Cornhole: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Lawn game involving throwing bags of corn (or beans)}} |
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{{otheruses|Cornhole}} |
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{{use mdy dates|date=August 2022}} |
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''' |
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{{Other uses}} |
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{{Infobox sport |
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| name = Cornhole |
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| image = File:Cornhole, Homerville.JPG |
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| alt = |
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| imagesize = 200px |
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| caption = A typical cornhole board, with two colors of bag |
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| union = |
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| nickname = Baggo, bean bag toss, dummy boards, doghouse, dadhole, sacks, beans, beanbag, bean in the hole, ramps, bean bags |
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| first = |
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| firstlabel = |
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| region = North America |
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| registered = |
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| clubs = |
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| contact = No |
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| team = Either doubles or singles |
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| mgender = |
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| type = Outdoor |
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| equipment = |
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| venue = |
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| olympic = |
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| paralympic = |
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| obsolete = |
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}} |
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'''Cornhole''' (also known regionally as<!--If you add another name, PLEASE provide a reliable source for it--> '''sack toss''', or '''bags''') is a [[lawn game]] popular in North America in which players or teams take turns throwing fabric [[bean bag]]s at an [[Grade_(slope)|inclined]] board with a hole in its far end. The goal of the game is to score points by either landing a bag on the board (one point) or putting a bag through the hole (three points). |
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[[Image:CORNHOLE.jpg|thumb|right|Typical Cornhole Board]] |
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'''Cornhole''', also called '''Corn Toss''', is a [[game]] in which [[Player (game)|player]]s take turns pitching [[Cornhole bag|cornhole bag]]s—small bags filled with [[maize|corn]], [[sand]], or [[bean]]s—at a raised [[platform]] with a hole in the far end. These platforms are usually made with [[plywood]] or occasionally [[plastic]], and are often decorated. A corn bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the platform scores 1 point. Play continues until a player reaches the score of 21. |
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== History == |
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Regulation platforms measure {{Convert|4|ft|m|1}} × {{Convert|2|ft|m|1|abbr=on|abbr=on}}<ref name=ACA>{{cite web|url=http://www.playcornhole.org/rules.shtml|title=ACA Official Rules of Cornhole|accessdate=2008-09-13}}</ref>. However, standard tailgating platforms usually measure {{Convert|3|ft|m|1}} × {{Convert|2|ft|m|1|abbr=on|abbr=on}}<ref>http://www.donkeyballgame.com/article.cfm/id/276776</ref>, but may vary. The height of the back end is 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) from the ground while the height of the front end can vary from 2½ to 4 inches. The Cornhole platforms are set 33 feet from the inside edge of each hole (the 6 inch diameter holes are centered 9 inches in from the back) while the player can stand anywhere from no further than the back of the platform but not any closer than the front of the platform. Additionally, there must be 12 feet of vertical clearance above the playing area.<ref name=ACA/> |
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The game was first described in Heyliger de Windt's 1883 patent for "Parlor Quoits", which displays most of the features of modern cornhole, but uses a square hole.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last1=De Windt|first1=Heyliger Adams|title=US Patent 285,396 - Parlor Quoits|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US285396|website=Google Patents|access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref> [[Quoits]] is a game similar to [[Horseshoes (game)|horseshoes]], played by throwing steel rings at a metal spike. Several earlier "parlor quoits" patents had sought to re-create quoit gameplay in an indoor environment,<ref name="esnpc.blogspot.com">{{cite web|last1=Jensen-Brown|first1=Peter|title=Parlor Quoits, Bean-Bags, and Faba Baga – a History of "Cornhole" (the Game)|url=http://esnpc.blogspot.com/2016/08/parlor-quoits-bean-bags-and-faba-baga.html|website=Early Sports 'n' Pop-Culture History Blog|date=August 27, 2016 |access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref> but De Windt's was the first to use bean bags and a slanted board with a hole as the target. |
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He sold the rights to the game to a Massachusetts toy manufacturer which marketed a version of it under the name "Faba Baga".<ref name="esnpc.blogspot.com"/> Unlike modern cornhole, which has one hole and one size of bags, a Faba Baga board had two different-sized holes, worth different point values, and provided each player with one extra-large bag per round, which could score double points. |
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In September 1974, ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' magazine published an article written by Carolyn Farrell about a similar game called "bean-bag bull's-eye."<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DNUDAAAAMBAJ&pg=138 |page=138 |title=Four projects you'll find fun and handy: Bean-bag Bull's-eye |work=[[Popular Mechanics]] |date=September 1974 |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines]]}}</ref> Bean-bag bull's-eye was played on a board the same width of modern cornhole boards ({{cvt|24|in|cm|-1|disp=sqbr}}), but only {{cvt|36|in|cm|-1|disp=sqbr}} long as opposed to the {{cvt|48|in|cm|disp=sqbr}} length used in cornhole. The hole was the same diameter ({{cvt|6|in|cm|disp=sqbr}}) but was centered {{cvt|8|in|cm|disp=sqbr}} (rather than {{cvt|9|in|cm|disp=sqbr}}) from the back of the board. Each player threw two bags, weighing {{convert|8|oz|spell=in}} each, "in succession". The boards in bean-bag bull's-eye were placed "about {{cvt|30|ft|0|disp=sqbr|adj=mid|.}} apart for adults, {{cvt|10|ft|0|disp=sqbr|adj=mid|.}} for kids." Scoring was essentially the same as that used in cornhole (three points for a bag in the hole, one point for a bag remaining on the board) and also used cancellation scoring. |
