Cornhole Release Close Up

A close up view of the release of the bag. This video takes a closer look at the release of the bag to help you improve your technique.

[@marcflauto8942]

this video single-handedly helped me go from a decent cornhole player to a great one. now im better than all my friends. i hope they dont look this video up. thanks joe!!!

[@Joe2Jock]

Glad it helped Marc!

[@timb7328]

Same here, watched this then went home and had an immediate improvement.

[@nickinspiredincompetence5429]

I have been looking for a video like this for awhile now. great breakdown

[@cathybassett9592]

the best demonstration ever. I have used your technique as a beginner and winning games!

[@Joe2Jock]

Thank you! Glad it's working :-)

[@realtruth4804]

This video made me decide to replace my lawn with gravel. Man I hate mowing!

[@rlplayer7235]

I'm pretty new to cornhole, and this helped, thanks.

[@bobluis8096]

I agree,, this is one of the best produced videos taking the time and effort to actual show detail and explain what is going on. Great camera work!

[@Joe2Jock]

Thanks Bob!

[@JohnReibling]

Great job Joe. Very helpful!

[@JosSliv]

Well done Joe. Excellent video with very clear explanations.

[@Joe2Jock]

Thanks - I appreciate it!

[@princedotson9583]

Started playing 6 years ago and I’m finally at a point were I’m ready to join so tournaments hopefully go pro

[@treyfisse3230]

As long as you like to drink and throw bags...you’re in

[@bradleylichy]

Good for you man you can do it stay positive and you can be a champion I suck at cornhole

[@torchdragon4803]

I've never played and entered myself in a tournament 😅 today for 5$ and prize of 150 lol

[@detroitlionspistonstigersr6735]

White people at work got me playing this game its fun as hell lmao...they kept saying it's a white people sport it's fun man

[@princedotson9583]

@@detroitlionspistonstigersr6735 same here. I sucked when I first started. Started watch cornhole on ESPN and figured it out and not to brag but I’m pretty nice now lol

[@slamdragonsok5296]

That’s the cream of the crop right there. stance / grip / release

[@timb7328]

Very nice and very helpful. GREAT VIDEO!!! My throws were always erratic, flipping, landing on its side but then nice and flat...After watching this video I concentrated on getting my palm to face up....went home and tried like you said and now Im getting nice flat bags with a slow rotation. Thank you very much, I will never be a big time competitive thrower but with some more practice I will have neighborhood bragging rights lol

[@Joe2Jock]

Glad it helped!

[@MrPada1641]

This video helped me so much..I hope you make more cornhole videos

[@Joe2Jock]

Glad it helped Roman!

[@JT-jn4mf]

great video!!!! thanks man

[@travismullinix]

I love bags, but suck. Just never could figure out a good way to throw. Why did I never look up videos before? Ugh. Gave this method a try. My first 8 bags didn't go well, so re-watched the video and realized I didn't do it quite right at first. Threw maybe 8 bags probably 10 more times after, and I'd say this technique instantly improved my shot. There are still some throws that are too short or the release is off so those are a bit wild, but overall I was hitting more bags on the board and more in the hole than I typically do. I'm anxious to practice more.

[@Joe2Jock]

Glad it helped!

[@craigpinto3577]

Thanks wife and I are in a Cornhole social league and we haven’t won a game yet. I am struggling with just Everything from the stance to getting the bag on board

[@timothyward7381]

I been playing for a year and finally getting 4 in the hole only thing u need to work on hardcore is ur power consistency flat bag and grip

[@coolazznicca]

Great video My toss is more of horseshoe toss I'm Been trying to fix it.

[@tyraehoward4714]

Best video I've seen. Literally step by step on technique. What about grip? I see your fingers of course but would love for you to elaborate a bit on should you be gripping underneath tightly or fairly loose?

[@Joe2Jock]

Thanks Tyrae. Definitely pretty loose. To me this is like tossing a softball or swinging a golf club. If you grip too tight that tension creates jerkiness and errors in direction and distance. 1-5 scale, 1 being lightest grip and 5 tightest I'm probably 1.5 :-)

[@evanstanley5864]

Great video. can you talk about different trajectories and why the trajectory is fit for a certain type of shot and vice vera.. played cornhole maybe 5 times in my life too smh so any more advice would be dope!

