Know which end plays the round
At one end, you alternate four throws with the opponent beside you. Your partner plays the next round at the other end. Partners do not alternate bags on the same target board.
Positions stay fixed during the game. The result of the previous round determines which team starts the next one, so neither end has a permanent opening or finishing role.
| What you see | What to communicate | Decision it supports |
|---|---|---|
| Clear lane | The slide path is open | Use the practiced landing spot |
| Blocker below the hole | Which edge leaves room | Slide around, push or airmail |
| Tied raw totals; last bag | One clean board bag wins this round | Compare the safe shot with the hole |
| Ahead in raw points | Exact raw difference and bags left | Protect the advantage without assuming the game is over |
Call the position, then the choice
The partner beside the target board can describe a gap that is hard to see from 27 feet away. Give the thrower useful information: which bag blocks the lane, whether a bag is hanging over the hole, and the current raw totals.
Agree on short shot names before starting. The thrower makes the final choice based on the shots they can repeat.
Respond to a difficult round
If a partner is missing the hole but landing on the board, a controlled board-bag target can reduce losses. Keep coaching to one useful observation rather than changing grip, stance and release during the match.
Your next round starts at the opposite end with a cleared target. Work from that new position instead of treating it as a continuation of the previous board state. If you are entering an event together, check how the tournament format assigns partners before you register.
A few common questions
Do partners stand together or across from each other?
Across from each other. In doubles, partners are at opposite ends of the same lane and each throws from their own board for the whole game.
Can partners switch ends during a game?
In sanctioned play the positions are fixed for the game. For casual play, agree before starting if you want to swap between games rather than mid-game.
Put your cornhole group on the schedule.
Sport Scheduler Pro builds single-elimination tournament brackets and round-robin league schedules. Set your teams and format before the first game.