Starting Your Own Atlatl League

by Dennis Lantz
12/10/2005

Nothing lifts the spirits like throwing darts with a group of friends on a warm summer evening.
 
Welcome to the outdoors... the land of the crow and the chickadee... welcome to the place where the rhythmic creaking of trees in the breeze and the steady flowing stream encourages you to breathe in the smell of damp earth and fresh-mowed grass and to exult in the wonders of all that is natural.
 
This is the land of the atlatl. This is the realm of the Tyoga Atlatl Association's Tuesday evening league.
 
Considered by many to be a consistent force at the forefront of modern atlatl thought, the Tyoga Atlatl Association began its first Tuesday evening league in May 2000. At the time, the concept of altatl leagues was new and none of the six participants could have foreseen the evolution their friendships were about to take.
 
Six years of intricate human dealings is a fascinating social study in itself, but the study becomes more interesting when the members are almost entirely new acquaintances. In 2000, the only bond we shared was our newfound interest in the atlatl. 
 
The only two members of our fledgling league who had known each other for more than a year were Jack Rowe and Melissa Dildine, who had been a couple for nearly 20 years. Brandon Anderson, Tom Goble, Dave Santos and I had not known each other for long. None of us had belonged to any sort of league prior to this, with the exception perhaps of an occasional bowling league. None were participants of organized sports, though each was athletic in their own manner and some were enthusiasts of various sports. 
 
Starting from scratch we have developed what I believe was the first atlatl league, currently the longest running league and one of historical significance in our burgeoning sport.
 
If you think that it has been easy, you are mistaken. The bonds of friendship have been tested... stretched to breaking and glued back together to make them stronger. We've learned more about each other than we thought possible. Not all of what we learned was good, but the lessons left indelible marks on our lives and ultimately made us better friends.
 
This article is meant to be a lesson for starting your own league. In it you will find ideas on how to circumvent a variety of problems, but more importantly you will discover how to make your league run smoothly and efficiently.
 
The following are some ideas taken from the TAA league that may help you in your own.
 
Finding Atlatlists to Throw in Your League
The initial problem with beginning an atlatl league is one of numbers. I am only slightly a proponent of the 'build it and they will come' theory, but in this case it is necessary to believe. It will take a lot of hard work and dedication to make your league everything it can be, though. Leagues are a commitment and should be deemed as such right from the beginning.
 
Right now there aren't a great deal of atlatlists around the country, and because of this scarcity, it is almost impossible to come up with enough people to throw in your backyard, let alone start a league. You can begin by throwing with your friends and then start recruiting others to throw with you. I don't think that extreme measures are necessary. Start by asking all of your friends if they are interested in joining a league and then put simple fliers in local archery shops or at sporting venues. 
 
It is a good idea to give demonstrations at local museums, sporting shows, etc. - and while you are demonstrating the use of the atlatl and dart, let everyone there know that you are interested in starting a local league.
 
Local is the key word here. Depending on where you live and where you can throw, local can mean a pretty big area. If possible, start with a sign up sheet and short survey for potential competitors. Find out where they live, how far they are willing to travel to participate, what days and time they are available and what they want out of a league. You are going to need a dozen names just to get a handful of actual throwers. 
 
Your list will be whittled down rather quickly because some people won't be able to find a compatible time, some will lack the commitment and dedication necessary to compete and others will simply be unable to travel. Gas prices can be a factor when starting a league.
 
Taking Charge
Someone needs to take charge and coordinate all the meetings and preliminary steps. Choosing a day to hold your league is usually the hardest part. Not everyone will have the same days free. If you wish to avoid months of indecision and frustration, make your choice and stick by it.
 
Knowing What You Want From A League
A league takes commitment, but you will immediately see the benefits. Deciding what you want from your league will help determine how it is set up. 
 
The idea behind the TAA league - in May 2000 - was to increase our ISAC scores and have fun doing it. We designed our league around the World Atlatl Association's ISAC competition, with only a few minor changes. The biggest change was the number of participants. We wanted to throw together so we decided that six people could throw in a flight. When our numbers increased over the next few years, we kept six as the single flight maximum. After that we split into teams. We haven't had to split into three teams yet, but have been close a few times.
 
Our league members have won world championships and almost every thrower has been ranked near the top of the WAA's yearly list.
 
For the first five years of the TAA Tuesday league, we threw three ISAC-style games each night. In keeping as many aspects of our league in line with ISAC rules, we threw one dart, five times from 15 meters and five times from 20 meters, keeping a rotation of throwers. We watch for foot faults, use the same equipment during a game (unless it gets damaged) and use ISAC guidelines and measurements for targets and equipment. 
 
