16 โ 19 m
โ
โ
โ
6
19 โ 22 m
โ
โ
โ
7
22 โ 25 m
โ
โ
โ
8
25 โ 28 m
โ
โ
โ
โฆ
+3 m each
โ
โ
โ
6Competition Procedure โ Step by Step
Equipment check. The judge may inspect the competitor's tools before the competition begins. The competitor must bring at least three compliant, identical tools to the throwing line.
Begin with 3 available throws. The competition starts with exactly 3 available throws. Trial throws are not allowed. Every throw made from the throwing area counts as one of the available throws.
Position and throw. The competitor positions their front foot tiptoe at any valid throwing distance and releases the tool. The throwing distance of that throw is the distance from the target face to the front foot tiptoe at the moment of release.
The position is valid if both of the following are satisfied:
the front foot tiptoe is strictly farther from the target than the last successful stick distance (or within the first allowed sector for the very first throw of the competition), and
the front foot tiptoe's sector is the same as the last successful sector, or the immediately next sector โ no sector may be skipped.
Outcome A โ successful stick. If the throw results in a successful stick, the judge confirms the result and measures the distance to the nearest centimeter. The available throws reset to 3. The competitor retrieves the tools and continues from step 3. The minimum valid distance for all future throws is now strictly greater than this measured distance.
Outcome B โ failed throw. If the throw does not result in a successful stick, the available throws decrease by 1. If any available throws remain, the competitor continues from step 3. The competitor may change their throwing distance for the next throw, provided the new position is still valid (strictly farther than the last successful distance, within the allowed sector).
Competition ends. When available throws reach zero without a successful stick, the competition ends immediately. The competitor may not make any additional throw. The longest successful distance achieved up to this point is the competitor's final result.
No result. If the competition ends without any successful stick having been achieved at any distance, the competitor is recorded as having achieved no valid distance.
Key consequence โ multiple sticks in one sector: Because every successful stick resets available throws to 3, a competitor may achieve multiple successful sticks within the same sector before advancing. For example, a competitor may stick at 8.10 m, then at 8.50 m, then at 9.20 m โ all within the same sector โ each time receiving 3 fresh throws. There is no requirement to advance to the next sector after each stick.
Key consequence โ changing distance between throws: Within a set of available throws, the competitor may choose a different throwing distance for each individual throw. The only constraints are that each throw must be strictly farther than the last successful stick distance and must not skip a sector. A competitor may, for example, throw from 12.00 m (miss), then from 9.70 m (still valid if last stick was at 9.50 m), then from 11.30 m โ all in the same set of 3 throws โ provided all three distances exceed the last successful stick distance and no sector is skipped.
Key consequence โ floor set by last successful distance: No throw may be made from a distance equal to or less than the last successful stick distance. This is the only backward-movement restriction. A competitor who threw from 16.00 m and missed may still throw their next attempt from, say, 14.50 m, as long as 14.50 m exceeds the last successful stick distance.
6.1 Sector Progression โ Detailed Explanation
The throwing area is divided into consecutive 3-meter sectors. The sector of a throw is determined by where the competitor's front foot tiptoe falls at the moment of release.
"Cannot skip a sector" means: if the last successful stick was in Sector N, the next throw must be from Sector N or Sector N+1. A throw from Sector N+2 or farther is not permitted directly โ the competitor must first achieve a successful stick in Sector N+1.
The competitor may remain in the same sector after a successful stick. There is no obligation to advance to the next sector after each stick. The competitor may throw again from any distance within Sector N that is strictly greater than the last successful stick distance, for as many sets of throws as desired.
The competitor may go back within their available throws. Within a current set of throws, the competitor may place their front tiptoe at any valid distance โ including a distance shorter than a previous throw in the same set โ as long as it remains strictly greater than the last successful stick distance and does not skip a sector. Example: last stick at 9.50 m โ throw from 12.20 m (miss) โ next throw from 9.70 m is valid (9.70 m > 9.50 m, and Sector 2 is the last successful sector).
Foot position: The front foot tiptoe is the sole reference point for throwing distance and sector assignment. The rear foot position is not subject to any restriction.
