It's been awhile since I have played on Sandlot, but I will return. In the current Minecraft version is there timed hits?
Welcome back! The Sandlot is currently on 1.11 (1.12 clients can join the server, but the new items will not be available). The 1.9 update changed PVP to where spam-clicking is ineffective. When punching/PVPing, you have to wait a moment between each hit. Using a sword 'recharges' faster than an axe because a sword does less damage compared to an axe. The Sandlot has 1.9 PVP, so there will be those 'timed hits' as you said.