In 2005 we decided that we want to increase our hunting skills so have changed our format to two ISAC-style games and a five-target animal course. 
 
Whatever you decide to do, you must set the rules down prior to throwing and must make sure that everyone knows what those rules are. Contention about the rules has caused minor disagreements in the TAA league and I view that as unnecessary.
 
Pre-determined Conduct Rules
 As was stated before, everyone should know the league rules. Do you allow alcohol in moderation to those of legal age? Do you penalize obscenities or angry outbursts? Are children allowed to be present during the league? What do you do to resolve conflicts between throwers? Remember that you are - or could become - friends. 
 
Games
From the survey, you will be able to determine what types of games, activities and goals each participant has. From this you can figure out what sort of games you will have. 
 
We used an ISAC style target because that is what we needed practice throwing at. If you wish to be better all-around atlatlists you can make up your own targets. You might want to throw at 3D targets, moving targets or a variety of different targets. It's all up to you to use the types of targets that will help you achieve your goals.
 
League Fees And Guest Throwers
Currently, the TAA throws 16-week leagues during May through August. Sixteen weeks can be a long time, especially with jobs, commitments and responsibilities of life. We have a $26 per member fee. This is $2 per week... with three free weeks.
 
We set it up this way to allow us funds for targets, prizes and any other costs that need to be covered. You may wish to set your league up differently. 
 
You will find that there will be some people who want to come and throw with you, but for whatever reason cannot be full time members of the league. In the TAA league, we allow guests to throw with us three times for free... but if they come for a fourth week, they are asked to pay the weekly fee.
 
Make Up Throwing
Things come up. Sometimes your members will not be able make it on a league night. But if the league is to be taken seriously, everyone should attempt to throw the same number of weeks. In the TAA, that is 16 weeks, but you may wish to have a different number. Our first year we only threw for 12 weeks, but in following years we wanted to throw more so it has been 16 weeks ever since. 
 
When a member misses a week of league, we have a rule that they have to make that week up within two weeks from the missed day. We have been a bit lax on that rule lately, but it is important that you have some standard agreement concerning make-ups. In our second year we had a rule that points were deducted for make-ups, but this made it difficult on the scorekeeper so we changed that. 
 
It is ideal that everyone throws under the same conditions. Our make-ups have to be thrown at the same place they were missed. (This year we threw exclusively at the EMC Club, but in past years we have thrown at different places.)
 
Cancellation or Postponement Procedures
Unless you throw inside, you will be prone to some postponement or cancellations due to weather. It is best to have procedures in place so that everyone will be informed. Someone has to make the decision and then everyone has to know. This is especially important if your members have to travel any distance to the throwing location. In our first year we had two postponements. We now have a rule that if we postpone due to rain on Tuesday, we will make it up on Wednesday. You should do whatever your league members determine best.
 
Record Keeping
Someone will need to keep records. We have had our league scores printed in the local papers and posted on an Internet news source. It is easy to do and increases the public?s awareness of our sport. However, you must be careful not to post scores in such a way that will intimidate the beginners or lesser throwers in the group. If you are going to post scores in the local media, make sure that everyone agrees that this is a good idea and make sure that they are presented in a way that is fair.
 
I have been the record keeper for our league for most of its existence. (The first year, the task was Brandon Anderson's). I have recorded scores, averages, yearly averages, games above average, X's and a whole bunch of other statistics. This increases the workload, but you are able to gain a lot of insight if you desire to do so.
 
Awards
While the TAA members think awards are important for our tournaments, we decided that league awards weren't necessary for us. You, however, may wish to include awards for your league that mark accomplishments that are worthy of merit.
 
Area Set Up and Safety
The final concern, important for leagues just as for tournament events, is safety. Safe throwing areas ensure that our sport remains fun and exciting. Safety cannot be overstated.
 
In our first year, we had six throwers and rotated to four different locations. At these locations we had a single target. In our second year, the number of atlatlists in our league grew and we found it necessary to have more than one target. We then changed our rotation to two places with three targets at each. 
 
Obviously your league location or locations need to have enough area to be able to throw safely. They also need to be held in places where there isn't a lot of disruption or excess noise.
 
I have a place in my woods that we threw for five years. I think that ambience is important to satisfaction in any endeavor and that is so with throwing darts. Depending on what sort of challenges or games you include, a wooded area or field might be more conducive to success.
 
These are just a few of the things that you will need to think about before starting your own league. The rewards are more than just increased scores and skills. Friendships become stronger and new ones are added. Your focus on this sport will become more intense.
 
If you have any questions about starting a league or about improving an existing league, please contact me.