Collection: OFFICIAL U.S. CORNHOLE RULES

 

 

CHAPTER 1 – Cornhole Playing Equipment

1.1  U.S. CORNHOLE recognizes two types of equipment:  Certified and Approved

U.S. CORNHOLE Certified Equipment – Stated below, unless otherwise noted prior to a tournament or league.

 “U.S. Cornhole logo” Tournaments Series Boards

“U.S. Cornhole logo” Branded bottom right or rear cross beam Tournaments Series Boards

“All U.S. Cornhole Branded Bags

 

1.2 U.S. CORNHOLE Approved Equipment – Not limited to U.S. CORNHOLE branded equipment – In order to be classified as Approved, equipment must comply with the criteria below. U.S. CORNHOLE Approved Equipment may be used for Tournaments and Leagues

 Approved Boards:

1. Hardwood plywood playing surface measuring 47.5” to 48” x 23.5” to 24”.
2. The playing surface has a minimum thickness of 1/2” with cross-section backing, or 3/4” with or without cross-section backing.
3. Each Board in a set should weigh no less than 25 lbs.
4. Each hole is 6” diameter, centered 9” from the top of the board and centered from each side edge.
5. The front of the board is 3” to 4” from the ground to the top of the playing surface.
6. The back of the board is 12” from the ground to the top of the playing surface.
7. The playing surface should be finished – sanded to a very smooth texture. There should be little to no blemishes in the wood surface that may disrupt or distort play.
8. The playing surface can be painted with a high gloss latex paint or varnish. The surface should allow bags to slide when thrown, but not be so slippery that the bags slide back down the platform.

• Approved Bags
• Each bag is made from two fabric squares with double-stitched seaming.
• The bags should be made from a durable fabric like canvas, twill, or synthetic suede.
• Each bag measures no less than 5.75” or greater than 6.25” and weighs no less than 15.25 ounces and no greater than 16 ounces.

 

CORNHOLE RULES, CHAPTER 2 – Cornhole Court Layout

2.1 Cornhole Court Layout

Cornhole Court: A regulation size cornhole court is 8 feet wide and 40 feet long with a recommended vertical clearance of twelve (12) feet. If a tournament court has a clearance of less than 12 feet, it must be noted in the tourney listing prior to the event.

This court consists of two (2) player’s lanes:

Lane 1: Designated pitchers boxes, on the left side of the board when your back is to the scoring tower

Lane 2: Designated pitchers boxes, on the right side of the board when your back is to the scoring tower

Cornhole Boards: Boards are positioned 27’ from the front edge to front edge of the board.

Cornhole Pitchers Boxes: A designated pitchers box is a 4’ x 3’ area at each end of the court and on both sides of each board; (4) boxes in all.

Cornhole Foul Lines: The front edge of the cornhole board is the foul line.

 

 

2.2 Cornhole Court Preparation and Maintenance

Every effort shall be made to keep the cornhole playing surface in perfect playing condition. Players are responsible for making sure the court is in good playing condition prior to starting the match.

No foreign substance (such as Pledge®, talc powder, baby powder, silicone sprays) may be applied to the playing surface or bags by an individual player before or during cornhole play.

A dry clean cloth may be used to wipe down the boards prior to the start of the game.

 

CORNHOLE RULES, CHAPTER 3 – Cornhole Scoring

3.1 Length of Games

Traditional 21: The game shall be played to the pre-determined number of twenty-one (21) points. The first player/team to reach (or exceed) that amount at the conclusion of a frame is the winner.

3.2 Timed Matches

Timed Game: Timed games are designed for tournaments that need to be completed in a set time period. It gives a tournament director the ability to know how long a tournament will last from start to finish. We recommend 20 minute time matches when tournaments need to be finished in a set time period. This gives the director the ability to run 3 games per board per hour. The number of boards available will determine the length of the tournament. With a timed tournament ALL standard cornhole rules are still in effect. Reaching 21 points first is still the objective and is only altered by the 20 minute time limit per match. Once that 20 minute time limit has been reached, the person or team in the lead at that point will be declared the winner.