[@Joe2Jock]

I appreciate it Evan - I'll see if I can get some more trajectory stuff up there! I've got a number of other sports I've got to get going too :-)

[@Stoetz]

Can you do a video on how to do a bounce or a roll shot. I’ve seen pros land short of a blocker and basically roll vertically over the blocking bag. Absolutely no idea how they get these results as it looks flat all the way through the air

[@Joe2Jock]

Hi Stoetz, do be honest that's one shot I don't have in my arsenal, and I'm not sure how they do it either. I'd say it likely has to do with having a pretty sticky sticky side on your bags and a fairly fast pace to the throw so the front edge really grabs when it hits and the momentum carries the back edge over. And I'm sure the leading edge of the bag is either slightly more down or up than normal. I'll see if I can work on it and report back!

[@AngelBearOH]

I'm experienced with throwing a Frisbee underhanded, so that helps me with my release.

[@Joe2Jock]

Yep, feels very similar!

[@michaelminnie8925]

I have the hardest time going in between keeping the right wrist firm and keeping the bag flat throughout the backswing, vs letting the wrist relax and have the bag vertical or at a 45 degree angle. Ughhh. Great video showing 45 degrees. I’ve been missing a lot to the right and am still line driving my shots, so I’m trying to fix that.

[@Joe2Jock]

If you're missing right keep an eye on the line that your throwing arm swings back, and of course how your hand releases. If you are right-handed and your right arm swings back too far inward - behind your body, it's easy to miss right. And yeah it's tough to keep the wrist relaxed as you swing forward while getting it into the right position release the bag freely!

[@michaelminnie8925]

Joe2Jock I was doing the same thing with bowling. Bringing the ball too far behind me and I’d miss right. Good thought process. Thanks for the tip. You’re the man!

[@michaelminnie8925]

Now I just have to get my shots up. I throw such a low line drive shot. I put a bag right in front and practice shooting over it. It helped in practice but didn’t help in a blind draw 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Joe2Jock]

@@michaelminnie8925 bowling is exactly why I thought of that solution :-)Same concept just heavier! I need to make a bowling video soon. I also like your drill of putting a bag in front to work on throwing higher!

[@michaelminnie8925]

@@Joe2Jock a buddy of mine said he bows his right elbow out on the backswing and that helps him keep the bags from going right and also hitting his leg. I tried it and it seems to work... so far.

[@michaelminnie8925]

Hey Joe, hope you’re staying safe and throwing them straight. How much tension would you say you have in your arm/elbow? Also, do you keep an eye on your arm in the follow through? Thx as always!

[@Joe2Jock]

Hey Michael! Good to hear from you. Good questions. I'd say elbow and arm are VERY relaxed. I try not to feel any tension in my hand, wrist, arm, elbow, etc. If anything I might feel some tension in my front leg and stability in my feet. But upper body is loose. As for follow through I have a specific "feel" I'm trying to replicate if that's what you're asking? Or do you mean do I actually watch my hand? If so I have an awareness of how my palm looks and try to almost "look down the barrel" when I'm done.

[@michaelminnie8925]

@@Joe2Jock yes, some people watch their arms on the follow through in their peripheral vision to see where they end up. Just wanted to get your take. I think maya cupp, who I play w in tournaments and leagues locks her elbow. That didn’t work well for me in a regional sat lol. Nerves got to me, so that’s why I brought up the tension question.

[@michaelminnie8925]

@@Joe2Jock thanks for the reply sir

[@Joe2Jock]

Interesting. I haven't ever thrown with my elbow locked. Never hurts to experiment though! Keep putting yourself in those situations in big tournaments and those nerves will become less and less of a problem. Obviously they never go away, but you'll get better and better at playing through them!

[@williambouma7747]

My dad beat me five times in a row finally with your tips I beat him

[@Joe2Jock]

That's awesome William! Glad you found it helpful are getting better!

[@terriyarborough7757]

Can you show a close up on how to hold the bag

[@tiptrips]

i have completely fallen in love with the game. I appreciate all the tips. Also funny thing my daughters name is lily. Anyways, thanks again

[@Joe2Jock]

Thanks Aaron! It is definitely a great game :-)

[@tanacious3829]

Hey man, so I’ve played this game a couple of times and I used an overhand toss kind of like making a free throw in basketball and made all four bags go in. Do some pros use overhand toss??

[@Joe2Jock]

Well, no haha. I've never seen one anyway. I think long term it wouldn't be a great way to play.

[@markhenderson8257]

If I’m not mistaken, I think (not 100% certain) that it’s written in the official ACO rules, that that tosses are to be made underhanded. It’s not written to be illegal using other methods, but the legal way to toss the bag is underhanded. In 15 years of building boards and playing, the only overhand tosses I’ve seen were made by drunk cousins after missing the board on first three shots, lol. But that’s awesome you made all four, good job. I couldn’t do it. Takes a lot more effort to overhand it.

