The Cornhole Toss - Increasing Points and Improving Your Game
Whether you are playing a game of cornhole competitively or simply enjoying some fun in your own backyard, the right toss will go a long way towards helping you to score more points and feel a sense of accomplishment while you play. Throwing your cornhole bags is much more of an art form than it is a science, and with a bit of study and some solid time spent practicing, just about anyone can master a great toss and drastically improve their game.
Preparing Mentally and Physically
The first step in improving your toss is to understand the mental preparation needed for a great game of cornhole. Wherever you are playing, find a way to zone out and get in the groove, and learn to avoid distractions from noises around you and even your opponents. Focus an eagle eye on the hole, and do not look away until your bag has landed.
The Proper Sit for Your Cornhole Bag
When you are ready to throw, make sure your bag sits in your throwing hand and that the stuffing material inside it is evenly distributed. If your cornhole bag is lumped due to pockets of stuffing or stuffing sits more to one side than another, your toss will be uneven, and this can impact where and how the bag lands and ultimately, your game. Your bag should sit squarely in your hand with most fingers supporting the underside but your thumb pressed lightly in the center and your index finger curled around a corner as you are preparing to throw.
Step, Swing, Arc and Curve
With your cornhole bag firmly in hand, gently swing the arm back while stepping forward with the opposite foot. Release your bag when your arm is about even with your shoulder. Throw with a slight curve and arc; there’s no exact method to how much of either works best, so you will need to spend some time practicing to find what works for you.
Aiming for The Target
Throwing directly at the hole is a common mistake of beginners, but to improve your score, it is really better to aim your bag to hit about a foot below the board. By doing this, you give yourself a larger target, and there’s a good chance the bag will slide up the board and right into the hole where you want it to be.
When Cornhole Bags Are In Your Way
If there are a lot of bags on the cornhole board, a slightly different method often works best. First, focus your attention on a much smaller area, think of a golf ball sitting directly in the center of the hole, to increase your potential for accuracy and aim. Next, release your bag just a little later than usual, but give yourself some extra momentum and thrust with a slightly heavier step and the use of your legs. This can help you to hit your mark without taking your opponent’s cornhole bags with you while doing so.
In closing, remember that there are lots of different ways to toss a cornhole bag. Take the time to research and try out some different styles including the sling toss, Frisbee toss, overhand toss, jump toss and fold over toss. With trial and error and some time spent perfecting your craft, you can easily improve your score and become the blue ribbon superstar at your next tournament or backyard barbeque.