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In the Chicago area, a similar game is referred to as "bags" or "bean bags," but uses rectangular bags. The game spread in Chicago, Illinois, and the Northwest region of Indiana in the late 1970s and early 1980s, perhaps due to the ''Popular Mechanics'' article mentioned above. Cornhole as it is now known originated and gained popularity on Cincinnati's west side (near Ferguson Avenue) in the 1980s and spread to surrounding areas in Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/columns/tossing-one-back3/|author=Jack Heffron|title=Tossing One Back|website=Cincinnati Magazine|date=2008-05-01}}</ref> |
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===Tournaments=== |
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[[File:4th Annual Collier Cornhole Tournament.jpg|thumb|The Collier Cornhole Tournament, held on the campus of the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]]] |
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The [[American Cornhole Organization]] (ACO) was established in 2005 by Frank Geers and is headquartered in [[Milford, Ohio]]. The ACO claims on its website to be the "governing body for the sport of cornhole".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://americancornhole.com/about/|title=About the ACO}}</ref> |
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The American Cornhole League (ACL) was founded in 2015 by Stacey Moore. According to the ACL's website, it promotes and develops cornhole as a sport on every level, and created software and apps to manage cornhole leagues, tournaments, special events, and player development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://americancornholeleague.azurewebsites.net/about|title=American Cornhole League|website=americancornholeleague.azurewebsites.net}}</ref> |
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The American Cornhole Association (ACA) is an organization whose sole mission is to help cornhole players enjoy the game of cornhole. According to its website, "[o]ne of the most important ways to achieve this goal is for people to have high-quality equipment to play on."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.playcornhole.org/collections/cornhole-boards|title=Cornhole Boards | Official Cornhole Boards | Regulation Cornhole Board|website=American Cornhole Association}}</ref> Accordingly, the ACA is largely focused on selling cornhole-related products and equipment rather than acting as a sanctioning body of the sport; however, it does have its own rules and does sponsor events. |
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== Rules and format == |
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=== Equipment and court layout === |
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Cornhole matches are played with two sets of four bags (eight total), two boards and two, four, or eight players.<ref name="ACO-Rules">{{cite web |title=Official Rules for the Sport of Cornhole|url=https://americancornhole.com/rules/|website=American Cornhole Organization}}</ref><ref name="ACO">{{Cite web|url=https://mysqlvm.blob.core.windows.net/acl-docs/ACL-Rules-Regs-2019-2020.pdf|title=American Cornhole League Rules}}</ref> |
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There are four bags to a set. Each set of bags should be distinguishable from the other, usually by using different colors. The American Cornhole League's rules call for double-seamed fabric bags measuring {{convert|6|by|6|in}} and weighing {{convert|15.5|to|16.5|oz}}.<ref name="ACO" /> Although bags used to be filled with preserved corn kernels (hence "cornhole") or dried beans, the American Cornhole Organization developed bags filled with plastic resin or other materials that will maintain a consistent weight and shape over many throws without deforming.<ref name="ACO-Rules" /> Bags are usually dual-sided, with each side of the bag being a different material that can affect grip and react faster or slower on the board's surface. Faster bags are often preferred in humid conditions when bags will not slide as readily. Additionally, professional players may opt for different materials depending on their personal throwing styles. Players with a lower, faster throw may use more rotation and prefer a slower bag material, whereas players with higher, slower throws may use less rotation and prefer a more reactive bag. |
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As per the American Cornhole Organization Rules, each board is {{convert|2|by|4|ft}}, with a {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=mid|-diameter}} hole.<ref name="ACO-Rules" /> The hole's center is positioned {{convert|9|in}} down from the center of the top edge of the board. Each board is angled with the top edge of the playing surface {{convert|12|in}} above the ground, and the bottom edge {{convert|3|-|4|in}} above the ground. A standard court places the two boards {{convert|33|ft}} or {{convert|27|ft}} apart, measuring from the bottom edge of the boards. Different (usually shorter) distances may be used if space is limited or if younger players are participating.<ref name="ACO-Rules" /><ref name="ACO" /> Some smaller versions of the game, with scaled-down boards, bags, and holes are available specifically for children. |
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The areas immediately to the left and right of the boards are the pitcher's boxes. The line (either drawn or imaginary) extending from the bottom edge of the board in both the left and right direction is the foul line. When throwing the bags, players cannot step past the foul line or else the throw does not count. |
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== Rules == |
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=== Gameplay === |
=== Gameplay === |
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[[File:16014-event-First Tailgate-4376 (20628755893).jpg|175px|thumb|Cornhole being played during a pre-game [[tailgate party]] at [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]]. The player behind the board is not conforming to standard rules for official gameplay because she is not throwing the bag from inside either pitcher’s box.]] |
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Cornhole matches are broken down into innings (or frames) of play. During each inning, every player throws four bags. A player may deliver the bag from either the left or right pitcher's box, but, in any one inning, all bags must be delivered from the same pitcher’s box. Each player must deliver the bag within twenty seconds. The time starts when the player steps onto the pitcher’s box with the intention of pitching. The player who scored in the preceding inning pitches first in the next inning. If neither pitcher scores, the contestant or team who pitched last in the preceding inning pitches first in the next inning. |
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A cornhole match is separated into innings (or frames). During each inning, each player or team will throw their designated four bags. The manner in which the bags are thrown depends on which format of cornhole is being played: singles (1 vs. 1), doubles (2 vs. 2), or crew (4 vs. 4). |
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Cornhole can be played as either doubles or singles. In doubles play, four players split into two teams. One member from each team pitches from one cornhole platform and the other members pitch from the other. The first side of players alternate pitching bags until both players have thrown all four of their bags, then the players pitching from the opposing cornhole board continue to alternate in the same manner until all four of their bags are delivered and the inning or frame is completed. In singles play, two players play against each other. Delivery is handled in the same manner as doubles play. Both contestants pitch from the same cornhole platform and alternate their pitches until all of their bags have been pitched, completing the inning or frame.<ref name=ACA/> |