7Measurement Rules
The distance is measured after a successful stick is confirmed by the judge.
Measurement is taken from the face of the target to the competitor's front foot tiptoe at the time of measurement. If the competitor has stepped forward toward the target after releasing the tool, the measurement is taken from the stepped-to position, which will be a shorter distance.
The distance is recorded to the nearest centimeter.
Measurement takes place before the competitor retrieves the tools.
If more than one tool sticks in the same set of throws at the same or different distances, each stick produces its own measurement at the time it occurs. The longest of those distances becomes the longest successful distance for ranking.
If the competitor believes the measurement was taken incorrectly, they may request a re-measurement before the tools are retrieved. The judge decides whether to re-measure. Once tools have been retrieved, no re-measurement of that throw is accepted.
8Validity and Invalidity Rules
8.1 Valid Successful Stick
A throw counts as a successful stick if and only if all of the following conditions are met:
The tool is embedded (fixed) in the wooden target at the moment of judge inspection.
The tool remains embedded until the judge has examined it and confirmed the result.
The tool's blade (for a knife) or cutting head (for an axe) touches the 1-meter boundary line or is positioned inside it. A tool that touches the boundary line is considered to be within the target.
The throw complied with the applicable rotation restriction for the discipline (if any).
8.2 Invalid Throw
A throw does not count as a successful stick if:
The tool hits the target and falls out before judge inspection.
The tool rests against the target surface without being embedded.
The tool is embedded entirely outside the 1-meter circle (blade or head does not touch or cross the boundary line).
In Knife No-Spin: the knife rotated more than 170 degrees before impact.
In Knife Spin: the knife rotated 180 degrees or fewer before impact.
The tool is embedded by its handle only (the blade or cutting head is not the embedded part).
An invalid throw still counts as one of the available throws. It reduces the available throw count by 1.
8.3 Foot Position
The competitor's front foot tiptoe must be within the permitted sector range for that throw. The rear foot position is not subject to any restriction.
The competitor may step forward (toward the target) after releasing the tool. However, if the competitor steps forward before the judge has measured the distance, the official throwing distance is measured from the front foot tiptoe's position at the time of measurement โ which will be shorter than the release-moment position. Stepping forward therefore reduces the officially recorded distance.
9Ranking Rules
Competitors are ranked solely by their longest successful distance.
There are no cumulative points. Distance is the only criterion.
The competitor with the greatest longest successful distance ranks first.
Medal categories are awarded regardless of the number of competitors.
Tie-break: The official rules do not define a tie-break procedure for long distance events. If two or more competitors achieve the same longest successful distance, they are recorded as tied and share the same rank. The organizing body may announce a specific tie-break procedure in the event information published before the competition; absent such an announcement, tied competitors share the rank.
10Judge Decision Rules
The judge is the sole arbiter of whether a throw is a valid successful stick.
The judge's determination of whether a tool is embedded or merely resting is final.
In case of disagreement between a competitor and the judge, a referee shall be called. The referee's decision is final and irrevocable.
The judge determines whether the rotation restriction has been violated. When the rotation is genuinely ambiguous and cannot be clearly determined, the benefit of the doubt goes to the competitor.
No protest regarding stick validity or distance measurement is accepted after the competitor has retrieved the tools and moved on to the next throw.
11Worked Examples
Example A โ First Throw Failure with No Prior Stick (Knife No-Spin)
A competitor places their front tiptoe at 5.20 m for their first throw and misses. Then misses at 5.50 m. Then misses at 6.10 m. All three available throws are exhausted.
Result: Competition ends. No distance recorded.
All three available throws were exhausted without a single successful stick. The competition terminates immediately. The competitor achieved no valid distance and no result is recorded.
Example B โ Success and Sector Progression (Knife Spin)
A competitor in Knife Spin achieves a successful stick with their front tiptoe at 8.35 m (Sector 1: 7โ10 m). Which throwing distances are allowed for subsequent throws?
Allowed: any distance strictly greater than 8.35 m that does not skip Sector 1.
The last successful sector is Sector 1 (7โ10 m). The next allowed sector is Sector 2 (10โ13 m). The competitor may place their front tiptoe anywhere from 8.36 m up to and including 13.00 m.
