Some people haven’t heard of the game of cornhole, also referred to as corn toss. This game is very similar to a standard game of horseshoes, except instead of metal stakes and horseshoes, you’ll use corn bags and a cornhole board. Learning how to play cornhole can be a fun challenge for the whole family. It’s fun for people of all ages and can be a great way to enjoy some quality family time during the weekend.
If you’re new to the game and looking for an advantage over your competition, then this guide is exactly what you need. I’ll go over some of the finer points of the game, how you can perfect your toss, and what gear you need to get started.
How Cornhole Works
While this game may look pretty simple, mastering it will take time, patience, commitment, and plenty of practice. But it’s a great, challenging game, and one that you’ll have fun introducing to the kids, family, and friends.
Like most established games, there are rules of cornhole, but most people have more fun tweaking these rules a little. Many people also have their own set rules they prefer to stick to when playing a frame with the family.
This is a fun, fast-paced game. The lead can change hands many times over during a single match, before a winner is decided.
In general, the game is played tournament style with a team or individual being named the winner at the end.
This game can be played with teams of two or four, or one on one. Players will take turns tossing the bags onto the board or through the cornhole.
Equipment
To play this game, you’ll need the following equipment:
Boards
For this game, you’ll use a couple of identical cornhole boards that measure in at two feet by four feet. On the board, there’s a six-inch hole that’s placed nine inches from the top of the board. Most of these boards come equipped with legs that are foldable. When the legs are opened, it will create a sloped surface. Each playing surface is around three inches from the ground toward the front, and approximately one foot off the ground in the back.
Cornhole Bags
You’ll need a total of eight cornhole bags. Half of the set is one color, with the other four in another color. The bags are pretty small at six-by-six inches. They’re also very light and weigh just fifteen ounces or so. Buying high quality cornhole bags will ensure they last longer. These are the bags that are covered in a very durable material.
Most games come as a set and include the bags.
Gameplay Tips
The boards should be placed about twenty-seven feet apart and should face each other. The boards should be set on flat terrain.
You and the other player will take turns throwing the bags until every player has tossed a total of four bags. The team or player that wins the frame will get to throw first for the next frame.
If you’re up against an experienced player, then it can be frustrating to lose frame after frame. Fortunately, there are some tips you can try out that can have you dominating every game.
Focus
When you’re focusing on getting each of your bags through the hole, you’ll be more likely to make an errant toss. Try aiming for the front of the board instead. This will increase the odds that most of your throws will slide right into the hole. If they don’t, then your bag should be in the right position to block an opponent from reaching the hole.
Spinning
Most of the top cornhole competitors don’t just lob a bag. They actually put some spin on the bag by using a pancake, or flat style. Basically, the bag spins horizontally to the ground with a slightly downward angle. This throwing style increases the chances that the bag will make it into the hole. Avoid using your wrist to get some spin on the bag, like you would when you throw a frisbee. Instead, the wrist should be kept straight as you use your fingers to put some spin on the bag when you release it.
Stay Calm
When you’re playing, try to remain relaxed and focus on having fun. If you’re tense when you’re throwing, your game is going to suffer.
Perfecting Your Throws
Throwing a bean bag into the hole can require the perfect slide or arc in order to get it into the hole with every toss. The problem is using that perfect arc each time. Below, you’ll find some tips that go more in-depth on tossing techniques and what you can do to perfect yours.
Arc
Having the right arc is one of the most important parts of the toss. If there’s too much arc on the bag, it’s going to hit the board and stop. Additionally, too much arc can add air time, which will leave too much room for error. If a portion of the bag begins to go off course, even slightly, the longer it’s in the air, the more off course it’s going to be. This type of air time can be helpful for a one pointer or for people who want to throw a blocking bag, however, it can make a cornhole trickier. Not enough arc and the bags may launch off the back of the board. The right amount of arc will allow your bag to slide on the board, in a more controlled manner.
The Correct Form
When you use the proper form, it will keep your bags straight. This is why consistency is so important. You’ll also need to stay consistent with your arc. Once you learn which form achieves the perfect arc, you can slide and keep your bag perfectly straight. Of course, practice makes perfect. Regardless of which type of toss you use; consistency will really matter. Once you’ve found the form that works the best for you, you’ll easily cornhole every time.
Don’t Concentrate on the Hole
If you’re new to the game, try to keep things simple, avoid thinking about the hole and concentrate on getting the bag on the first six inches of the board instead, using the velocity to slide it in. In most cases, when a person focuses solely on the hole, they often miss.
When you think about the game too much and landing the bag in the hole, you’ll tense up.
Basic Shots
There are a few shots that every player needs to master.
This includes:
- Push
- Blocker
- Slide
Blocker
The blocker is all about dropping the bag near the hole to try and prevent the other player from sliding their bag in.
Push
The push basically nudges the bag into the hole. Pushing can also come in handy if you want to knock the other player’s bag out of the way.
Slide
If you’re using the board’s slide to your advantage, then you’ll want to ensure you get more bags in the hole. Try not to be afraid of the bag sliding if you’re trying to make a cornhole. This will give you a larger target. If you’re playing on a different board, then you may need to adjust to a different throwing style. Some bags and boards are very slick, while with other boards, the bags will stick regardless of how flat your arc is. This can be impacted by temperatures if you’re playing outside. Just keep in mind there may be times when you need to tweak the amount of arc you use, depending on outdoor conditions or board type. If you’re playing on a friend’s board, you can try some practice tosses to get a better feel for their bags and boards.
The key to getting more bags in the hole is learning how to slide it. You’ll have around three feet of error room by sliding. If the bag hits six inches or two feet before the hole, it won’t matter. Regardless, you’ll still have an opportunity to make the hole if you know how to use sliding to your advantage.
