You may know the cornhole game by other names – bean toss, bag toss, bags, corn toss – but no matter how you refer to this game, it will never go out of style. In fact, the cornhole has become so popular that it’s even nationwide coverage by large networks.
On a more local level – your backyard, cornhole is a friendly (or competitive) game that brings family and friends together during holiday weekends, birthday parties, celebratory events, and more. . And with Memorial Day fast approaching (May 29e), it’s the perfect time to learn the ins and outs of this cornhole pro’s favorite game.
Jacob Trzcienski, ACL pro, shares his love for the game as well as his top tips for taking your next game to the next level. Hint: the main goal is to have fun! But seriously, it’s a lot more fun when you earn bragging rights.
How Cornhole Began
Interestingly enough, “A 14th century carpenter created a safer way for children to play the game after he noticed they were trying to throw rocks down a groundhog’s hole,” says Trzcienski. Soon after, bags and boards were invented.
Several years later, Trzcienski explains the American Cornhole League (ACL) was started by Stacey Moore, the commissioner and founder, who started the league with events around 2015 when he realized cornhole was taken more seriously than most backyard games.
It’s safe to say that the game of Cornhole has stuck and is now a staple in many homes and enjoyed by millions!
Cornhole explained
The popular lawn game is easy (and fun) to play. All you need are two players or two teams to start having fun. Each player takes turns tossing a bean bag onto the raised and angled cornhole boards.
The object of the game is to score the most points by landing the bag inside the hole or on the board itself. The first team (or player) to 21 points wins!
cornhole equipment
Cornhole Score
Traditionally, the cornhole is played in 21 points.
You win:
- 3 points if the pouf lands in the hole in the board.
- 1 point if the bag lands anywhere on the board.
- Zero points if the bag does not land on the board or in the hole.
How to throw the bag (body position matters)
Surprisingly, there is no “perfect” or top secret way to throw the sack and win the game every time, as no two pros have the same throwing style. “Literally everyone has a different type of throw, and some maybe even have a different spin on the bag.” said Trzcienski.
However, the position of the legs is quite important. “Now my favorite thing for everyone coming into the game is the right leg forward, because it spreads your hip so your arm goes behind you,” says Trzcienski.
He also tells everyone to do what is comfortable for them. It may look like leading with your left foot or with both feet equally placed.
The goal is to be comfortable and have fun!
How to handle the bag
- Holding the bag: “Holding a bag is by far the most important thing,” says Trzcienski. “So what I say to people I teach is: keep your grip consistent and stay one, don’t change it.”
- release the bag: Your exit point in Trzcienski’s eyes is what he considers a free throw. “Stay with a hold and release, if you repeat it enough it will soon turn into muscle memory,” he says.
- Appropriate form: In the game of cornhole, the proper shape is called a “flat bag”. This is when you throw the bag flat. This allows the bag to go straight 100% of the time, whereas if you throw a spinning bag and it lands in a corner, it won’t go straight 100% of the time. “A lot of physics behind this game,” says Trzcienski.
How to Practice for Cornhole
The best way to train for the cornhole is like anything you want to improve on – lots of reps. Playing solo is a great starting point. “Seeing how many bags you can put down the hole in a row is a great way,” says Trzcienski. Plus, playing and training alone can be quite fun.
Also, putting yourself in game situations when you practice on your own will help, however, Trzcienski thinks playing against someone helps your mental side of the game.
“A lot of people don’t look at that aspect and I’ve always done that since I started, iron sharpens iron, therefore, leads you to improve.” He says.
With this, repetition is key, practicing alone or with a partner will only increase your confidence in the game.
Pro tip for blocking
Placing a level one block is the most effective way to prevent your opponent from putting all four bags. “It’s best to do it early in the game because if you miss your block it can be a simple two-pointer for the other team,” says Trzcienski.
Now, if you’re down a lot and need momentum to change, this is a really good way to get rid of your opponent.
Most of the time this usually means sliding the bag inside, so everyone tends to throw the considered sticky side out of a bag, but some bags are much faster than others on either side. Flipping the bag is when you need to push one or two bags etc.
Final Thoughts:
“Anyone can play and anyone can win! says Trzcienski, and he doesn’t believe talent wins the game. “Of course it helps to have a natural ability and good genetics for certain things, however, if you put the time and effort into it, whatever it is, you’ll get a great result – you just have to stay consistent and give it time!”
