How to Become a Better Cornhole Player - The Best Tips for a Perfect Toss

In the last few years, cornhole has grown from a fun backyard sport to something much more competitive. Getting a 6-inch bag into a 6-inch hole from 27-feet away wasn't meant to be easy, but if you’re serious about making your way to the top of one of our cornhole leagues in central MA, the following tips should help get you there.
 
1. Aiming
 
It's natural to assume that you will get the best results if you aim directly for the hole. Most pros will tell you this is a mistake. Use that large area of the board below the hole to your advantage. It's a much bigger target, easier to land a bag on, and when you do land a hit, there is a good chance the bag will slide right on up and into the hole. If you shoot directly for the hole, odds are you're going to miss.
 
2. Prepare the Bag for Throwing
 
Throwing the bag as soon as you pick it up won't always give you the best results. Instead, you want to prepare the bag first by flattening it out to giving it some aerodynamic properties (think Frisbee). A bag landing flat on the board will also be more likely to slide into the hole.
 
3. Throwing Tips
 
Don't just lob the bag but put some spin on it; pancake style, not end-over-end. You may be tempted to add spin using a similar method to throwing a Frisbee (flicking the wrist), but that won't work quite as well. Instead, keep your arm nice and straight and use the ends of your fingers to add the spin as the bag leaves your hand.
 
4. Master the Four Cornhole Shots
 
Master the four cornhole shots: the slider, airmail, push, and blocker. We've already explained above how the slider works, see tip #1. The blocker is designed to land just in front of the hole and "block" your opponent from using a slider. You use a push shot when you want to nudge your own bag into the hole. Airmail is the cornhole equivalent of basketball's "nothin' but net.” You will need to master this shot for those times when your opponent successfully lands a well-placed blocker.
 
Think you're a pro now? Why not test your skills in one of our cornhole leagues in Massachusetts? Come enjoy a bit of competitive fun with a chance to win prizes!