Most bags made from scratch are made out of duck canvas or a similar material. Choose the color of your choice and cut the fabric into (8) 7”x7” squares. I would recommend using bright colors that are easy to see while flying through the air. Of course they will get dirty over time, so I would recommend not using expensive custom designs if you plan on playing outdoors a lot.
The finished product will be 6”x6” once we fill the bags with corn. The bags should be filled so that they weigh nearly a pound each. This is about equivalent to two cups of corn. When you sew the squares together, make sure they are a bit over 6”x6” so they will be the correct size after you fill them. Sew all four sides of the bag except for a small section to fill the bags with feed corn. Make sure you use some heavy duty thread so they will last longer! Before you fill the bags with corn, turn them inside out so the seam is not on the outside of the bag.
When it comes to filling the bag, you can use a variety of products. Most people use feed corn or plastic pellets. The difference between these two is that the pellets are more resistant to rain in case they get wet. However, pellets weigh less than corn and will occupy more space when filling the bag up to one pound. Another difference is that corn will break down over time: the bags start out bulky and tend to bounce, but once they break in they will be “floppy” and land softly.
A funnel can be used to fill the bags if you left a small opening. Fill the bags so that each weighs about a pound. Note that it is important for all the bags to feel the same size and weight, which is the hardest part of the project. More detailed instructions will soon be posted on beabaginfo.com.
Showing posts with label cornhole. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cornhole. Show all posts
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Leagues with 4 Player Teams
Many bean bag leagues are ran differently, and most of them are the weekly 2 on 2 matches against other teams in the league. The newest and more attractive types of leagues allow 4 to 6 players on each team with a variety of different games. These leagues typically use the traditional 2 on 2, 1 on 1, and frame games (singles and doubles) mixed for a total of 9 games each night. I thought of a few more ways to play, and even allow all players on the team play at once!
Why not allow the entire team play in one game? Two players from each team would stand at each end of the boards (making it 8 players in all). There can be two ways to score this type of game, one being the traditional scoring to 21 with players from each team alternating turns. I think the better way is to add up the total score of each team after a certain number of innings. Maybe allow each of the four players on each team throw 2 innings, and add up the total points for each team after the 8th inning. It may sound like a 4-person frame game, but the difference is that players from opposing teams are pitching at the same time. This can be referred to as the High Score game.
Perhaps an even better way to do this is having a 2 on 2 High Score game, but have the players on the same team stand on the same side facing the opposing team. Allow Team A to start the game, each player has four bags (8 bags per team), and alternates pitching bags to the other side. The object is to score as many points in each inning as possible, so players are encouraged to knock each other's bags in the hole for a higher team score. Add up the total points for each team after 10 innings to see which team wins.
Why not allow the entire team play in one game? Two players from each team would stand at each end of the boards (making it 8 players in all). There can be two ways to score this type of game, one being the traditional scoring to 21 with players from each team alternating turns. I think the better way is to add up the total score of each team after a certain number of innings. Maybe allow each of the four players on each team throw 2 innings, and add up the total points for each team after the 8th inning. It may sound like a 4-person frame game, but the difference is that players from opposing teams are pitching at the same time. This can be referred to as the High Score game.
Perhaps an even better way to do this is having a 2 on 2 High Score game, but have the players on the same team stand on the same side facing the opposing team. Allow Team A to start the game, each player has four bags (8 bags per team), and alternates pitching bags to the other side. The object is to score as many points in each inning as possible, so players are encouraged to knock each other's bags in the hole for a higher team score. Add up the total points for each team after 10 innings to see which team wins.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game Strategy: Blocking the Hole
Most people think this game is very simple... and it is, but as the common player becomes more competitive, strategy becomes an important part of winning games and tournaments. Some players become so good that they can easily make 3 or 4 bags in the hole every time. When this is the case, the game can go on for a long, long time. Many players find it easier to score by playing defense. But how do you play defense in a game that revolves around a player's offensive skills? No, you do not have your partner at the other end smack the bags right out of the air. Instead, you block the hole with your bag.
Of course, this strategy might not work on all sets of boards. It is difficult to make the bag land in front of the hole on a slick set of boards, so this strategy is recommended for a set of boards than the bags can "stick" to. This strategy also works better when you have the first shot of the round. On the first shot, try to put the bag right in front of the hole so it barely leans over the edge. If it leans into the hole too far, it is easier for your opponent to knock both the bags in on his shot. By leaving it off of the hole more, it requires more accuracy on his part to either knock them both in or go over the top. The best case scenario is that your opponent pushes your bag in the hole, and his bag goes off the board. There are many different possible scenarios that can happen during your opponent's shot, but if they miss, your goal has been met. Further details about alternate scenarios will be soon posted on the strategy page of my website, as well as in future blog posts.
