Master the flat spin and step up your game
If you’ve ever watched cornhole on ESPN, you’ve probably noticed something: those players don’t toss the bag like it’s a beanbag at a carnival. They throw with purpose—smooth, controlled, and deadly accurate. Their bags slide, stick, or drop right in the hole with crazy consistency.
But most backyard players? They flip, flop, and helicopter that bag all over the place.
The difference? One key skill: the flat spin.
Let’s break it down step by step - so you can throw like the pros and dominate your next game.
Why the Flat Spin Is Everything
Pros don’t just “lob and pray.” They throw a bag that spins like a Frisbee - flat, stable, and perfectly horizontal. This isn’t just for style. A flat-spinning bag:
- Stays on course even in wind
- Lands predictably
- Slides or sticks depending on the bag side
Watch any slow-motion video from the ACL, and you’ll see it: the bag floats with almost zero wobble, rotating smoothly all the way to the board. That’s what you’re aiming for.
The Right Grip
Grip is the foundation of a good toss.
Here’s how most pros do it:
- Shake the bag gently in your hand to even out the fill, then let about half the pellets rest in your palm.
- Place your thumb on top and fingers underneath in the mid-center area of the bag - firm but relaxed.
- Keep the bag flat in your hand - don’t fold it, bunch it, or squeeze it like a baseball.
Some players use what’s called the butterfly grip, where the bag folds slightly in the middle with edges flared - creating a more consistent release.
What matters most: You want that bag to leave your hand spinning flat, not wobbling or flipping end over end.
Your Stance and Step
Your throw starts with your body - not just your arm.
- Stand square or slightly staggered to the board
- Keep your weight balanced—don’t lean too far forward or back
- Use a smooth forward step (or stay planted if you prefer), then swing your arm like a pendulum
This isn’t about brute force - it’s all about rhythm and flow. Keep your motion consistent. If you’re jerky or tense, the bag won’t spin clean.
The Toss and Release
Now for the magic move: the release.
- Swing your arm straight forward and let go at the peak of your swing
- Your fingers should gently roll off the bag to create spin
- Aim for the bag to rotate horizontally - like a Frisbee moving underhand
Pro tip: You want a healthy amount of flat spin - enough to stabilize the bag in the air, cut through wind, and land on the board consistently. Too little spin lets the bag drift or wobble. Too much spin isn’t a problem as long as the bag stays flat.
Stick or Slide? Use the Bag’s Sides Wisely
If you’re using double-sided bags (like the ones we make at Cornhole Antics), your toss affects how the bag behaves.
- Slide side down: lands soft and glides toward the hole
- Stick side down: grips the board and stays put - perfect for blocking
Pros choose their side depending on strategy, and their flat spin ensures the bag lands exactly how they want it.
Common Throwing Mistakes
Here’s what to avoid:
- ❌ Gripping the bag like a baseball
- ❌ Throwing with no spin (bag drifts in air)
- ❌ Letting the bag flip end-over-end
- ❌ Stepping too far or leaning off balance
- ❌ Ignoring which side of the bag is down
Fix those, and your throw will instantly feel better - and look a whole lot more like what you see on ESPN.
Simple Drills to Improve Your Throw
Want to get better? Here are three easy ways to build consistency:
- Film yourself – Compare your throw to pro slow-motion clips. Look for bag angle, arm motion, and spin.
- Start at 20 feet – Practice your flat spin at a shorter distance before moving to full 27-foot tosses.
- Alternate sides – Toss the stick side and slide side intentionally. Get a feel for how each responds to your throw.
Bonus tip: Practice with high-quality bags designed for real gameplay. (Shameless plug: these are our favorite.)
Final Thoughts
Throwing a perfect cornhole bag isn’t about strength - it’s about form, feel, and finesse. Once you get the flat spin down, everything changes. You’ll control your shots. You’ll block better. You’ll sink more airmails. And you’ll probably win more games.
Practice it. Master it. And when people ask how you got so good, you can smile and say:
"I throw flat now."
Ready to Play Like a Pro?
If you're serious about improving your toss, start with the right bags. Ours are double-sided, pro-weight, and built for the kind of flat-spin throws you just learned. Shop CornholeAntics bags now →