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In singles (1 vs. 1), both players throw their four bags while standing on opposite sides of the same board (left vs. right pitcher's box), alternating throws between the two players. After all eight bags are thrown, both players walk to the opposite board, while remaining in their lane, to tally the score. To begin the next inning, both players turn around to throw at the other board in the same manner. The effect of this is that by always staying in their respective lane, the two players will alternate each inning throwing from the left vs. right pitcher's box.<ref name="ACO-Rules" /><ref name="ACO" /> |
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In doubles (2 vs. 2), one partner from each team stands in the left pitcher's box of one board while the other partner stands in the right pitcher's box of the opposite board. Thus, each team's partners are on opposite ends, facing each other, both in the same lane. From here, gameplay is similar to singles: the two opponents at one board alternate throwing their four bags at the other board, after which a mid-inning score is tallied; then their partners at that board alternate throwing their team's four bags back at the other board, after which the final inning score can be tallied. In doubles, players may not change sides, i.e. one partner will throw from the left pitcher's box of one board and the other from the right pitcher's box of the other board for the entire game. |
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In the crew format (4 vs. 4), play is identical to doubles, but with two teammates at each of the two boards, one pair in the left pitcher's box of one board and the other pair in the right pitcher's box of the opposite board, each pair facing each other, in the same lane. Instead of each partner pitching four bags per inning (as in doubles), in crew each teammate pitches two bags per inning, again alternating throws both with the opposing team (as in singles and doubles) and with the player's teammate who is standing with them at the same board. |
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Note that in doubles and crew, the score for any inning is based on eight throws per team, as opposed to four throws per player in singles. |
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In all formats, the pitcher must throw the bag within 20 seconds. The time begins when the pitcher is inside the pitcher's box with an intent to throw. The first pitch of an inning goes to whichever player or team scored in the previous inning. If neither player or team scored in the previous inning, then whichever pitched first in the previous inning will again pitch first in the next inning. The first pitch of the first inning can be decided by a coin toss. |
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A legal pitch must be tossed while the pitcher's feet are within the pitcher's box. If the pitcher begins the throw with a foot beyond the foul line or otherwise steps beyond the foul line before releasing the bag, the pitch is a foul and does not count. A foul throw cannot be re-taken and the bag is removed from play before continuing. If a foul bag moves other bags in the field of play, those bags are returned to their prior position before continuing, including if a bag was moved into the hole. If a bag lands only partially on the board and is also touching the ground, it does not count and is removed before continuing. |
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=== Scoring === |
=== Scoring === |
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To score points, bags must be on the surface of the board or fall through the hole. To score three points, a bag may fall directly into the hole, slide into the hole after hitting the board, or be knocked into the hole by another bag. A bag remaining on the board scores one point.<ref name="ACO-Rules" /><ref name=":0" /> A bag partially on the board and partially on the ground ("dirt bag") does not count and should be removed before the next throw. |
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In cornhole, cancellation scoring is used. When the scores are tallied at the end of an inning, whichever player or team scores higher is awarded points equal to the difference between both sides. For example, if Team A scores 12 points in an inning and Team B scores 10 points, then Team A is awarded two points (12 minus 10); whereas if Team A and Team B both score 12 points, the difference is zero, and no one scores. Play continues until one player or team reaches or exceeds 21 points at the end of an inning. By using cancellation scoring, it is only possible for one side (or neither side) to score in any inning, so match ties are impossible. |
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=== Length of the game === |
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A cornhole match is played until the first player or team reaches or exceeds twenty-one points at the completion of an inning. However, many play by the rule that states if a player or team goes over twenty-one, they go back to the amount they started with at the beginning of the last round. The match usually can not end in the middle of an inning. Thus, if a team that pitches first reaches or exceeds twenty-one points, the game does not end until the other side is allowed to pitch all of their bags and the inning is completed.<ref name=ACA/> |
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Different variations in scoring or house rules are sometimes used. Sometimes, a bag hanging over the hole, but which has not fallen through, is scored as two points. Other variations include requiring one team to reach exactly 21 points without going over to win. If a team exceeds 21 points after an inning (called "busting"), different punishments might be used such as automatically returning to 15 points, returning to the team's prior score, returning to the prior score minus one, etc. In some versions, if a team "busts" three times, their opponents automatically win the match. |
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=== Optional rules === |
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With the expansion of the game, several optional rules have been created. The following is a list of some of the more wide spread ones:<ref name=ACA/> |
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*Sacks & Holes version: a bag touching the ground is not removed before play continues, and a later bag whose momentum is stopped by a grounded bag may score points. |
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*If a player gets all four bags in the hole, it is an automatic twenty points and the player wins. |
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*If the bag goes in without touching anything, it is worth five points. |
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*Reamer: if a bag lands on the edge of the hole, but stops without going in, its worth two points. It can become three points if another bag knocks it the rest of the way in the hole. |