3.3 Cornhole Scoring – Bag Terms

Woody – Refers to any cornhole bag that has been pitched and remains on the cornhole board playing surface at the conclusion of the frame.

Cornhole – Refers to any cornhole bag that has been pitched and passes through the cornhole board hole at any time within the frame.

Foul Bags – Refers to any cornhole bag that has not been determined as a “woody” or “cornhole”, or was designated a foul bag as the result of rules violation.

3.4 Designated Foul Bags

Any bag pitched without at least one foot or appendage completely inside the pitcher’s box at the time of release.

Any bag not pitched within the 15 second time limit.

A bag pitched from a different pitcher’s box than their designated pitcher’s box.

Any bag that contacted the court or the ground before coming to rest on the playing surface.

Any bag that comes to rest touching the ground and the board.

Any bag which struck a previously defined object such as a tree limb, wire, indoor court ceiling, etc.

3.5 Methods of Scoring

Cancellation Scoring: The approved method of scoring for the sport of cornhole is “cancellation” scoring. In cancellation scoring, the points of one player cancel out the points of their opponent. Using this method, only one player/team can score in each frame.

Woody: Each woody is worth one (1) point

Cornhole: Each cornhole is worth three (3) points

Example:

Red achieves one (1) woody and two (2) cornholes during the frame (7 total pts)

Blue achieves two (2) woodies and zero (0) cornholes during the frame (2 total pts)

7 points – 2 points = Red scores 5 points for that frame

3.6 Recording the Score

No cornhole bags shall be moved before the scoring is determined. If this decision is in doubt, a Certified Official shall be called to determine the scoring for the frame in question.

Recording the Score: Players are encouraged to pay close attention to the score at all times. Players are required to update their score on the score tower at the conclusion of each frame. Players may call upon the Certified Official/Director between frames if any discrepancy occurs regarding the correct score.

Calling the Score: When a third party is being used to manage the score tower, it is the responsibility of the player/ team who scores in each frame to call out the score to the score keeper. It is the responsibility of the players/teams to ensure the score is represented correctly on the score tower at the conclusion of each frame before moving to the next frame.

 

 

 

 

CORNHOLE RULES, CHAPTER 4 – Play of the Cornhole Game

4.1 Overview of Singles and Doubles Play

Singles Play:

Player A competes against Player B.

Both players stay in their designated lane for the whole game.

Players start the game at the headboard and will alternate pitching bags until each player has pitched all (4) of his/her bags.

Players then walk to the end of their lane to the other court, take score, and resume pitching back to the other cornhole board.

Doubles Play:

Team A competes against Team B – each team is comprised of two (2) people.

Each team will stay in their designated lane for the whole game.

Players at the headboard will alternate pitching bags until each player has pitched all (4) of his/her bags.

Players at the footboard will take score and resume pitching back to the other cornhole board.

4.2 Pitching Rotation, Lane Assignments, & Bag Color

The First Pitch, Lane Assignments, and Bag Color: The format of the tournament will help determine first pitch, lane assignments and bag color.

Randomly Seeded Singles and Doubles Tournaments

The winner of the coin flip will get first choice and alternating through all choices available on the board.

(Example: If first pitch and sides of the board are the choice. The winner of the coin flip gets their choice of either option first. Then the remaining option will default to the loser of the flip. If choice of bags are also an option. Then the winner of the flip will get first choice of the 3 choices. The second choice of the remaining last 2 options will default to the loser of the flip. And then the last option available will go to the winner of the flip.

 

4.3 Pitching Cornhole Bags

Pitching

Players alternate pitching bags (one player at a time) until each player has pitched all (4) of his/her bags.

A player must pitch all (4) cornhole bags from their designated cornhole pitchers box.

Players must deliver the bag with an under-hand release.

One foot or appendage must be completely within the pitchers box at the time of releasing the bag.

When pitching a bag, players must release the bag before any part of the player’s body touches the ground on or beyond the foul line

Pitching the Next Frame:

The player/team who scored in the preceding frame shall pitch first in the next frame. If neither player/team scores, the player/team who pitched first in the preceding frame shall retain first pitch in the next frame.

Accidental Release

Any cornhole bag that leaves a players hand once the final step (if taken) and final forward swing of the delivery process has started, shall count as a pitched bag.

