Cornhole Trick Shots: 10 Awesome Shots to Impress Your Friends
Think you've mastered the basics of cornhole? Landing bags on the board is one thing, but pulling off an incredible trick shot takes the game to an entirely different level!
From perfectly executed airmails to behind-the-back throws and unbelievable bank shots, cornhole trick shots combine accuracy, creativity, and a little bit of luck.
Whether you're looking to impress your friends at a backyard barbecue, create a viral cornhole video, or improve your competitive throwing skills, learning a few new shots is a great way to make the game even more exciting.
And the best part? You don't have to be a professional cornhole player to give them a try.
Here are 10 fun cornhole trick shots, along with tips to help you master them.
1. The Airmail Shot
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
The airmail is one of the most recognizable and impressive shots in cornhole.
Instead of landing on the board and sliding toward the hole, an airmail travels through the air and drops directly into the hole without touching the board.
It's especially useful when other bags are blocking the path to the hole.
How to throw an airmail
Stand at your normal throwing position.
Focus on the center of the hole rather than the front of the board.
Use a controlled underhand throwing motion with a slightly higher trajectory.
Release the bag smoothly, aiming for the opening.
Practice maintaining the same throwing motion and release point.
Pro tip: Start at a shorter distance to develop accuracy, then gradually move back toward regulation distance.
Unlike some novelty trick shots, the airmail is a legitimate competitive cornhole technique.
2. The Behind-the-Back Shot
Difficulty: Advanced
Want to get some attention at your next backyard cornhole party?
Try landing a bag on the board without looking directly at your target during the release.
The behind-the-back shot is a fun trick that challenges your coordination and sense of direction.
How to attempt it
Start just a few feet from the board.
Hold the bag comfortably behind your back.
Face away from the target or position yourself sideways.
Use a controlled backward tossing motion.
Practice landing on the board before attempting the hole.
Pro tip: Record your attempts on your phone. These shots can make entertaining social media videos, especially when you finally land one!
This is primarily a recreational trick shot rather than a standard competitive throwing technique.
3. The Perfect Slider
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
The slider might look simple, but landing a perfectly controlled slide directly into the hole is incredibly satisfying.
Unlike an airmail, the bag lands toward the lower portion of the board and slides up the playing surface.
This is one of the most useful shots for both backyard and competitive cornhole players.
How to throw a slider
Aim toward the front portion of the board.
Throw with a smooth, relatively flat release.
Allow the bag to land and slide toward the hole.
Adjust your throwing force to control the distance.
Practice using both sides of a dual-sided cornhole bag.
Pro tip: Different bag fabrics slide at different speeds. A faster side may help you reach the hole, while a slower side can provide greater stopping control.
The bounce shot involves intentionally bouncing a bag off the ground before attempting to land it on the board or through the hole.
It's an entertaining challenge for casual backyard games and trick-shot videos.
However, a bag that contacts the ground before reaching the board is generally considered a foul bag under regulation cornhole rules.
That means this is a novelty trick shot, not a legitimate scoring technique in standard competitive play.
How to attempt it
Start with a short distance between yourself and the board.
Choose a safe, open area.
Experiment with different release angles.
Observe how the bag reacts when it contacts the ground.
Adjust your aim and throwing force.
Pro tip: Use older recreational bags for this challenge rather than your expensive tournament bags, especially on abrasive surfaces.
5. The Tower Knockdown
Difficulty: Intermediate — Backyard Trick Shot
Here's a fun one for family gatherings and friendly competitions.
Stack several cornhole bags on the board to create a small tower. Then challenge yourself to knock the stack over with one perfectly aimed throw.
The goal isn't necessarily to score points. It's to see whether you can knock down the entire tower.
How to attempt it
Stack three or four bags on the board.
Position yourself several feet away.
Aim for the middle or base of the stack.
Throw a controlled bag toward the target.
Increase the distance as your accuracy improves.
Pro tip: Turn this into a backyard competition by giving each player three attempts to knock down the tower.
This is a fun skills challenge rather than a standard cornhole scoring play.
6. The Push Shot
Difficulty: Intermediate
The push shot is one of the most satisfying ways to turn a good throw into a great scoring opportunity.
Imagine you already have a bag sitting directly in front of the hole.
Instead of trying to throw around it, you aim your next bag at the first one, pushing it through the hole.
If everything goes perfectly, your second bag might follow it in!
How to throw a push shot
Identify a bag positioned near the hole.
Aim directly behind that bag.
Use enough throwing force to move it forward.
Keep your throw aligned with the hole.
Practice controlling the amount of contact.
Pro tip: Try placing a practice bag a few inches in front of the hole and repeatedly pushing it in.
This is a valuable competitive technique that combines accuracy and strategy.
7. The Roller Shot
Difficulty: Advanced
The roller is one of the more challenging cornhole shots to master.
Instead of landing flat and sliding normally, the bag is thrown so it tumbles or rolls forward after contacting the board.
Skilled players can sometimes use this technique to navigate around or over blocking bags.
How to attempt it
Start at a shorter throwing distance.
Experiment with different bag orientations and release techniques.
Practice generating a controlled rolling motion.
Observe how the bag reacts to the board.
Gradually introduce blockers as your consistency improves.
Pro tip: Different bag constructions behave differently, so practice with the same set while developing your technique.
8. The High Rainbow Shot
Difficulty: Intermediate
The rainbow is a high-arching throw that drops toward the board from a steeper angle.