Of course, this strategy might not work on all sets of boards. It is difficult to make the bag land in front of the hole on a slick set of boards, so this strategy is recommended for a set of boards than the bags can "stick" to. This strategy also works better when you have the first shot of the round. On the first shot, try to put the bag right in front of the hole so it barely leans over the edge. If it leans into the hole too far, it is easier for your opponent to knock both the bags in on his shot. By leaving it off of the hole more, it requires more accuracy on his part to either knock them both in or go over the top. The best case scenario is that your opponent pushes your bag in the hole, and his bag goes off the board. There are many different possible scenarios that can happen during your opponent's shot, but if they miss, your goal has been met. Further details about alternate scenarios will be soon posted on the strategy page of my website, as well as in future blog posts.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Past, Present, and Future
Many say that the game originated somewhere in Ohio, where the majority of players seem to be. Others say Kentucky, the Oregon Trail, Ireland, whatever. There seems to be no proof that the game originated in any one location. As far as I am concerned, it doesn't really matter where the first game of cornhole was played. The only thing that matters is where the game is now, and where it will be in the future. the game is growing so fast, it is only a matter of time before it becomes an international sport.
I truly hope that this game gets big, REALLY BIG. I can see it growing into a professional sport similar to golf, bowling, or darts. I think it is more closely related to bowling than any other sport. So how do we develop this game into a professional sport? Well, the American Cornhole Organization (ACO) has already taken the first few steps of the process. They managed to draw in many of the best players in the country to compete against each other individually for exceptional amounts of money. It may take a few years, but I can definitely see the ACO becoming the overall governing body of the sport, just as the NFL is to football.
At the same time, we need people all over the country to become aware of the game to begin with. When more and more people play the game, there will be more fans to watch the best players in the world play. Just like any sport it is important to gather a fan base that will support the game of cornhole.
I truly hope that this game gets big, REALLY BIG. I can see it growing into a professional sport similar to golf, bowling, or darts. I think it is more closely related to bowling than any other sport. So how do we develop this game into a professional sport? Well, the American Cornhole Organization (ACO) has already taken the first few steps of the process. They managed to draw in many of the best players in the country to compete against each other individually for exceptional amounts of money. It may take a few years, but I can definitely see the ACO becoming the overall governing body of the sport, just as the NFL is to football.
At the same time, we need people all over the country to become aware of the game to begin with. When more and more people play the game, there will be more fans to watch the best players in the world play. Just like any sport it is important to gather a fan base that will support the game of cornhole.
How to Throw a Flat Bag
THE TOSS
In order to be a great bags player, you MUST learn how to throw the bag so that it spins through the air. A horizontal, spinning bag is the key to pitching a consistent game for two reasons. First, putting spin on the bag allows it to "sail" through the air without being affected by the wind. Second, a flat spin allows the bag to land smoothly on the game board, and more importantly continue to move in a straight path once it hits the board. A "flopping" bag seems to bounce in different directions after striking the board, making the player's tosses more inconsistent.
So how do you spin the bag perfectly flat? Many beginners find this to be difficult and give up after a few attempts. It does take some practice, but I have come up with a few tips to help players get the hang of it more quickly.
1) Hold the bag perfectly flat from the start, with your thumb on top of the bag and your other fingers underneath. Most beginners do not bend their wrist inward enough to release the bag horizontally flat (parallel to the ground).
2) Begin the toss with your thumb and fingers pointing directly toward your left (if you're pitching right-handed). Try to keep your fingers pointed in this direction as you move through your backswing. As you move your arm forward, your fingers should point straight forward by the time you release the bag, causing the bag to spin through the air. (Wrist motion is similar to throwing a frisbee)
3) It is important to pitch the bag in a smooth, slow motion. Many players lose control during the transition from the backswing to the frontswing, and go through the entire motion too quickly. Your backswing should be very slow until you begin the frontswing, which should gradually increase in speed until the bag is released.
Check out these instructions on the new site www.beanbaginfo.webs.com
In order to be a great bags player, you MUST learn how to throw the bag so that it spins through the air. A horizontal, spinning bag is the key to pitching a consistent game for two reasons. First, putting spin on the bag allows it to "sail" through the air without being affected by the wind. Second, a flat spin allows the bag to land smoothly on the game board, and more importantly continue to move in a straight path once it hits the board. A "flopping" bag seems to bounce in different directions after striking the board, making the player's tosses more inconsistent.
So how do you spin the bag perfectly flat? Many beginners find this to be difficult and give up after a few attempts. It does take some practice, but I have come up with a few tips to help players get the hang of it more quickly.
1) Hold the bag perfectly flat from the start, with your thumb on top of the bag and your other fingers underneath. Most beginners do not bend their wrist inward enough to release the bag horizontally flat (parallel to the ground).
2) Begin the toss with your thumb and fingers pointing directly toward your left (if you're pitching right-handed). Try to keep your fingers pointed in this direction as you move through your backswing. As you move your arm forward, your fingers should point straight forward by the time you release the bag, causing the bag to spin through the air. (Wrist motion is similar to throwing a frisbee)
3) It is important to pitch the bag in a smooth, slow motion. Many players lose control during the transition from the backswing to the frontswing, and go through the entire motion too quickly. Your backswing should be very slow until you begin the frontswing, which should gradually increase in speed until the bag is released.
Check out these instructions on the new site www.beanbaginfo.webs.com
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