A cornhole bag that is accidentally dropped by a player before the final step (if taken) and final forward swing has started, shall not be considered a foul bag and may be picked up and pitched.

Pitching Out of Turn:

If a player pitches out of turn at any time during a frame, their pitch will be considered a Foul Bag and swept from the playing surface.

If the out-of-turn bag affects any bags in play, their opponent has the option of returning all cornhole bags to their original position on the playing surface or leaving all bags as they are.

If the error is not discovered until after two (2) cornhole bags have been pitched, the frame shall continue and be score accordingly.

If no agreement can be reached, a Certified Official shall be called. The Certified Official shall either determine the scoring or void the inning and order it to be repitched.

 

Touching the bags before the Frame is complete:

If any bags in scoring positions (woodies or cornholes) are touched by a player, whether intentionally or unintentionally, before all bags during the frame are pitched, the frame is over.

The offending team (team who touches the bags) forfeits all remaining bags and tallies the score for the bags they have already thrown during the frame

The non-offending team tallies 12 points as if they had thrown 4 cornholes during the frame.

IMPORTANT NOTE: 12 pts are NOT automatically added the overall score(scoreboard). The 12 pts are only used within this specific frame before cancellation.

EXAMPLE:

Red has thrown 3 bags equaling 5 points to this point in the frame

Blue has thrown 3 bags equaling 8 points to this point in the frame

Blue accidentally reaches down and grabs the bags

The frame is over

Blue’s remaining bag is declared dead and their previous points are tallied

Red tallies 12 points for the frame, as if they had thrown 4 cornholes

12 Red points – 8 Blue points

Red scores 4 points for that frame

Time Limits – Pitching and Scoring

Pitching

A player must pitch each cornhole bag within fifteen (15) seconds of their opponent’s bag coming to rest.

In Singles play, once the final bag comes to a rest, each player has 30 seconds to walk to the other end, pick up their bags, and ready themselves to pitch.

* Exceptions may be made by the Certified Official considering any physical disabilities or difficulties

Scoring

The frame will be scored 5 seconds after the last bag is pitched, comes to rest, and all bags on the playing surface have stopped moving. Any bag that moves in position after 5 seconds will be scored based on its previous position.

If timing cannot be agreed on, the Certified Official/Director will score or negate the frame.

Other General Rules

Moving Cornhole Boards and Bags:

A player can only straighten cornhole boards in between frames and with the approval of their opponent. A Certified Official may be called to determine re-placement if a discrepancy is in question.

A player may only cross the foul line and approach the opposite board during a frame under three (3) circumstances:

1. A timeout has been called
2. To Rake bags piled inside the cornhole board hole
3. To Sweep bags (that are considered foul bags) from the playing surface

Timeouts

Each player or team is allowed two 1 minute time outs per game.

A player may only call a time out when it is his/her turn to pitch.

Both players may walk to the other boards to examine bag position during the time out.

Players may not touch the cornhole bags or boards during a timeout.

Important Note: Official time outs may be granted in the case of a busted cornhole bag, equipment malfunctions, or other circumstances at the discretion of the Certified Official. A player will not be charged for time out.

Raking Cornhole Bags

If bags become piled inside the cornhole board hole and may interfere or obstruct with the next pitch or if there is question as to whether a cornhole bag would have naturally fallen through the hole, a player may request to “rake” the cornhole bags that have fallen inside the hole. To request a rake, the player must audibly ask.

One or both players may walk to the other board and rake the bags from under the board (one player raking and one player watching.)

A spectator may be called to rake the bags if both players agree.

A certified official may be called to rake the bags if a discrepancy is in question.

Anytime 4 cornhole bags have entered the hole or piled bags are visible in the hole a player may request a “rake” and will not be charged a time-out.

Important note: During raking, all efforts should be made to leave bags on the playing surface undisrupted, in their natural state, and to leave bags that may hang on the rim of the hole from falling inside the hole unnaturally. If a bag is resting on a piled bag, and unavoidably falls into the hole as a result of raking, then it shall be counted as a “cornhole.”

