Before the doors: boards, axes, cages and floor markings
Every day starts before the first customer walks in. The open checklist for each lane covers four essentials: boards, axes, cages, and floor markings. Setting the right tone at the start of the shift keeps the venue safe and ready for any group, from first-timers to league regulars.
Start with the boards. Walk the length of the lane and check for deep grooves, splinters, or missing chunks. If a board is loose or the end grain is flaking, note it. Visually inspect mounting bolts or screws. Boards must be flush and secure, with no exposed fasteners.
Move to axes next. Each axe must be checked for a secure head, handle cracks, and tight wedges. Set aside any that need repair or inspection. Place sharp axes blade-down in their holders or racks, away from guest access until actively issued by a coach.
Cages come third. Walk the cage perimeter and check for gaps at seams, loose mesh, or bent metal. Run your hand, carefully, along the bottom rail and where the cage meets the floor. There should be no space big enough for a hand or foot to slip through. Look for sharp edges or exposed wire ends.
Last, check floor markings. Lane lines, no-step zones, and retrieval paths must be visible and unbroken. Tape should not be peeling. If you use paint, touch up faded areas weekly. Proper markings support safe lane flow and reinforce coach instructions.
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Reading an end grain target board: when to rotate, flip or replace
End grain boards last longer than softwood, but only with proper rotation and maintenance. Each morning, read the boards from top to bottom and left to right. Look for mushrooming, loose fibers, or spots where axes bounce instead of sticking. These are signs of fiber exhaustion and dryout.
Rotation
If the bullseye area is deeply worn but corners are fresh, it is time to rotate the board. Most systems use a set of lag screws or wingnuts holding the target in place. Loosen, rotate one quarter turn, and retighten. This moves the high-traffic zone to a less-used area. Rotate boards weekly, or more often in busy venues.
Flipping
If both faces show heavy use but the sides are still solid, flip the board. This is usually a two-person job. Remove, turn over, and reinstall. Flipping doubles board life and keeps bounce-outs to a minimum.
Replacement
Replace boards if chipping has exposed screw heads, if the board flexes under hand pressure, or if the grain is so dry that axes no longer stick. Keep a marked date log for each board's installation, rotation, and replacement. Most venues use color-coded stickers or a laminated log sheet for this.
Axe inspection: heads, wedges, handles and the retire pile
No axe should reach a customer without a daily check. This is both a safety rule and a condition of most insurance policies. Coaches should know the difference between a usable tool and one ready for retirement.
Head and Wedge
Hold the axe by the handle and tap the head with a mallet. If it rattles or shifts, the wedge is loose. Check for hairline cracks in the eye or wedge itself. Never issue an axe with a loose head, set it aside for repair.
Handle
Run your fingers along the handle, feeling for splits, deep dents, or soft spots. Minor scratches can be sanded, but any sign of cracking means the handle goes to the retire pile. Check the butt end for splintering or missing chunks that could affect grip.
Blade
Axe blades must be sharp but not razor-thin at the edge. Dull axes bounce out. Over-sharpened axes chip or dig too deeply into boards. Inspect for nicks, rolled edges, or significant wear. Minor burrs can be honed, but deep damage requires professional sharpening or replacement.
Retire Pile
Label any axe that fails inspection and set it in a marked retire bin. Only coaches or trained staff should attempt repairs. Keep the pile locked or stored away from guest access. Track retired axes by date and reason for removal; this helps with inventory planning and shows due diligence if you are ever audited.
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Cage, netting and gap checks that inspectors and insurers look for
Third-party inspectors and insurance adjusters expect daily records of cage, netting, and gap checks. Their main concern is the containment of axes and the protection of guests and staff outside the lane. A missed detail here can cost a venue its policy or license.
Cage Structure
Start at ground level. Check anchor points for movement or rust. Kick plates should be undamaged and tightly fastened. Vertical posts must not wobble. Mesh panels should overlap at seams and be attached to every post, not just the corners.
Netting
If your venue uses netting above or beside cages, check for sagging, holes, or missing fasteners. Run a gloved hand along the length to feel for weak spots. If you can fit a finger through, the net needs repair or replacement. Overhead netting should never dip closer than six feet above the highest throw point.
Gap Checks
The most common insurance citations are for gaps between the cage and the floor, or between panels. Take a ruler and measure every seam. No opening should exceed the diameter of a fist. If you spot a gap, flag the lane as closed until repairs are complete. Keep a written log of these checks for each lane, each day.
