Cornhole is a backyard game that involves tossing 16-ounce beanbags at holes on inclined wooden surfaces from a certain distance. Those who have played cornhole know that it’s not as easy as it seems. First, they need to have some of the best cornhole equipment and beanbags like those from https://www.cornholeworldwide.com/products/cornhole-bags/cornhole-bags/. Second, you will need to have a good aim.
If you’ve already played cornhole, your thoughts about it are probably “This is simple yet lots of fun.” and “How do I get better at this?”
Taking your cornhole game to the next level goes more than buying your own boards and bean bags. There’s a lot more to it than you know. Fortunately, Mike Whitton, former president of the American Cornhole Association, and Eric Hinerman, American Cornhole Organization VP of Operations and Certified Official Coordinator, are here to shed some light on this matter and give us some tips.
How to Be Better at Cornhole
Pro Tip 1: Find a playing style that works for you.
Hinerman says that one of the first things you have to figure out in this game is to find the style that’s comfortable for you.
Some folks use a stance with the opposite foot forward and toss with the dominant hand. Others prefer to stand still while some prefer to take a step forward and then toss with their good hand.
Whatever stance works for you, always follow through with your toss and make it fluid, says Hinerman.
Pro Tip 2: Don’t aim for the hole.
Whitton’s advice for amateurs is pretty simple. Do not be greedy.
He says to not think about the hole. Focus on putting the bag on the board’s first six inches and allow velocity to let it slide into the hole. He says that often, those who go for the hole miss.
Pro Tip 3: Relax.
Hinerman says that 90% of losses happen because of mental breakdown. Most competitors focus too much on winning that it gets to them. Whitton agrees and goes on to add that those who think too much of the game tend to tighten up and stress themselves out.
Their advice? Relax. Breathe. Have fun.
Pro Tip 4: Work on perfecting a spinning flat toss.
Hinerman says that the most effective toss is a spinning flat toss. However, this is one toss that usually takes the longest to perfect. Spinning the bag flat like a frisbee is vital to making it land where you want it to.
Pro Tip 5: Work on the four vital flings.
Every cornhole player should master these four shots: the slider, the blocker, the push, and the airmail.
Whitton explains each toss:
- The Slider is landing the bag on the front part of the board and letting it slide into the hole.
- The Blocker is used to land the bag near the hole to block an opponent’s bag from getting in.
- The Push is used to nudge your bag into the hole or to knock an opponent’s bag out.
- The Airmail is sending the bag straight into the hole.
Pro Tip 6: Practice. Practice. Practice.
Both Hinerman and Whitton agree that, like all other sports and activities, you can only get better with constant practice. So what are you waiting for? Take out those boards, set them up, and start tossing.
Cornhole can be lots of fun, especially if you’re getting the hang of it and are crushing your opponent. If you want to improve your game, listen to the experts and heed their advice.