They may stay in Sector 1 (e.g., throw from 9.40 m), or they may advance to Sector 2 (e.g., throw from 11.50 m). They may not throw from Sector 3 (13โ16 m) or beyond without first having a successful stick somewhere in Sector 2.
Not allowed: any distance โค 8.35 m (closer than or equal to last stick); any distance in Sector 3 (13.01 m or beyond) without having first stuck in Sector 2.
Example C โ Small Advance Within the Same Sector
A competitor sticks at 10.90 m (Sector 3: 10โ13 m). Their next throw is placed at 12.10 m.
Allowed.
12.10 m is strictly farther than 10.90 m and remains within Sector 3 (10โ13 m). The competitor is not required to advance to the next sector. Staying within the same sector is always permitted provided the new distance exceeds the last successful distance.
Example D โ Advancing More Than One Sector (Not Allowed)
A competitor sticks at 8.00 m (Sector 1 for Knife Spin: 7โ10 m) and then places their front tiptoe at 13.50 m for the next throw.
Not allowed โ sector skipped.
8.00 m is in Sector 1 (7โ10 m). The immediately next sector is Sector 2 (10โ13 m). 13.50 m falls in Sector 3 (13โ16 m), which is two sectors ahead. The competitor has skipped Sector 2 entirely. This throw position is invalid. The competitor must place their front tiptoe in Sector 1 or Sector 2 (up to 13.00 m) for any throw following a stick at 8.00 m.
Example E โ Moving Back Between Throws in the Same Set
A competitor's last successful stick was at 9.50 m (Sector 2: 7โ10 m). With 3 available throws: throw 1 from 12.20 m (Sector 3) โ miss. The competitor now wishes to throw from 9.70 m (Sector 2) for throw 2.
Allowed.
9.70 m is strictly greater than the last successful stick distance (9.50 m). Sector 2 is the last successful sector, so throwing from Sector 2 does not skip any sector. The fact that the immediately preceding throw was from Sector 3 (12.20 m) is irrelevant โ there is no rule requiring the competitor to throw farther than a previous failed throw. The floor is set by the last successful stick distance, not by previous failed attempts.
Equally, 9.51 m would be the minimum valid distance for any throw in this situation. Any distance strictly greater than 9.50 m in Sector 2 or Sector 3 is valid.
Example F โ Multiple Sticks in One Set of Throws
A competitor's last stick was at 11.00 m. With 3 available throws: throw 1 from 12.10 m sticks, throw 2 (3 fresh throws) from 12.80 m sticks, throw 3 (3 fresh throws) from 13.50 m fails, throw 4 from 14.00 m fails, throw 5 from 14.30 m fails. What is the recorded result?
Longest successful distance: 12.80 m.
Each stick resets the available throws to 3. After the stick at 12.10 m, the competitor received 3 fresh throws and stuck again at 12.80 m (receiving another 3 throws). Of those 3, all failed (13.50 m, 14.00 m, 14.30 m). The competition ends. The longest successful distance is 12.80 m.
Example G โ Sector Boundary Position
A competitor places their front tiptoe exactly on the 10.00 m line, which is the boundary between Sector 2 (7โ10 m) and Sector 3 (10โ13 m). Is this valid, and how is progression determined afterward?
Valid. The distance is 10.00 m.
The competitor may stand with their front tiptoe precisely on a sector boundary. If the throw sticks, the recorded distance is 10.00 m. For subsequent throws, the competitor's last successful sector is treated as Sector 2/3 boundary, allowing throws up to and including 13.00 m (next sector: Sector 3). All subsequent throws must be strictly greater than 10.00 m.
Example H โ Front Foot and Rear Foot
A competitor's front foot tiptoe is at 10.20 m (in Sector 3: 10โ13 m). Their rear foot is naturally behind them, farther from the target than the front foot. The competitor's last successful stick was at 9.50 m (Sector 2: 7โ10 m). Is this throw valid?
Valid.
The throwing distance is determined solely by the front foot tiptoe position (10.20 m). The rear foot is always farther from the target than the front foot by definition; its position does not affect validity. 10.20 m is strictly greater than the last successful distance (9.50 m) and is in Sector 3, which is the immediately next sector after Sector 2. The throw is valid.