Sweeping Cornhole Bags

If a foul bag lands on the playing surface or comes to rest touching the ground and the board, it must be removed immediately.

If a player pitches a foul bag which affects any bags in play, their opponent has the option of returning all cornhole bags to their original position on the playing surface or leaving all bags as they are.

 

CHAPTER 5 – Tournament Play

5.1 Tournament Play

Double Elimination Single Game

A standard double elimination tournament is the most common type of tournament. Especially for tournaments with a large number of players or on a restricted time frame. A player or team must lose 2 games first before being eliminated from the tournament. Once in the winners bracket and once in the losers bracket. The tournament will play out until there is only 1 player or team left in the winners bracket and one player or team left in the losers bracket. If the player or team in the winners bracket wins 1 game against the player or team in the losers bracket. They will be declared the winner of the tournament. The player or team in the losers bracket must win 1 game to knock the winners into the losers bracket and then win another game to be declared the winner.

Double Elimination Best 2 out of 3 Games in the winners and or losers bracket.

A double elimination best 2 out of 3 is designed to give players a little extra playing time. A player or team in the winners bracket must lose 2 games out of 3 games against the same team to then be knocked into the losers bracket. If this is a 2 out of 3 in the winners bracket only. Once a player or team is knocked into the losers bracket. They must be the last player or team in the losers bracket not to lose a game in that bracket. In the finals when there is only one player or team left in both the winners and losers bracket. The player or team in the losers bracket must win 2 straight games to knock the player or team from the winners bracket into the losers bracket with them. Then they must win another game which would be their 3^rd straight win to win the tournament.

If this happens to be a best 2 out of 3 in both the winners and the losers bracket. The player or team must follow the same steps as above to be knocked into the losers bracket. Once in the losers bracket all losers bracket games will be the best 2 out of 3 games also. The last player or team remaining in the losers bracket not to have lost a 2 out of 3 match. Will now face the last team in the winners bracket. The player or team in the losers bracket now must win the first 2 out of 3 to knock the player or team into the losers bracket. Once both teams are in the losers bracket. The next player or team to win the last best 2 out of 3 will be declared the winner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 6 –Player Conduct

6.1 Player Conduct

On the Courts

A cornhole player/team while in competition, shall make no disturbing noises or movements that would distract the opponent or players on surrounding courts. Other inappropriate behavior would include profanity, abusive language, obscene gestures, flipping bags, etc.

Penalties

A player may call on a Certified Official to enforce a rule at any time. If the Certified Official deems action is required:

– The first offense shall call for a warning from the Certified Official.

– A second offense shall call for a second and final warning.

– A third offense shall call for forfeiture of the game being played.

– Any further offenses may call for disqualification from the Tournament/Event.

Sportsmanship

Any cornhole player who indulges in heckling or unfair rooting, uses profanity or abusive language, makes obscene gestures, or exhibits any other form of un-sportsmanlike conduct toward other players, Certified Officials/Tournament/League Officials, or others who are in the area of the courts, shall be subject to expulsion from the Tournament/Event and from the event site.

Giving/Receiving Player Advice

It is legal for a teammate or spectator to provide advice on bag position and/or next pitch recommendation.

Alcohol, Tobacco Products, and Illegal Controlled Substances:

Illegal Controlled Substances are not permitted at any US Cornhole Events.

Venue permitting, players can drink alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages while playing, but drinks must be placed outside the live court area, in a safe zone, or on a drink stand/holder.

The use of alcohol or any form of tobacco while in the confines of the courts may be prohibited for all contestants, officials, and scorekeepers at the discretion of US Cornhole. This rule may be enforced at any tournament, if announced in advance by the Certified Directors/US Cornhole. Violations may result in the forfeiture of games.

Cell Phones:

The use of cell phones while in the confines of the courts may be prohibited for all contestants, officials, and scorekeepers at the discretion of US Cornhole.

This rule may be enforced at any tournament, if announced in advance by the Certified Director/US Cornhole. Violations may result in the forfeiture of games.

Audio & Visual

The use of audio and visual equipment in the confines of the event premises may be used by US Cornhole and their Affiliates. Your presence in the filming/photography area constitutes consent to be recorded/photographed.