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*The JP Rule: the match is played until the first team of contestants reaches exactly twenty-one points at the completion of a frame. If the team exceeds twenty-one points, their score will be reset to thirteen points. |
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*Fraternity League: If the team's score at the end of a frame is thirteen points, that team's score is reset to zero. The JP Rule is then modified to reset to fourteen points when a team exceeds twenty-one points. |
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=== Strategy === |
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Gameplay strategy varies by player and skill level. At the professional level, players can easily slide all four bags into the hole if no bag blocks the path. Defensive strategies are often employed to slow down gameplay or force opponents to make difficult decisions. Defensive plays might include throwing a blocker bag that rests in front of the hole, thereby forcing an opponent to either slide through the blocker bag to reach the hole, throw another blocker behind the bag, or attempt a risky airmail shot over the bag aiming directly for the hole without touching the board. Bags can be made out of different materials to help strategies such as the blocker bag be easier to execute.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-01 |title=How to Throw Cornhole – Tips, Technique, and Strategy |url=https://cornholeofficial.com/cornhole-techniques/ |access-date=2024-07-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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The following is a list of terms commonly used in a cornhole game :<ref name=CornholeTips>{{cite web|url=http://cornholetips.com/cornhole-lingo/|title=Cornhole Lingo|accessdate=2008-09-16}}</ref> |
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; Ace or Cow Pie : A bag lands on the board, which is worth one point. |
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; Cornhole or Drain "O" : A bag falls in the hole, which is worth three points. |
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; Slider : A cornhole that slides into the hole. |
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; Blocker : An ace that lands in front of the hole, essentially blocking the hole from sliders. |
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; Back Door : A cornhole that goes over the top of a blocker and into the hole. |
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; Hanger : An ace on the lip of the hole ready to drop. |
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; Honors : The team who tosses first, resulting from the team scoring last. |
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; Dirty Bag : A bag that is on the ground or is hanging off the board touching the ground. |
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; Sally or Corn Patty : A toss that is thrown too weakly and lands on the ground before reaching the board. |
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; Gusher or Double Deuce : Four cornholes by a single player in a single round. |
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; Skunk : A game that, by some rules, ends in an 11-0 score. |
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; Backstop : A bag that lands past the cornhole but remains on the board creating a backboard for a slider to knock into without going off the board. |
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; Jumper : A bag that strikes another bag on the board causing it to jump up into the cornhole. |
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; Hooker : A bag hitting the board and hooking or curving around a blocker and going on the hole. |
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; Cornfusion : When players or teams cannot agree on the scoring of a given inning. |
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; Police : The cornhole referee. |
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; Shucker : When a player pitches a bag and it strikes an opposing players bag knocking it off the board. |
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There are many types of shots that players use depending on the situation. The slide shot is one of the most basic shots and is when a bag lands on the bottom two thirds of the board and slides into the hole. Another shot used is the blocker bag as mentioned above along with an airmail. A more complicated shot is the bully bag where a player will push their opponent's bag away from the hole either to the left or right well keeping their own bag in line with the hole making it difficult for the opponent to get their bag into the hole. The rolling shot is another technique that allows the player to "rollover" any bags blocking the hole such as a blocker, although this shot is more complicated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beyond the Basics Pt. 2 - Types of Cornhole Shots |url=https://www.playcornhole.org/blogs/play-cornhole/beyond-the-basics-pt-2-types-of-cornhole-shots |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=American Cornhole Association |language=en}}</ref> |
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== References in the media == |
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During his [[February 6]], [[2007]], episode of ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' on [[Comedy Central]], [[Stephen Colbert]] mentioned a cornhole tournament that takes place each year in [[Ohio]]'s 18th Congressional District, with the District and its Representative [[Zack Space]] being the focus of the segment. Colbert described the game as a "cross between horseshoes and [[sodomy]],"<ref>http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/81832/february-06-2007/better-know-a-district---ohio-s-18th---zack-space</ref> jokingly referring to the more widely known connotation of "cornhole".<ref>http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cornhole</ref> |
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Practicing and perfecting these shots allows players to be prepared and ready for any strategies their opponents throw at them. Knowing when to utilize each shot is an important part of the game and can help aid players of all skill levels. |
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=== Competitive Player Ranking === |
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The American Cornhole Organization ranks amateur and professional cornhole players through their World Rankings. Players are world ranked by division, including Singles, Doubles, Womens, Seniors and Juniors. <ref name="ACO-Rankings">{{cite web |title=Cornhole World Rankings|url=https://americancornhole.com/rankings/|website=American Cornhole Organization}}</ref> |
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The [[American Cornhole League]] ranks their players based off of points earned through local and regional tournaments. The points earned per tournament are based on the level of play. These levels include open, advanced, competitive, intermediate and novice with open providing the most points based on placement. Points are also used to determine the pros of the ACL.<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Cornhole League |url=https://www.iplaycornhole.com/rules-regs |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=www.iplaycornhole.com}}</ref> |
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== Terminology == |
