What makes a throw in cornhole “legal”? According to the official cornhole rules, every throw must meet fixed guidelines regarding stance, foot position, throwing technique, and timing. On this page we fully explain what a legal throw is, when a throw is declared invalid, and how to avoid mistakes. For all official rules you can return to the main pillar Official Cornhole Rules & Scoring or continue learning in the Cornhole Knowledge Center. New to the game? Start with What Is Cornhole?.
What is a legal cornhole throw?
A throw is legal when it complies with all official rules for:
- Player position (pitcher's box)
- Foot placement during the throw
- Correct release (hand off the bag before crossing the foul line)
- Throws within the turn order
- Throws within the time limit
The basic principles of stance and position are explained in Board Positioning & Player Stance Rules.
The pitcher's box: the only allowed throwing location
Each player must complete their entire throw from within the pitcher’s box, the rectangle next to their own board.
- You may not step outside your box before the release.
- You may not cross the foul line.
- Your front foot may touch the line but may not go over it.
Violations of these rules often lead to foot faults. Full foul rules can be found in Cornhole Foul Rules and tournament sanctions in Penalties & Violations.
What counts as a foot fault?
A foot fault is one of the most common errors in cornhole and always results in a foul bag (0 points).
A foot fault occurs when:
- Your foot crosses the foul line during the release
- You step outside the pitcher’s box during the throw
- You release the bag while leaning forward past the foul line
In tournaments, foot faults are strictly monitored. The guidelines for this can be found in How to Judge a Cornhole Game.
Correct release of the bag
A throw is only legal when the bag is released before the player crosses the foul line. Additional conditions:
- The bag must be thrown in one smooth motion.
- No underhand throw? Yes, underhand is allowed — overhand is not.
- The bag must leave the hand before any part of the body crosses the foul line.
Forms such as airmails, sliders, roll shots, and cuts are all allowed as long as they are executed correctly.
The throw must occur within the turn order
A valid throw must be made when the player is actually up. If you throw when it is not your turn, it is a foul.
The turn order is determined by:
- The winner of the previous round
- The starting order within the same round
For a full explanation of turn order: How Turn Order Works in Cornhole Matches.
Time limit per throw
In official leagues and tournaments the player must make their throw within a fixed time limit (usually 20 seconds) after it becomes their turn.
Waiting too long can be penalized by a referee.
When is a throw invalid?
A throw becomes a foul bag when:
- The bag touches the ground before the board
- A foot fault is committed
- A throw is made out of turn
- A throw is made from outside the pitcher's box
- The player interferes with the board or opponent during the throw
More fouls and examples can be found in Cornhole Foul Rules.
Recommended legal throwing techniques
Although players use all kinds of styles, the most common legal techniques are:
- The classic slick-side slider
- The airmail (directly through the hole)
- The blocker (bag lands in front of the hole)
- The roll shot (light topspin to go over blockers)
All techniques are legal as long as you throw within the rules. Want to learn how to improve your throw? Then read our guide on Cornhole Technique.
Common mistakes in throws
- Release too late (over the foul line)
- Throwing foot outside the pitcher’s box
- Standing too close to the foul line
- Bags that touch the ground before the board
- Unknowingly throwing out of turn
Many of these mistakes stem from misinterpretation of the rules. We cover that in Common Rule Misunderstandings in Cornhole.
Legal throws in casual vs tournament cornhole
In casual games many rules are interpreted loosely, whereas tournaments are strict:
- Casual: foot faults are often ignored
- Tournament: every fault has consequences
- Casual: the throw may come from anywhere
- Tournament: only within the pitcher's box
The full comparison between casual and tournament formats can be found in Casual vs Tournament Cornhole Rules.
Frequently asked questions about legal cornhole throws
Are you allowed to throw overhand in cornhole?
No, overhand throwing is not allowed. Underhand is the standard and mandatory technique.
May my foot touch the foul line during the throw?
The foot may touch the line but may not cross it. If you do, it is a foot fault.
How do I know if I am standing within the pitcher's box?
The box is the rectangular area next to your board. Both feet must remain within or above this area during the entire throw.
Is a throw valid if the bag hits the ground first and then bounces onto the board?
No. A bag that touches the ground before it comes onto the board counts as a foul bag and is removed from the board.
What happens if I throw out of turn?
The throw does not count and is considered a foul. In tournaments, additional penalties may apply.
Next steps
Now that you know what a legal throw is, you can improve your technique and accuracy. For more cornhole knowledge, go back to Official Cornhole Rules & Scoring or dive into scoring via Cornhole Scoring Explained and Cancellation Scoring. Discover more about foul rules, game position, and tiebreakers within the Cornhole Knowledge Center.
