Playing cornhole can be a fun pastime and can be great for gatherings, competitions, and fundraisers as well. It takes a little bit of learning to really learn how to play cornhole well. While it might seem like it should be easy to just toss and land the bag, learning how to make corn hole bags land correctly is harder than it sounds.
In this guide, we will share with you some strategies and tips on how to land your bag.
Is There a Right and Wrong Way to Throw Your Cornhole Bags?
Learning how to throw cornhole bags is really all about learning your style of throwing. You see, while there are tips and forms that you can use to guide you, your own style has to be taken into consideration.
Why? Because we are all unique, your arm might be shorter or longer than the person giving you that tip. Additionally, your stance might be slightly different. Your legs could be shorter, or you might not take a step to toss.
We all develop our own skills and we all have a unique style behind our toss. The foundation and the basics remain the same, but you also need to practice and learn how to create your toss based on those foundations.
If you’re watching a YouTube video or trying to mimic someone else, focus less on getting it exactly like them, and more on turning those tips into your own style.
Throwing a Flat Bag
You will hear several different terms when it comes to learning how to make cornhole bags land the way you want them to. One common suggestion is to throw flat bags. This primarily refers to holding the bag flat, and then using that to your advantage. There are several details here that go into play.
Here are the basics:
- Start with a perfectly flat bag
- Aim with your thumb and fingers
- Use a slow but smooth movement
With these 3 important basics, your flat-bag approach will be far more successful. This is just a basic toss, with no flair or movements added to it.
To start, you want the flag to be completely flat and even. While some people will hold it by the corner, it might actually be better to hold it more flat on your hand. The typical suggestion for a flat bag is to let it rest flat on your fingers, and then put your thumb on the top of the bag.
Once you have it placed, you can use your thumb and your fingers to aim to some degree. Point your thumb and fingers toward the left or right, depending on if you are right- or left-handed, respectively.
By the time you move to release the bag, your fingers should then be pointing forward to direct the bag that way. Try to maintain control with every movement - this might just be the hardest part of the entire process.
Board Placement Matters
If you’re playing in a tournament or a league, they will set up the boards before you begin. They use specific measurements to set them up. That’s because the placement of the board does matter for your toss.
The regulation distance is to place boards 27 feet apart. Of course, if you’re playing at home, you might not always be able to do that. However, you can make sure that the boards are aligned perfectly and straight across from each other. This is an important part of that setup.
Before you head to a tournament or some sort of official game, make sure you are familiar with tossing at a 27-foot distance. Otherwise, your hard work might not pay off.
The Stance is a Significant Part of the Toss
Now, no matter how much you practice that swinging motion or the toss of your beanbag, it is important to note that your stance is crucial. Whether or not you take a step is completely up to you. But if you don’t have a stance to begin with, your toss is not going to be consistent.
Just like other parts of the toss process, there isn’t a right or wrong answer for where exactly you should stand. As you practice your toss and really get used to your own form, you can stand almost wherever you want.
There are very few rules that designate exactly how or where you stand. The only must-haves are that you have to be inside the “pitcher’s box,” and you can’t cross the front area of the board if you step.
When the other team is throwing, you can move out of the way as a courtesy. You don’t want to be the player that interferes with their toss.
The Basics of a Cornhole Bag Toss
Now, let’s talk more about the basics of your cornhole bag toss. Getting this toss down is what will help you land the bag correctly in the long run. We’ve already talked about the flat bag details, but let’s talk about the toss in general.
Your arm motion is going to make a difference, and it’s where you will get the distance behind the toss. Hold the bag as we directed above, swinging your arm toward you and then swinging it forward, releasing the bag when your fingers are facing forward.
Do this movement and release in one smooth movement. Don’t get hung up on the movement or the release, as that will cause problems with your landing.
Get Quality Bags and Cornhole Boards to Practice Landing Your Cornhole Toss
When you’re learning how to make cornhole bags land the way you want them to, the tools make a difference. Make sure you have quality cornhole bags and boards to practice on and play with. This might just be the advantage that you need.
Skips Garage has a variety of cornhole sets to choose from, including boards, bags, and other accessories. We take pride in providing high-quality solutions for your playing needs.