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<!-- Please include a reference for any addition to this list. --> |
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The following is a list of terms commonly used in cornhole: |
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* Airmail: a bag that does not slide or bounce on the board but goes directly into the hole, usually over an opponent's blocker bag. |
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* Back door, jumper, dirty rollup: a bag that goes over the top of a blocker and into the hole.<ref name="CornholeTips">{{cite web|url=http://cornholetips.com/cornhole-lingo|title=Cornhole Lingo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213095618/http://cornholetips.com/cornhole-lingo|archive-date=February 13, 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=2008-09-16}}</ref><ref name="Enquirer">{{cite web|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/10/20/tem_monlede20side3.html|title=By any name, game's appeal spreading quickly|author=Shauna Scott Rhone|access-date=2008-10-10}}</ref> |
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* Backstop: a bag that lands past the hole but remains on the board creating a backboard for a slider to knock into without going off the board.<ref name=CornholeTips/> |
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* Blocker: a bag that lands in front of the hole, blocking the hole from an opponent's slide shot.<ref name=CornholeTips/><ref name=Enquirer/> |
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* Busting: an unofficial rule that sends a player's score back down to a predetermined number if their score at the end of an inning exceeds 21.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Learn How to Play Cornhole|url=https://cornholecentral.com/cornhole-rules-scoring/|access-date=2021-01-15|website=Cornhole Central}}</ref> |
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* Cornfusion: when players or teams cannot agree on the scoring of an inning.<ref name=CornholeTips/> |
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* Cornhole: a bag that falls in the hole and is worth three points. Also known as a Drano, named for [[Drano|a drain-clearing product]];<ref name="CornholeTips" /> and as a Cornholio, named after the [[Beavis#Cornholio|alter-ego of the character Beavis]] from ''[[Beavis and Butt-Head]]''. |
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* Dirt bag: a bag that is on the ground or is hanging off the board and touching the ground.<ref name=Enquirer/> |
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* Frame: an inning, a single round during which a player or team and their opponent(s) all throw their bags. |
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* Four-bagger: when a single player gets four bags in the hole in a single round. The bags can be knocked or pushed in by a player as well as their opponent as long as all four of the player's bags go in the hole. |
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* Grand bag: when a player makes all four bags in the hole directly, one after another, during an inning; differs from a four-bagger in that a bag is not later knocked from the board's surface into the hole during the inning. |
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* Flop bag, floppy bag: type of toss that does not spin the bag horizontally or vertically, a bag without rotation or spin.<ref name="CornholeMart">{{cite web|url=http://cornholemart.com/cornhole-terms|title=Cornhole Terminology|access-date=2016-02-28}}</ref> |
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* Hammer: when one or more hangers (see below) are around the hole, a hammer can be used; a hammer is a bag thrown as an airmail bag with a high arc in an attempt to move hanger bags into the hole along with it. |
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* Hanger: a bag on the lip of the hole close to falling in.<ref name=CornholeTips/><ref name=Enquirer/> |
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* Honors: the player or team who tosses first, resulting from the team scoring in the previous inning or winning the coin toss before the first inning.<ref name=Enquirer/> |
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* Hooker: a bag that hits the board and while hooking or curving around a blocker goes into the hole.<ref name=CornholeTips/> |
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* Jumper: a bag that strikes another bag on the board causing it to jump up and into the hole.<ref name=CornholeTips/> |
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* Push, wash: when each player or team obtains an identical score in an inning resulting in no overall score change. |
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* Short bag: when a bag lands on the ground just before the board.<ref name=CornholeMart/> |
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* Skunk, whitewash, shutout: a game that ends in a score of 21 (or more) to zero; by some unofficial rules a game may be called once a shutout score of at least 11–0 is reached.<ref name="CornholeTips" /><ref name="Enquirer" /> |
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* Slide, slider: a bag that lands in front of the hole and slides in.<ref name="CornholeTips" /><ref name="Enquirer" /> |
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* Swish: a bag that goes directly in the hole without touching the board (see also: "airmail").<ref name=Enquirer/> |
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* Woody: any bag that has been pitched and remains on the board's surface at the end of the inning (scoring one point). |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[Lawn darts]] |
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*[[American Cornhole Organization]], a company that sanctions cornhole leagues and tournaments. |
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* [[Muckers (game)|Muckers]] |
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*[[Horseshoes]], a game similar to cornhole. |
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* [[Ladder toss]] |
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*[[Lawn game]], a list of other lawn games. |
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* [[Washer pitching]] |
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* [[Tejo (sport) | Tejo]] |
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* [[Mölkky]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Commons category}} |
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{{Reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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[http://www.playcornhole.org American Cornhole Association website] |
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[[Category:Lawn games]] |
[[Category:Lawn games]] |
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[[Category:Sports originating in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Throwing games]] |
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[[he:קורנהול (משחק)]] |
Latest revision as of 16:27, 15 November 2024
Cornhole (also known regionally as sack toss, or bags) is a lawn game popular in North America in which players or teams take turns throwing fabric bean bags at an inclined board with a hole in its far end. The goal of the game is to score points by either landing a bag on the board (one point) or putting a bag through the hole (three points).