A well-executed rainbow can be useful when you want a bag to land with less forward movement.
It's also a great way to challenge your throwing accuracy.
How to attempt it
Begin with your normal underhand motion.
Increase the height of your throwing arc.
Focus on a specific landing area.
Keep your release smooth and consistent.
Adjust your throwing force to prevent the bag from falling short.
Pro tip: Place a target near the upper half of the board and see how consistently you can land your rainbow shots in that area.
9. The Double-Bag Push
Difficulty: Advanced
Ready for a bigger challenge?
Place two bags close together near the hole and attempt to push both into the opening with a single throw.
This is a great way to practice bag placement, contact angles, and controlled throwing force.
How to attempt it
Position two practice bags near the hole.
Align them so a push could move both toward the opening.
Aim your next throw at the rear bag.
Experiment with different amounts of force.
Repeat until you can consistently move both bags.
Pro tip: Start with the bags very close to the hole before making the challenge more difficult.
Depending on the board position, moving multiple bags can also be part of legitimate competitive strategy.
10. The Eyes-Closed Cornhole Challenge
Difficulty: Advanced — Backyard Trick Shot
Think your muscle memory is good enough to land a cornhole bag without looking?
This challenge is all about consistency.
After lining up your shot, close your eyes and see whether you can still land the bag on the board.
How to attempt it
Stand at a short, safe throwing distance.
Check that the throwing lane is completely clear.
Line up your shot while looking at the board.
Close your eyes immediately before the throw.
Use your normal throwing motion and see where the bag lands.
Pro tip: Have someone supervise the throwing area and keep spectators well away from the target.
This is strictly a recreational challenge and should not be attempted during organized competition.
Which Cornhole Trick Shots Are Legal in Tournaments?
Not every trick shot belongs in a competitive cornhole match.
Some techniques are legitimate strategies, while others are designed purely for entertainment.
Trick shot
Competitive use
Airmail
Common competitive technique
Slider
Common competitive technique
Push shot
Common competitive technique
Roller
Used by skilled competitive players
Rainbow
Can be used in competitive play
Double-bag push
Can be a legitimate scoring play
Behind-the-back
Primarily recreational; event rules may restrict it
Ground bounce
Generally a foul under regulation rules
Tower knockdown
Recreational skills challenge
Eyes-closed challenge
Recreational only
Always check the rules of your specific league or tournament before attempting unusual throwing techniques.
How to Get Better at Cornhole Trick Shots
The secret to impressive cornhole trick shots isn't simply throwing harder or trying something outrageous.
It's developing consistency and learning how your bags behave.
Start Close to the Board
Shorter distances help you understand the mechanics of each shot before attempting it from regulation distance.
Practice One Technique at a Time
Choose one shot and practice it repeatedly rather than constantly switching between different techniques.
Use Consistent Equipment
Different bags can behave very differently depending on their fabrics, filling, and construction.
Practicing with the same equipment makes it easier to recognize improvements.
Record Your Throws
Video can help you identify differences in your release angle, throwing motion, and bag trajectory.
It also gives you a chance to capture those incredible trick shots when they finally happen!
Make Practice Fun
Challenge friends to a trick-shot competition, create your own backyard obstacles, or award points for difficult shots.
The more enjoyable practice becomes, the more likely you'll keep improving.
Best Cornhole Bags for Trick Shots
The right cornhole bags can make a difference when learning advanced techniques.
For sliders and push shots, you may prefer bags with predictable sliding characteristics.
For blockers and controlled landing shots, a slower playing surface may be useful.
Dual-sided bags offer different playing characteristics depending on which side contacts the board.
If you're just starting out, there's no need to purchase the most expensive professional bags. A reliable recreational set can be plenty of fun for backyard challenges.
When you're ready to explore different materials and performance options, browse our Cornhole Bags Collection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cornhole Trick Shots
What is the hardest cornhole trick shot?
Difficulty varies by player, but consistent airmails, advanced rollers, and accurately controlled multi-bag pushes can be particularly challenging.
What is an airmail in cornhole?
An airmail is a shot in which the bag travels directly through the hole without touching the board first.
Can you bounce a cornhole bag off the ground?
You can attempt ground-bounce shots for fun, but bags that contact the ground before reaching the board generally don't count under regulation rules.
Are trick shots allowed in professional cornhole?
Many advanced throwing techniques, including airmails, sliders, pushes, and rollers, are legitimate competitive plays. Novelty challenges may not be permitted.
How can beginners learn cornhole trick shots?
Start at a shorter distance, focus on one technique at a time, use consistent equipment, and gradually increase the difficulty.
What equipment do I need for cornhole trick shots?
A cornhole board, a set of bags, and a safe throwing area are enough to get started. Regulation-size equipment is useful if you also want to practice competitive techniques.
Final Thoughts: Take Your Cornhole Game to the Next Level
Cornhole trick shots are a fun way to challenge yourself, entertain friends, and develop better throwing skills.
Whether you're working on your first airmail, learning how to execute a perfect slider, or attempting a ridiculous behind-the-back throw, every successful shot starts with practice.
Some of these techniques can improve your competitive game, while others are simply a great way to have fun in the backyard.
And that's what cornhole is all about.
At CornholeBags.com — The Cornhole Superstore, you'll find bags, boards, and accessories for everyone from first-time players to seasoned competitors.