The coach briefing every group hears, word for word
Consistency is key in safety briefings. Every group, every time, hears the same words from their coach. This is not just a formality; it is a legal and operational best practice. Here is a standard script you can hand to any new coach on their first day:
"Welcome to [Venue Name]. Axe throwing is a fun and safe activity when everyone follows the rules. Please listen closely. Only one person is allowed in the lane at a time. Always throw from behind the marked line. Never cross the line until all axes stop moving and the coach gives the signal. Axes must be thrown toward the target only, never at the sides or the floor. Closed-toe shoes are required at all times in the throwing area. If you drop an axe, let a coach retrieve it. Let us know right away if an axe feels loose or damaged. Alcohol is served in moderation, but if a coach decides you should stop, that is final. If you have questions, ask at any time. Is everyone ready?"
Keep a printed copy of this script at the coach stand. Rotate coaches through periodic retraining so the delivery stays sharp and consistent.
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One thrower per lane, retrieval calls and the closed toe rule
Enforcing lane rules is the backbone of venue safety. Three rules, in particular, should be visible on signage and reinforced verbally by every coach: one thrower per lane, retrieval calls, and the requirement for closed-toe shoes.
One Thrower Per Lane
Allowing more than one thrower in a lane, even for just one "group photo," multiplies risk. Make it policy: only the active thrower, with an axe, stands in the lane. Friends and family must remain behind the marked line. Coaches should watch for crowding, especially during parties and league nights.
Retrieval Calls
No one retrieves an axe until all axes stop moving. The coach or a designated group member calls "clear" or "retrieve" before anyone steps forward. This prevents accidents when a late throw or bounce-out occurs. Install a buzzer or light if noise levels make verbal calls hard to hear.
Closed Toe Rule
Closed-toe shoes are required in all lanes, without exception. This includes coaches and staff. Keep spare shoe covers at the front desk for guests who forget. Make a habit of checking footwear before issuing axes. Document refusals or exceptions in the daily log so staff can reference them if questioned later.
Alcohol service limits and the cutoff a coach has to enforce
Many venues serve beer, cider, or wine. While this adds to the customer experience, it comes with strict rules for service and cutoff. Most states set a maximum number of drinks per hour and prohibit service to visibly intoxicated guests. The coach is the first, and often only, line of defense.
Post the alcohol policy at the bar, in the waiting area, and inside each lane. A standard rule is no more than two drinks per person per hour. Coaches and bartenders must communicate. Use wristbands or punch cards to track each guest's limit. Document every drink served in the POS system.
Coaches must have the authority to cut off service at any sign of impairment: slurred speech, unsteady walking, slow reaction times, or repeated rule violations. When a cutoff occurs, the coach logs the name, time, and reason in the incident report. Management should back this decision, even if it means refunding a portion of a booking.
Remind staff that serving an intoxicated guest can result in fines or loss of liquor license. Regularly train all front-line staff on recognizing the signs and following proper procedure.
Closing: axe count, board watering and incident notes
The close checklist is as important as the open. Each lane must be secured, cleaned, and logged for the night. This protects your inventory, extends the life of your boards, and creates a record for the next shift or for management review.
Axe Count
Count every axe and log it against the opening inventory. Any missing or damaged axe is reported immediately. Store axes in a locked rack or cage. If your insurance requires it, a second staff member verifies the count. This prevents loss and ensures no stray axes are left accessible after hours.
Board Watering
Hydrate end grain boards at close. Use a spray bottle or damp sponge to moisten the surface, not soak it. This keeps fibers pliable and reduces splintering. Document the date and staff initials in the lane log; this is often checked by manufacturers for warranty claims.
Incident Notes
Fill out incident reports for any injury, rule violation, or equipment failure. Even near-misses go in the daily log. Include names, times, a description of what happened, and any follow-up actions. Store completed logs in a secure folder, digital or paper, for at least one year.
Weekly tasks, such as deep cleaning, cage tightening, and full board swaps, should be listed separately from the daily checklist. Assign these to experienced staff and keep a rotating schedule to ensure nothing is missed.
Many venues now use digital tools to combine participant bookings with per-person waiver signatures and check-in scanning. This system lets coaches track who was on which lane, who signed the safety briefing, and which staff member completed each checklist. It keeps the daily operation smooth and supports compliance with insurance and regulatory requirements.