History
[edit]The game was first described in Heyliger de Windt's 1883 patent for "Parlor Quoits", which displays most of the features of modern cornhole, but uses a square hole.[1] Quoits is a game similar to horseshoes, played by throwing steel rings at a metal spike. Several earlier "parlor quoits" patents had sought to re-create quoit gameplay in an indoor environment,[2] but De Windt's was the first to use bean bags and a slanted board with a hole as the target.
He sold the rights to the game to a Massachusetts toy manufacturer which marketed a version of it under the name "Faba Baga".[2] Unlike modern cornhole, which has one hole and one size of bags, a Faba Baga board had two different-sized holes, worth different point values, and provided each player with one extra-large bag per round, which could score double points.
In September 1974, Popular Mechanics magazine published an article written by Carolyn Farrell about a similar game called "bean-bag bull's-eye."[3] Bean-bag bull's-eye was played on a board the same width of modern cornhole boards (24 in [60 cm]), but only 36 in [90 cm] long as opposed to the 48 in [120 cm] length used in cornhole. The hole was the same diameter (6 in [15 cm]) but was centered 8 in [20 cm] (rather than 9 in [23 cm]) from the back of the board. Each player threw two bags, weighing eight ounces (230 g) each, "in succession". The boards in bean-bag bull's-eye were placed "about 30 ft . [9 m] apart for adults, 10 ft . [3 m] for kids." Scoring was essentially the same as that used in cornhole (three points for a bag in the hole, one point for a bag remaining on the board) and also used cancellation scoring.
In the Chicago area, a similar game is referred to as "bags" or "bean bags," but uses rectangular bags. The game spread in Chicago, Illinois, and the Northwest region of Indiana in the late 1970s and early 1980s, perhaps due to the Popular Mechanics article mentioned above. Cornhole as it is now known originated and gained popularity on Cincinnati's west side (near Ferguson Avenue) in the 1980s and spread to surrounding areas in Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.[4]
Tournaments
[edit]The American Cornhole Organization (ACO) was established in 2005 by Frank Geers and is headquartered in Milford, Ohio. The ACO claims on its website to be the "governing body for the sport of cornhole".[5]
The American Cornhole League (ACL) was founded in 2015 by Stacey Moore. According to the ACL's website, it promotes and develops cornhole as a sport on every level, and created software and apps to manage cornhole leagues, tournaments, special events, and player development.[6]
The American Cornhole Association (ACA) is an organization whose sole mission is to help cornhole players enjoy the game of cornhole. According to its website, "[o]ne of the most important ways to achieve this goal is for people to have high-quality equipment to play on."[7] Accordingly, the ACA is largely focused on selling cornhole-related products and equipment rather than acting as a sanctioning body of the sport; however, it does have its own rules and does sponsor events.
Rules and format
[edit]Equipment and court layout
[edit]Cornhole matches are played with two sets of four bags (eight total), two boards and two, four, or eight players.[8][9]
There are four bags to a set. Each set of bags should be distinguishable from the other, usually by using different colors. The American Cornhole League's rules call for double-seamed fabric bags measuring 6 by 6 inches (150 by 150 mm) and weighing 15.5 to 16.5 ounces (440 to 470 g).[9] Although bags used to be filled with preserved corn kernels (hence "cornhole") or dried beans, the American Cornhole Organization developed bags filled with plastic resin or other materials that will maintain a consistent weight and shape over many throws without deforming.[8] Bags are usually dual-sided, with each side of the bag being a different material that can affect grip and react faster or slower on the board's surface. Faster bags are often preferred in humid conditions when bags will not slide as readily. Additionally, professional players may opt for different materials depending on their personal throwing styles. Players with a lower, faster throw may use more rotation and prefer a slower bag material, whereas players with higher, slower throws may use less rotation and prefer a more reactive bag.
As per the American Cornhole Organization Rules, each board is 2 by 4 feet (0.61 by 1.22 m), with a 6-inch-diameter (15 cm) hole.[8] The hole's center is positioned 9 inches (230 mm) down from the center of the top edge of the board. Each board is angled with the top edge of the playing surface 12 inches (300 mm) above the ground, and the bottom edge 3–4 inches (76–102 mm) above the ground. A standard court places the two boards 33 feet (10 m) or 27 feet (8.2 m) apart, measuring from the bottom edge of the boards. Different (usually shorter) distances may be used if space is limited or if younger players are participating.[8][9] Some smaller versions of the game, with scaled-down boards, bags, and holes are available specifically for children.
