Pro Tips to Take Your Cornhole Game to the Next Level

Summer is far from over and you have all the time in the world to relax. However, because of the COVID-19 outbreak, now isn’t the best time to go to the beach. Your annual summer trip to a foreign city will have to be postponed, too, because many countries still have their borders locked up due to the outbreak. You’ll have find other ways to enjoy the sun without going to the beach or flying to another country.

One low-risk way to still have fun is to host cornhole tournaments — a cornament, if you will — in the comfort of your backyard.

Before doing that, however, bring out your customized cornhole boards and work on your aim. Impress your friends and family by showing off your sweet air mail.

Practice Makes Perfect: You Need a Solid Foundation

However, before you can even think about upgrading your skills, you have to master the basics. Here are four simple steps for you to keep practicing until you can make shots in your sleep.

1. Pay attention to your stance.

To level up your cornhole skills, you have to look and feel confident. This means having a relaxed footing and holding the cornhole bag with ease. Experiment with the baseball pitcher’s balanced stance and the bowler’s slightly bent stance to know which works for you.

2. Aim for the center of the board.

The moment you get comfortable in your throwing position, it’s time to work on your aim. Most players aim straight for the hole; they don’t realize that the bag could slide down and miss. For a more accurate throw and a higher chance of an air mail, aim straight for the center of the board.

3. Master the ideal arc of your toss.

Now that we’re clear on what you should be aiming for, the next step is to master the arc of your toss and the timing of the release of your bag. The best way to hit the mark is with an underhand toss. Meanwhile, keep practicing your timing to determine when is too early to release and when is too late.

4. Do your victory dance.

Finally, no matter how competitive you and your pals may be during the actual tournament, don’t forget to let loose afterward. Bust out those moves — from a series of cartwheels to everyone’s favorite robot dance, or a simple flailing of the arms — and just have a good time.

These four steps are the foundation of a phenomenal cornhole player. But to be a cornado who wins every game, you have to keep practicing the way you sink your shots.

It’s All in the Mind: Athleticism isn’t the Basis for Winning

OK, you’ve got the mechanics down. You’ve been practicing your stance, aim, and throw (and victory dance). You can confidently say that you can do these steps repeatedly in your sleep. So what’s stopping you from being the very best cornhole player?

What do you have to do to be a cornhole master?

1. Get comfortable on the lawn

If there’s one thing you should do when you step out there and pick up that cornhole bag, it’s relax. Don’t think about the game too much. It won’t be easy to win if you’re not comfortable enough in your stance, or if you’re too distracted to throw fluidly.

2. Observe your opponent

To master the game, you shouldn’t just focus on your own improvement. You also have to study your opponent’s techniques to determine how you can do it better. And hey, if you know what gets under their skin, you may just throw them off their game and secure a win for yourself.

3. Switch up the way you fling bags

Switch up your shots depending on the game status. Practice your slider shots to effortlessly slide into the hole, blocker shots to prevent the opponent from a slider, and push shots to knock blockers out of the way. Of course, you have to work on your air mail as well.

4. Have fun, but not too much fun

One of the best things about cornhole is that you can play one-handed. You can toss the bag with one hand and hold a drink with the other. Be careful not to drink too much, though. A few drinks may give you the buzz you need but too much may affect your aim and throw.

Cornhole isn’t about athleticism. It isn’t about how physically active you are. Cornhole skills are more about instinct, mindset, focus, and practice than anything else. Keep this advice in mind and you’re that much closer to being the cornhole master that everyone respects.

Know Yourself: Self-Awareness is the Key to Success

To be a cornado, you have to master the rules of the game and remain focused during tournaments. These external factors aside, self-awareness is another significant contributor to your improvement. Determine what type of player you are and create a strategy based on that.

You could be a power player who throws tightly and keeps the bag close to the ground. In this case, you’re more focused on defense and ramping up the shot’s difficulty level for your opponents.

You could be a finesse player who focuses on accuracy and throws more gently. This type of player typically aims for clean shots and high rewards, rather than focusing on what the other players are doing.

Or you can be a balanced player who demonstrates a combination of styles. Being this type of player allows you to adapt to the type of throw you need to demonstrate based on your current standing in the game.

This Summer, Keep Things Safe and Simple

It sucks that some of your summer plans had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 outbreak. But the rest of your break doesn’t have to be bleak and boring. Organize cornhole tournaments for your family and friends. Let loose, have fun, and show them your recently improved skills.

For more information about our cornhole boards or the game itself, visit our FAQ page today.