ADVANCED CORNHOLE BASICS | TYPES OF CORNHOLE SHOTS

Learn how to throw different cornhole shots with The American Cornhole Association. Use these tips to help you dominate the game like a pro.

We'll walk you through the following cornhole shots & throws:

• The 2 Sides of the cornhole bag

• How to throw a flat cornhole bag

• Slide

• Blocker

• Airmail

• Push

• Roll

• Bully

CORNHOLE BAG BASICS

DUAL-SIDED CORNHOLE BAGS

Synergy Pro and Synergy Touring Pro cornhole bags are constructed with two different materials that help you make strategic cornhole shots

TURBO WEAVE

Turbo weave is a fast, woven material that allows your shot to slide quickly across the cornhole board and into the hole.

MICROSUEDE

Microsuede is a soft, fuzzy-like material that will help you stick your bag on the board and allow for strategic placement of your shot.

HOW TO THROW A FLAT CORNHOLE BAG

Hold the cornhole bag perfectly flat in your hand. Your thumb should be on top of the bag and your other fingers holding the bottom of the bag. 

To throw a flat cornhole bag, your arm motion will be similar to a motion of bowling. When you release the bag, the wrist motion is like that of throwing a frisbee. This will create rotation and generate spin while the bag flies flat in the air.

TYPES OF CORNHOLE SHOTS

SLIDE SHOT

One of the most basic shots is cornhole is the slide shot. This is when the bag lands on the bottom 2/3^rd of the board and slides up and into the hole.

How to throw a slide shot:

Flip the bag so the turbo-weave side is facing down. Release the bag using a normal throwing motion and trajectory. Ideally, you are aiming for the center of the board and in the lower 2/3^rd. This gives the bag enough space to slide up the board and into the hole for 3 points.

BLOCKER

A blocker is when the bag is placed so that it obstructs your opponent’s path to the hole. A successful blocker forces your opponent into taking more difficult shots.

How to throw a blocker shot:

First, flip the bag so the micro-suede is facing down. Release the bag using a normal throwing motion and but a high trajectory. The combination of the slow side and high trajectory will allow the bag to “stick” where you are aiming to block

AIRMAIL

Everyone’s favorite shot is the airmail. This is when the bag goes directly into the hole without touching the board at all. It’s a difficult shot to master, but with massive payoffs for anyone who can consistently hit this shot.

How to throw an airmail shot:

With this shot, the side of the bag shouldn’t matter. The key is to use a high trajectory angle and aim directly at the hole. This will give your bag the best percentage of going in the hole.

PUSH SHOT

When your bag is blocking the hole and it is your turn to throw, the push shot will help you score maximum points. This shot is similar to a slide shot, but pushes the blocker bag, as well as the thrown bag, into the hole.

How to throw a push shot:

To throw this shot, first flip the bag so the turbo-weave side is facing down. You’ll want to use a low trajectory and a put some extra power into the throw. Aim between 4-12 inches in front of the bag you are trying to push in. A successful push shot will let you score 2 cornholes on the same throw.

 BULLY SHOT

If your opponent has thrown a bag and it is slightly to either side of the hole, you can execute a bully shot. This is when you can throw a sliding shot that pushes or “bullies” your opponent’s bag out of the danger zone.

How to throw a bully shot:

Flip the bag so the turbo-weave is facing down. You also may want to take a step to the outside of the pitcher’s box to give you a better angle. Once you have the correct angle, release the bag with a normal trajectory and aim for the side of their bag closest to the hole. If executed correctly, you should push their bag out of the way while also sliding your bag into the hole.

ROLLING SHOT

One of the most technically difficult shots in cornhole is a rolling shot. This unorthodox shot is used to “rollover” your opponent’s bag when it is blocking the hole. 

How to throw a rolling shot:

To throw this bag, you will grip the bag in your first with the bag on its side. The goal when releasing this bag is to make it topple, end over end so that when it contacts the board it flips over your opponent’s blocker. We recommend experimenting for yourself a grip and throw that works best for you.