The areas immediately to the left and right of the boards are the pitcher's boxes. The line (either drawn or imaginary) extending from the bottom edge of the board in both the left and right direction is the foul line. When throwing the bags, players cannot step past the foul line or else the throw does not count.
Gameplay
[edit]A cornhole match is separated into innings (or frames). During each inning, each player or team will throw their designated four bags. The manner in which the bags are thrown depends on which format of cornhole is being played: singles (1 vs. 1), doubles (2 vs. 2), or crew (4 vs. 4).
In singles (1 vs. 1), both players throw their four bags while standing on opposite sides of the same board (left vs. right pitcher's box), alternating throws between the two players. After all eight bags are thrown, both players walk to the opposite board, while remaining in their lane, to tally the score. To begin the next inning, both players turn around to throw at the other board in the same manner. The effect of this is that by always staying in their respective lane, the two players will alternate each inning throwing from the left vs. right pitcher's box.[8][9]
In doubles (2 vs. 2), one partner from each team stands in the left pitcher's box of one board while the other partner stands in the right pitcher's box of the opposite board. Thus, each team's partners are on opposite ends, facing each other, both in the same lane. From here, gameplay is similar to singles: the two opponents at one board alternate throwing their four bags at the other board, after which a mid-inning score is tallied; then their partners at that board alternate throwing their team's four bags back at the other board, after which the final inning score can be tallied. In doubles, players may not change sides, i.e. one partner will throw from the left pitcher's box of one board and the other from the right pitcher's box of the other board for the entire game.
In the crew format (4 vs. 4), play is identical to doubles, but with two teammates at each of the two boards, one pair in the left pitcher's box of one board and the other pair in the right pitcher's box of the opposite board, each pair facing each other, in the same lane. Instead of each partner pitching four bags per inning (as in doubles), in crew each teammate pitches two bags per inning, again alternating throws both with the opposing team (as in singles and doubles) and with the player's teammate who is standing with them at the same board.
Note that in doubles and crew, the score for any inning is based on eight throws per team, as opposed to four throws per player in singles.
In all formats, the pitcher must throw the bag within 20 seconds. The time begins when the pitcher is inside the pitcher's box with an intent to throw. The first pitch of an inning goes to whichever player or team scored in the previous inning. If neither player or team scored in the previous inning, then whichever pitched first in the previous inning will again pitch first in the next inning. The first pitch of the first inning can be decided by a coin toss.
A legal pitch must be tossed while the pitcher's feet are within the pitcher's box. If the pitcher begins the throw with a foot beyond the foul line or otherwise steps beyond the foul line before releasing the bag, the pitch is a foul and does not count. A foul throw cannot be re-taken and the bag is removed from play before continuing. If a foul bag moves other bags in the field of play, those bags are returned to their prior position before continuing, including if a bag was moved into the hole. If a bag lands only partially on the board and is also touching the ground, it does not count and is removed before continuing.
Scoring
[edit]To score points, bags must be on the surface of the board or fall through the hole. To score three points, a bag may fall directly into the hole, slide into the hole after hitting the board, or be knocked into the hole by another bag. A bag remaining on the board scores one point.[8][1] A bag partially on the board and partially on the ground ("dirt bag") does not count and should be removed before the next throw.
In cornhole, cancellation scoring is used. When the scores are tallied at the end of an inning, whichever player or team scores higher is awarded points equal to the difference between both sides. For example, if Team A scores 12 points in an inning and Team B scores 10 points, then Team A is awarded two points (12 minus 10); whereas if Team A and Team B both score 12 points, the difference is zero, and no one scores. Play continues until one player or team reaches or exceeds 21 points at the end of an inning. By using cancellation scoring, it is only possible for one side (or neither side) to score in any inning, so match ties are impossible.
Different variations in scoring or house rules are sometimes used. Sometimes, a bag hanging over the hole, but which has not fallen through, is scored as two points. Other variations include requiring one team to reach exactly 21 points without going over to win. If a team exceeds 21 points after an inning (called "busting"), different punishments might be used such as automatically returning to 15 points, returning to the team's prior score, returning to the prior score minus one, etc. In some versions, if a team "busts" three times, their opponents automatically win the match.
Strategy
[edit]Gameplay strategy varies by player and skill level. At the professional level, players can easily slide all four bags into the hole if no bag blocks the path. Defensive strategies are often employed to slow down gameplay or force opponents to make difficult decisions. Defensive plays might include throwing a blocker bag that rests in front of the hole, thereby forcing an opponent to either slide through the blocker bag to reach the hole, throw another blocker behind the bag, or attempt a risky airmail shot over the bag aiming directly for the hole without touching the board. Bags can be made out of different materials to help strategies such as the blocker bag be easier to execute.[10]
There are many types of shots that players use depending on the situation. The slide shot is one of the most basic shots and is when a bag lands on the bottom two thirds of the board and slides into the hole. Another shot used is the blocker bag as mentioned above along with an airmail. A more complicated shot is the bully bag where a player will push their opponent's bag away from the hole either to the left or right well keeping their own bag in line with the hole making it difficult for the opponent to get their bag into the hole. The rolling shot is another technique that allows the player to "rollover" any bags blocking the hole such as a blocker, although this shot is more complicated.[11]
Practicing and perfecting these shots allows players to be prepared and ready for any strategies their opponents throw at them. Knowing when to utilize each shot is an important part of the game and can help aid players of all skill levels.
