- Published on
Beat the Wind: Outdoor Cornhole Tips That Actually Work
- Authors
- Name
- ACL Pro Tommy Sliker
Summary: Wind changes flight and board speed. Make the bag flatter, lower the arc, and aim to the windward side so the breeze brings you back to center. Practice the three common wind cases below.
Know your wind
- Headwind: pushes bags up, slows them down; boards often play slower.
- Tailwind: drives bags down, lengthens carry; boards feel faster.
- Crosswind: slides the bag sideways in the air; drift grows with height and spin axis.
Adjust your throw
- Flatten the bag more than usual. A truer spin shows less fabric to the wind and drifts less.
- Lower the apex 6–12 inches to reduce time aloft. Keep the same tempo, just a shallower arc.
- Add a touch of forward energy in a headwind; take a little off in a tailwind.
- For crosswind, aim windward and let the breeze carry it back. Steepen or shallow your axis slightly to counter drift.
- Land earlier on the board on gusty days to avoid late lift.
Shot selection outside
- Blocks with your slow side, then push with intent. Random slides drift more in wind.
- Consider more push‑throughs and straighter lines when gusts are inconsistent.
- Airmails: commit or skip. Half‑height “almost airmail” floats the most in wind.
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Practice plan that maps to real wind
- 5 minutes: hold a consistent lower apex (pick a banner/sign as a visual).
- 10 minutes: crosswind drill — place a blocker, aim windward, push through.
- 10 minutes: headwind — earlier landings with slow side; measure rollout vs calm.
- 5 minutes: airmail ladder — only full‑height, committed reps.
Little things that matter
- Keep bags clean and dry. Fabric with dust or moisture reacts unpredictably in wind.
- Set boards to spec and re‑measure distance; wind illusions make misses feel longer/shorter.
- If possible, orient boards so the wind is head/tail, not pure cross.