Javelin

It was just as important for a Viking to be able to throw a javelin well as it was to be a good archer. The Vikings used javelins like spears, both for hunting and in battle. Accuracy was important, and throwing javelins at targets was a popular sport. This was more difficult than it sounds, as Vikings were expected to throw the javelin with either hand in case one arm was injured in battle. In battles it was also necessary to throw javelins over your own soldiers to hit the enemy. This meant that throwing long distances was important, and the Vikings would have distance throwing competitions similar to the javelin event in modern athletics.