Competitive Player Ranking
[edit]The American Cornhole Organization ranks amateur and professional cornhole players through their World Rankings. Players are world ranked by division, including Singles, Doubles, Womens, Seniors and Juniors. [12]
The American Cornhole League ranks their players based off of points earned through local and regional tournaments. The points earned per tournament are based on the level of play. These levels include open, advanced, competitive, intermediate and novice with open providing the most points based on placement. Points are also used to determine the pros of the ACL.[13]
Terminology
[edit]The following is a list of terms commonly used in cornhole:
- Airmail: a bag that does not slide or bounce on the board but goes directly into the hole, usually over an opponent's blocker bag.
- Back door, jumper, dirty rollup: a bag that goes over the top of a blocker and into the hole.[14][15]
- Backstop: a bag that lands past the hole but remains on the board creating a backboard for a slider to knock into without going off the board.[14]
- Blocker: a bag that lands in front of the hole, blocking the hole from an opponent's slide shot.[14][15]
- Busting: an unofficial rule that sends a player's score back down to a predetermined number if their score at the end of an inning exceeds 21.[16]
- Cornfusion: when players or teams cannot agree on the scoring of an inning.[14]
- Cornhole: a bag that falls in the hole and is worth three points. Also known as a Drano, named for a drain-clearing product;[14] and as a Cornholio, named after the alter-ego of the character Beavis from Beavis and Butt-Head.
- Dirt bag: a bag that is on the ground or is hanging off the board and touching the ground.[15]
- Frame: an inning, a single round during which a player or team and their opponent(s) all throw their bags.
- Four-bagger: when a single player gets four bags in the hole in a single round. The bags can be knocked or pushed in by a player as well as their opponent as long as all four of the player's bags go in the hole.
- Grand bag: when a player makes all four bags in the hole directly, one after another, during an inning; differs from a four-bagger in that a bag is not later knocked from the board's surface into the hole during the inning.
- Flop bag, floppy bag: type of toss that does not spin the bag horizontally or vertically, a bag without rotation or spin.[17]
- Hammer: when one or more hangers (see below) are around the hole, a hammer can be used; a hammer is a bag thrown as an airmail bag with a high arc in an attempt to move hanger bags into the hole along with it.
- Hanger: a bag on the lip of the hole close to falling in.[14][15]
- Honors: the player or team who tosses first, resulting from the team scoring in the previous inning or winning the coin toss before the first inning.[15]
- Hooker: a bag that hits the board and while hooking or curving around a blocker goes into the hole.[14]
- Jumper: a bag that strikes another bag on the board causing it to jump up and into the hole.[14]
- Push, wash: when each player or team obtains an identical score in an inning resulting in no overall score change.
- Short bag: when a bag lands on the ground just before the board.[17]
- Skunk, whitewash, shutout: a game that ends in a score of 21 (or more) to zero; by some unofficial rules a game may be called once a shutout score of at least 11–0 is reached.[14][15]
- Slide, slider: a bag that lands in front of the hole and slides in.[14][15]
- Swish: a bag that goes directly in the hole without touching the board (see also: "airmail").[15]
- Woody: any bag that has been pitched and remains on the board's surface at the end of the inning (scoring one point).
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b De Windt, Heyliger Adams. "US Patent 285,396 - Parlor Quoits". Google Patents. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
- ^ a b Jensen-Brown, Peter (August 27, 2016). "Parlor Quoits, Bean-Bags, and Faba Baga – a History of "Cornhole" (the Game)". Early Sports 'n' Pop-Culture History Blog. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
- ^ "Four projects you'll find fun and handy: Bean-bag Bull's-eye". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. September 1974. p. 138.
- ^ Jack Heffron (May 1, 2008). "Tossing One Back". Cincinnati Magazine.
- ^ "About the ACO".
- ^ "American Cornhole League". americancornholeleague.azurewebsites.net.
- ^ "Cornhole Boards | Official Cornhole Boards | Regulation Cornhole Board". American Cornhole Association.
- ^ a b c d e f "Official Rules for the Sport of Cornhole". American Cornhole Organization.
- ^ a b c d "American Cornhole League Rules" (PDF).
- ^ "How to Throw Cornhole – Tips, Technique, and Strategy". May 1, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ "Beyond the Basics Pt. 2 - Types of Cornhole Shots". American Cornhole Association. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ "Cornhole World Rankings". American Cornhole Organization.
- ^ "American Cornhole League". www.iplaycornhole.com. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Cornhole Lingo". Archived from the original on February 13, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Shauna Scott Rhone. "By any name, game's appeal spreading quickly". Retrieved October 10, 2008.
- ^ "Learn How to Play Cornhole". Cornhole Central. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "Cornhole Terminology". Retrieved February 28, 2016.