Example I โ Knife No-Spin Rotation Exceeded
In Knife No-Spin, a competitor's throw rotates approximately 200 degrees before impact and the knife sticks in the target. The judge observes the excess rotation.
Invalid โ rotation exceeded 170ยฐ.
The Knife No-Spin restriction limits rotation to a maximum of 170 degrees. The knife's rotation of 200 degrees violates this rule. The throw does not count as a successful stick, even though the knife is embedded. The throw counts as one used available throw. Available throws are reduced by 1.
Example J โ Knife Spin Rotation Insufficient
In Knife Spin, a competitor's throw rotates approximately 150 degrees before impact and the knife sticks in the target. The judge observes the insufficient rotation.
Invalid โ rotation did not exceed 180ยฐ.
The Knife Spin restriction requires rotation of more than 180 degrees. A rotation of 150 degrees is a no-spin throw and is invalid in this discipline. The knife is embedded, but the throw does not count as a successful stick. The throw consumes one available throw.
Example K โ Tie in Final Distance
Two competitors both achieve a longest successful distance of 15.40 m in Long Distance Axe. How are they ranked?
Tied โ share the same rank.
The rules do not define a tie-break procedure. Both competitors are awarded the same rank and any associated medal category. If the organizer announced a specific tie-break procedure in advance of the competition, that procedure applies. Otherwise, the tie stands.
12Edge Cases and Rulings
Competitor sticks on the first throw of a set and misses the next two.
The stick on the first throw resets available throws to 3. The "next two" throws referred to here are not throwbacks from the original set โ after the stick, the competitor has 3 fresh throws. Those 3 fresh throws may be used from any valid distance. If all 3 fail, the competition ends. The successful distance from the first throw is the recorded result.
Competitor sticks on what would have been the third and last throw of a set.
The order within the set in which the stick occurs is irrelevant. A stick at any point โ first, second, or third throw โ resets available throws to 3. The competition continues normally.
A tool hits the target and falls out before the judge inspects it.
The tool must be fixed at the time of judge inspection. A tool that falls out before inspection does not count as a successful stick. The throw counts as one used available throw.
A tool is embedded entirely outside the 1-meter circle.
If the blade or cutting head does not touch or cross the 1-meter boundary line, the throw does not count as a successful stick. The tool may be firmly embedded in the backing material, but if it is fully outside the circle, it is an invalid result. The throw consumes one available throw.
A tool's blade contacts the boundary line of the 1-meter circle.
Touching the boundary line counts as being within the target. The throw counts as a successful stick, provided all other validity conditions are met.
A competitor changes tools mid-competition.
If a tool is damaged or lost during competition, the competitor may replace it with an identical spare tool, subject to judge approval. The replacement must meet all equipment requirements. Any successful throws achieved before the replacement stand. A competitor may not change tools solely to use a different design; all tools used throughout the competition must be identical.
A tool is found to be non-compliant after the competition has started.
The judge shall instruct the competitor to replace the non-compliant tool immediately. Results achieved with the non-compliant tool before the judge's ruling are not retroactively invalidated. If no compliant tool is available, the judge may allow the competition to continue with fewer than three tools or may end the competition.
A judge and competitor disagree on whether a stick was valid.
The judge's ruling stands. The competitor may request a second judge (referee) before the tools are retrieved. The referee's decision is final and irrevocable. No further escalation is available.
Rotation angle is borderline and the judge cannot determine it clearly.
When the rotation genuinely cannot be determined as clearly within or clearly outside the permitted range, the benefit of the doubt is given to the competitor. The throw is ruled valid. This principle applies only when the determination is genuinely impossible, not when the rotation is visibly on one side of the limit.
Competitor places front tiptoe at exactly the last successful distance, or closer.
Any throw from a distance equal to or shorter than the last successful stick distance is invalid. The judge shall instruct the competitor to reposition before releasing. If the throw has already been released from the invalid position, the throw is ruled invalid and counts as one used available throw. Note: throwing from a distance shorter than a previous failed throw (but still farther than the last successful stick) is fully permitted.