It’s Tougher Than You Think
While cornhole may appear to be a very simple game, it does take commitment, practice, and skill in order to master the game. While you can always just toss the bag and hope for the best, if you’re up against other players with more experience, try practicing different throwing techniques, and adding more arc to your throws.
Throwing a line drive at the board is one of the biggest mistakes beginners tend to make. Instead, you want to give the bag some arc and make sure that it lands flat on the board and does not have a lot of force behind it. This type of fastball throwing isn’t very accurate and usually leads to the bag bouncing or sliding right off the board.
Footwork
In cornhole, your footwork will also be very important. You may not always be able to choose which side of the board you’re standing on, but you can choose how you want your feet placed when it’s time to throw. Many pros debate about whether not stepping or stepping is better, but in the end, it all boils down to personal preference. Some pros believe that taking a step will increase their margin of error slightly, since that one extra motion must be perfect.
If you want to try taking a step when you toss, then if you’re left-handed, you’ll place your right foot forward so you can lean into your throw. If you’re right-handed, then you’ll want to put your left foot forward.
How to Hold a Bag
How you hold the bag is also important. Many beginners will grab the bag by the corners and just toss it. While there’s really no right way to throw a bag, try gripping it with your index, middle, and ring fingers, with your thumb placed on top. The index finger should be wrapped around the side of the bag, with your ring and middle fingers used to grip the center of the bag. You need control over the center of the bag in order to spin it properly.
You can slightly adjust your grip, but the method I’ve described above is how the pros usually do it.
When to Release a Bag
When you aim, it’s all about planning where you want the bag to go. It’s also important not to release your bag too soon or too late. Both of these mistakes can impact the accuracy of your throw. Knowing the perfect time to release can depend on your throwing style. Only with practice will you learn how to time your release properly.
Spinning End Over End
I discussed adding some spin to your throw, but the bag should never spin end over end when you’re taking a shot. Instead, the bag should land flat on the bottom side when it makes contact with the board. You need to practice a lot to really get the right toss down. Ideally, the bag should move through the air completely flat and float, almost like a frisbee. This will make your throws more accurate. If the bag is going end over end, then it’s more likely to bounce right off the board. Keep in mind, the bag needs some spin. All that really matters is that there’s enough spin to get the bag to rotate flat through the air if it’s going to hit the board accurately and with less of a chance of it flying unpredictably. Once you have this move down, you’ll usually know exactly where the bag is going to land.
After You’ve Mastered the Basics
Once you have a predictable, consistent shot, then you can focus on developing some of your own specialty shots. These are the shots that will help you beat really challenging players.
Blocking the hole is a common tactic that more experienced players often use. This will prevent your bag from sliding into the hole. This is when you need to try out the airmail shot.
The Airmail Shot
The airmail shot involves aiming straight for the hole, without even making contact with the board. It’s very difficult to execute, and you’ll have a low chance of success. However, this move will allow you to get your bag in the hole, even if your opponent has managed to effectively block it. The best way to practice the airmail is to practice your normal throw until you’re able to predict where it’s going to land on the board.
Super Spin
When you use a standard wrist throw, you have the option of changing the bag’s rotation speed. The super spin is a fun trick shot that will allow your bag to plow right through any other bags on the board. If you get just enough spin on your bag, it may even bounce off the other bags and ricochet in.
How Much Should I Practice?
Like any other sport, the more you practice, the better you’ll be. Practicing is all about muscle memory and repetition. How much and how often you practice is all up to you, but the more you practice the more accurate your shots will be.
Playing on a Hard Surface
Playing cornhole on a soft surface such as sand or grass can be ideal for many reasons, especially since the impact of the bags will be lessened, which will create less bounce. When you play on a hard surface, such as concrete, the impact of the bag will cause the board to be a little jumpy, especially if your bag lands flat. Most of the time, you may not even notice if the board moves around a little, however, if you’re playing in a tournament, then you’ll want the best setup. One of the simplest and easiest solutions is to use a towel. Cut a towel in quarters or in half. Next, fold the towel up and place it under the legs of the board.
Leveling a Board
A bag is meant to slide on the board’s deck. If the board is tilted, then the bag may slide too slowly or too quickly to the left or right. If the board has been tilted to the right, then it will slide to the right. If the board is placed on a downward slope with the tilted back, then the bag may slide too quickly, which will make it difficult to keep your bag on the board.
When you set up your board, make sure that the board is level. You can do this by testing the slide with some practice throws, or by using a level. If the board is tilted, then you may need to use a towel and place it under the feet.
Excessive Slide
If the bags are very dry and the weather is hot, then the surface of the board may become very slick, which will make it very difficult to keep the bags on the board. This can be very frustrating for players. If you’re having trouble keeping the bags on the board, you can try spraying a little water on the bags. This will also make it easier for the bags to slide in the hole. You can also try adding more arc than you normally would, when it’s time to throw.
Playing at Night
Playing a few rounds of cornhole at night can make the game even more challenging, especially if you don’t have the best outdoor light setup. If you don’t want to limit gameplay to daytime only, then invest in a set of cornhole lights. These lights will wrap around the borders of the board and the holes, clearly lighting up your setup, so you can enjoy playing frame after frame, long after the sun has set.
Final Thoughts
Because cornhole appears to be such a simple game, many people don’t immediately realize the technique, skill, and timing required when they’re just learning how to play cornhole. But once you find your groove and you’re able to time your throws, and predict where each bag will land, you’ll find that this game is very exciting and challenging. You can take your throwing skills to the next level by trying out some of the advanced shots I’ve mentioned here, but remember, you should only attempt these advanced moves after you have mastered the basics of the game.