[@JDXOGG]

If I have 20 and I throw my first one on bored. Then next guy misses board. Does he then throw again until he covers? Or is it played as every other round.

[@williambouma7747]

Every other round

[@Joe2Jock]

Sorry I missed this. William is right you play the round out as normal. It's the score at the END of a round that counts. So you'd keep trying to pile on points each throw so he can't catch up until the round is over. And no penalty for going over 21 so just keep the pedal to the metal :-)

[@craigdibble7271]

When you're throwing your bag does it matter where bouts the seam on the bag is in your hand?

[@Joe2Jock]

Great question. I don't know if it does affect much, BUT as a habit and for consistency I always put the seam opposite of my palm. So to the left side as a righty. I don't want to feel the seam.

[@craigdibble7271]

@@Joe2Jock nice! I will try that style with the seam away from my palm! I appreciate your feed back and help!

[@Joe2Jock]

No problem - good luck!

[@abello9395]

The bags choices could be overwhelming for a fairly new player. What type of bag do you use on your video or will you recommend? I'm trying to prepare myself for tournaments in my area

[@Joe2Jock]

Sorry Alex I missed your comment. I'm using the Reynolds Pro X and the BG Boards Tailgators in the video. I tend to like the fast and slow sides to be moderate. I don't like really slick bags as I tend to throw a lower, faster bag. And I don't like the sticky side too sticky so the if the boards are really fast I can still use my normal throw using the sticky side and they'll still slide a bit. The nice thing about the Pro X is that the material of the sticky side is slowish but also pliable so they'll crawl into the hole whereas the suede ones are a bit stiffer and can clog up the hole. Hope that helps!

[@abello9395]

@@Joe2Jock I appreciate it! Earlier I placed an order for the Reynolds Pro Advantage. It should be arriving some time this week. Can't wait. Looking forward for your next Cornhole video. Thanks!

[@michaelminnie8925]

Joe2Jock I have the mutha shuckers 248s and they clog up the hole a lot. I think I need to try Reynolds PA or P x. Good info!

[@zhayquanmccain1183]

Can you do a tutorial on how to do the butterfly grip while keeping the bag flat with spin?

[@Joe2Jock]

Hi Zhayquan - I honestly don't know a thing about the butterfly grip to be honest. I'm afraid I can't be much help there, but thanks for asking!

[@zhayquanmccain1183]

@@Joe2Jock thanks well how do you get a flat bag the way you grip it if you don't mind showing?

[@Joe2Jock]

@@zhayquanmccain1183 If I can find some time to film it I'll show you another drill, but I think I pretty much explain it in detail in this video. Turn your wrist / fingers from pointing at your side as it swings by your hip to palm up and pointing at the hole as you let go.

[@chetarmlin1196]

@@Joe2Jock You did explain it. Several times. Quite well too.

[@jokelanddotcom]

Do you keep the bag off the palm of your hand? (Fingers only)

[@Joe2Jock]

I'd say it feels mostly in the fingers for me.

[@gregcappiello1202]

you stand with your right leg held back and lead with your left leg... saw other videos where the instructor was right handed and said put your right leg forward and hold the position (take no steps in the throw) ... Also How do you change your throw dynamics when you switch from left side of the board throwing where your right hand is coming straight over the board straight at target board ... then move to right side and your right ar is more than two feet off that line ... when throwing from the right position should your aim be more to the right of the middle as a straight line from your throw if you hit middle of board would move up the board to the left of the hole?

[@Joe2Jock]

Yeah as far as foot forward, I'd say do whatever is comfortable but most importantly STABLE. Many pros put the same foot forward as the throwing arm. Matt Guy is one of the best ever and he's left foot forward. As for switching sides I'd say as the boards / bags are faster I would aim ever so slightly more right (like maybe right edge of the hole. When the boards / bags are slower it doesn't move left quite as much and throw has more speed to hold its line. Hope that helps.

[@davidbermender9535]

Very helpful, thanks.What kinda juice do you use?

[@Joe2Jock]

What kind of juice?? Not sure what you mean.

[@mikecastro4403]

@@Joe2Jock he's talking about steroids

[@steveatherton5812]

@@mikecastro4403 I figured. Just never had anybody ask me that before considering I've been 5'11" 165lbs my whole adult life LOL. I mean, I do workout and try to stay in good shape for my age, but definitely no juice for me.

[@Sluuurpin]

before release, how do you hold the bag?

