Cornhole is a sport, an art form, and a family tradition! Whether you’re gearing up for friendly tailgates, summer BBQ tournaments, or pro competitions, you’ve gotta hone your cornhole skills.

Mastering this beloved game doesn’t require superhuman athleticism or a four-year degree in beanbag physics. It’s all about putting together a few basic principles to create outstanding results. If you don’t know where to start, our eight tips should help you perfect your cornhole technique.

Find a Comfortable Stance

Before you even think about tossing that bag, get your stance right. The position of your body sets the tone for every throw. There are two common approaches here. First, you can plant both feet firmly on the ground to create a high level of stability. The other option is to go for the one-step method, where you step forward with the opposite foot to your throwing arm as you throw.

Whichever method you choose, remember the golden rule of cornhole stances—balance is everything. You don’t want to wobble like a Jenga tower on its last leg when you go for your toss. Keep your posture steady and comfortable to set yourself up for a good toss.

Add Some Arc to Your Throw

Straight tosses might work for darts, but cornhole bags crave a little arc. A rookie mistake is throwing too low and watching your bag skid off the board. Instead, aim for a graceful trajectory. Your bag should glide through the air in a nice arc.

The height gives the bag a better chance of staying on the board when it lands, and if done right, an arced toss softens the landing. As long as you do this correctly, an arched throw will decrease the risk of wild bounces and make your beanbag land closer to the hole.

Try To Land the Bag Flat With a Little Spin

If there’s one secret to becoming a cornhole ace, it’s mastering the flat throw with a touch of spin. A bag that lands flat has a good chance of hitting the board and staying on instead of sliding right off. To achieve this, hold the bag by the top seam and relax your grip. Then, you’ll want to release the bag with a gentle flick of the wrist. The spinning motion should help the beanbag move up the board and, with any luck (and eventually skill), into the hole. Slowly but surely, you’ll notice that adding these two simple techniques to your throw will lead to consistent throws. You’ve now leveled up your skills!

Develop a Consistent Throwing Technique

Knowing how to throw a bag is only half the battle. Consistency is key when becoming a cornhole pro. The players who dominate the boards at backyard games and championships usually have one thing in common—a reliable throwing motion they can repeat with every toss.

When developing your technique, pay attention to three components: your grip on the bag, your throwing motion, and your release point. Stick to a throw that feels effortless. You’ll know you have nailed it when each bag you throw follows a similar arch and rotation. And hey, even if you start feeling like you’re going through the motions, your win percentage will be worth it!

Learn To Block Out Distractions

We get it. You don’t play cornhole in pin-drop silence. There’s bound to be music blasting, people chatting, or your competitor doing some trash-talking. To get your A-game on, you’ve got to block out distractions. A little focus goes a long way—visualize getting that bag on the board or give yourself a quick mental pep talk. If you are struggling to block out all of the noise, don’t engage with your opponent’s antics at the very least. They’re the ones who are most likely to throw off your groove, after all!

Get Quality Cornhole Gear

While form and technique go a long way in upping your game, they’re no substitute for bad gear! Quality boards, bags, and accessories make a huge difference in your performance. Even if you have no desire to join the pro scene, using regulation boards and bags will help with improving your skills. They provide a consistent playing surface and feel.

When it comes to the playing surface, you might look for waterproof cornhole boards that can withstand a drizzly day or a spilled drink. Also, look for bags filled with quality resin pellets rather than old-school corn, so they’re less likely to puff up if they absorb moisture or leave everyone sneezing in dust clouds as the corn degrades over time. If you want to take things a step further, you can invest in cornhole mats and gloves. Regardless of what you get, investing in reliable gear shows that you’re serious about stepping up your game.

Ask Your Skilled Friends for Pointers

If you have that one friend who seems to have a magic hand when it comes to cornhole, you should definitely hit them up for some pointers. Everyone has their own tips, tricks, and techniques that work for them, so it doesn’t hurt to learn from someone who’s logging serious wins. Whether it’s advice on aiming, how to counter an opponent’s blocker bag, or getting help with your form, your experienced pals can probably give recommendations you didn’t even think about. Getting assistance from others is one of the best ways to perfect your cornhole technique. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a buddy!

Take the Time To Practice

No shocker here—practice makes perfect! It also separates casual players from the MVPs. Even if you think you’ve “got it,” the only way to hit sweet shots consistently is by putting in the work. Dedicate some time to solo practice, whether you’re perfecting individual throws or focusing on specific shots, such as blockers or slides. Set up your board in the backyard, grab a drink (optional but recommended), and start throwing. The more hours you log, the more it will pay off when it’s game time.