[@Joe2Jock]

Light to medium pressure in the wrist, fingers about half way through the back of the bag, thumb on top. I try to keep my hand fairly relaxed so when I turn my wrist it does so smoothly and somewhat fast to create rotation. Too much tension will usually make me miss right or left.

[@michaelminnie8925]

Hey Joe, hope you’re doing well sir! I’ve been having trouble with short arming or chicken arming my shots- where they come up short or pull left. Any tips on sensations or feels to keep the right elbow locked? I usually try the pendulum swing and don’t really “throw” the bag at the hole. Lotta bags slip out of my hand. Thanks - as always.

[@Joe2Jock]

Hi Michael, sorry I've been busy with my "real" job haha. That's an interesting question. It's tough for me because I never feel like my throwing arm is straight. It's always soft at the elbow and very relaxed. That way I never think about chicken winging, just how my hand and palm feel when I release the bag. And when the bag leaves my hand it doesn't feel like a throw, it's a pretty relaxed flick of the wrist, so my grip tension on the bag is probably 2 out of 10. What does yours feel like?

[@michaelminnie8925]

Joe2Jock my grip tension is probably a 6.5 out of 10. I notice I have problems in league play more so when there is more pressure. I left a lot short last night and lined a few off the back. A lot just skip right out before I can even open my “Palm to the sky” I’m an A player in practice though lol. I had back to bag 4 baggers after our league games lol

[@michaelminnie8925]

I definitely think I should relax my hand and arm more. Thanks for the “swing thoughts”. Very descriptive and easy to understand. I’m a low to middle tier competitive player just trying to improve. Not a lot of content or tips out there like there is for golf. Ha. You are the man! Thanks

[@Joe2Jock]

@@michaelminnie8925 golf will be one of my big content sports - that's my "real" job :-)

[@michaelminnie8925]

Maybe flattening or opening up the hand sooner in the follow through is the key.

[@Sttonkeoj]

Totally off subject here but what’s with the gravel yard? Hate mowing, no time for it, grass doesn’t grow well in your climate, just curious

[@Joe2Jock]

Good question haha. I don't live in the home in the summer so basically grass would be major upkeep when I'm gone. And I grew up on a farm in Illinois spending about two hours mowing an acre and a half every week so I don't care for mowing lol.

[@Sttonkeoj]

@@Joe2Jock lol gotcha!

[@Sttonkeoj]

@@Joe2Jock Good video by the way also

[@poonpounder8771]

Has anyone ever suffered from burnt Cornhole from an airmail 4 bagger?

[@frankstrong3087]

I'm trying to learn not to step like I do when I play horseshoes

[@huntho221]

Can you make a cornhole for experts please

[@billydarden1923]

Hey joe I make cornhole T-shirt and I was wondering if I can send you a couple of them and you could wear them on your KZbin channel when u are you doing a show on corn hole

[@Joe2Jock]

Hey Billy - I appreciate the offer! Reach out to me at [e-mail] and tell me more about what you've got going on.

[@billydarden1923]

@@Joe2Jock well me and my associate we started a cornhole business we make Customize cornhole Broads and we make T-shirts sweaters and we now have a through a couple of tournaments so we just trying to get our clothing line off the ground and started and the name of our business is airmail

[@treyfisse3230]

People are amazed when bags cost more than 10 bucks

[@Joe2Jock]

Yep. Good sets will last a long time and get better with age. Like a baseball mitt haha

[@msh-sz1li]

Dart update?

[@Joe2Jock]

Haha. No dart updates. I have so many other sports I need to get put up it may be a bit! And I'm in Colorado for the summer so I'm away from by dartboard for a while.

[@alansabin7487]

Larry Bird hand the finger injury, not sure about Jordan. ??

[@Joe2Jock]

Look at MJ's index finger on his right hand. He apparently cut it with a cigar cutter during his playing career.

[@alansabin7487]

@@Joe2Jock thanks take care

[@tymar2]

@@Joe2Jock what boards are those?

[@Joe2Jock]

@@tymar2 I made them. 1x3 frame and 5/8 birch on top then stained and finished the tops. I'm probably due for some new ones.

[@tymar2]

@@Joe2Jock thank you. The main reason why I asked is due to I need new boards. Any suggestions on witch boards to get? I was thinking x factor boards.

[@mikeallen9081]

What next on the ESPN8, "The Ocho"? Lmao... Pin The Tail On The Donkey? THIS, is a child's birthday game event...wow...

[@houseatreides6683]

Hey I'm gonna watch KZbin videos about stuff that I don't care about then make fun of it