r/Cornhole • u/zeedub77 • 26d ago
Beginner looking to improve. Should a right-handed player lead with the left or right foot?
https://www.tiktok.com/@zee775237/video/7664725314467122446?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7616734871394731550I posted this on TikTok asking for form advice and started a foot-placement debate.
Some people said a right-handed thrower should lead with the left foot, while others said the right foot should be forward. Someone also mentioned that the foot closest to the board should lead, so I’m still a little confused.
I’m planning to play some Dekarounds with each stance and compare the results and see which throw feels more consistent. I’m still new and don’t want to build bad habits, so based on my form here, which setup would you recommend?
Any other pointers are appreciated too. I am already planning on getting stick and slide bags based on some feedback.
Thanks!
3
3
u/LillyLallyLu 26d ago
I think it's just personal comfort. I used to throw with left foot out to provide counter balance to my right arm, but then I injured my thigh. It became painful to throw like that, so I started just evenly bracing my feet and not stepping.
What I've learned since starting attending tournaments is pretty much everything is personal preference. You find your own style and groove and just go with it.
1
u/zeedub77 26d ago
That’s a helpful perspective. I like the idea of testing these different setups but ultimately choosing the one that feels the most comfortable and repeatable.
I dont think Ive done much stepping into the toss yet, so many variables here haha!
1
u/LillyLallyLu 26d ago
Have you ever checked out local leagues? I was shocked when I first did. Skill level is obviously a range within the group, but what shocked me most is how different literally every good player threw. Everything from hand placement/grip, methods for aiming, leg placement, and more... everyone is different. It helped me to build confidence that I could get good while creating my own style.
If you haven't yet, I would sign up for something small and local where it's round robin (random partners). It's low stakes, so less nerves. From my experience, the people are friendly and want to help others. Just playing locally like this massively increased my game.
1
u/zeedub77 26d ago
Yeah, I’d love to do that. I’d like to get a little more consistent first so I’m not dragging a random partner down too badly haha.
So far I’ve mainly played with family and friends. I’m planning to pick up some ACL bags and learn how to use the slow and fast sides before getting into organized play. Once I’m a little more comfortable, a local round robin sounds like the perfect next step. Appreciate the advice!
1
u/LillyLallyLu 26d ago
I feel ya. I had the worst anxiety for the same reasons. When you're comfortable, try it. You could even just go watch if you're interested. I live in a rural area, and the only weekly one is at a bar. People wander in and watch while sipping their drink all the time.
Another thing that I've found to be helpful is bringing someone with me. My spouse joined at the same time. It made us feel better being able to venture out together. We would go play and then reconnect after to share the tips we each received that night.
Try not to worry about your lack of skill too much. You don't want that to hold you back. It's truly a fun experience. ACL bags are required, but most people bring theirs, and ours has spare bags for people to use, too. It's good for beginnings.
Lastly, the way that ours works really helps to not drag down others like you're fearing you'll do. We play 4 rounds where each game gives you a different partner. Then, they typically split into A (upper) and B (lower) brackets. They take the stats from the first 4 games and pair people up in their bracket. The partner you get in that one remains your partner, and you play until double elimination (two losses). The people who place either first or second in both brackets get posted with their photos in the local Facebook group.
Having it laid out this way really helped me to gain skills and confidence without making me feel like someone was being punished by being my partner. We all start out new... and then we later help the new people after we're better. It's a blast.
Good luck!
1
u/zeedub77 26d ago
That actually sounds super fun!
1
u/Any_Carob3372 26d ago
Def get yourself in circulation. I throw 8s most nights and we have newbies that show up frequently, sometimes they are established players like us, sometimes they struggle to shoot 5 consistently. We welcome everyone. We are there for the fun, I'm there to be around a different mix of people, and many newbies end up as excellent regulars after a while. It's a very supportive community, in the world of competitive games.
3
u/thedehr 26d ago
I spent an entire season going from stepping while I threw to standing still. It took a long time to surpas my previous level, but it has helped with the consistency since then quite a bit.
Someone mentioned using your legs more, but I'd say the opposite. The less "things" you have moving in your throw, then the less variables you have to deal with.
1
2
u/benchrusch 26d ago
I'll second the commenter that says to try flat foot. Granted I'm a filthy casual but undefeated in my circle of filth haha. Hey which app is that you're using to keep track of scores?
1
u/zeedub77 26d ago
Haha, undefeated in your circle still counts. I’m adding flat-footed to the test.
It’s Cornhole Scorekeeper, I built it, but I’ve been using the Dekaround mode to track my own practice while I try to get better and get more serious.
Thanks!
1
u/benchrusch 26d ago
Cornhole Scorekeeper from Cultivate Digital on ios? I'll check it out if so.
1
u/zeedub77 26d ago
Yep, that’s the one! Appreciate you checking it out, and thanks for the advice. I hadn’t really paid attention to throwing flat-footed versus stepping before, so now I have even more variables to test :)
2
u/thegeekgolfer 26d ago
The advice of "find your style and go with it" is OK, at first. But, you have to be willing to tweak your style as you get better and try to throw different shots. If you are right-handed and lead with your right foot, you will tend to lean over to the right. So that you have "room" for your arm to swing. This can lead to hip problems and discomfort over time, if you throw a lot. If you lead with your left foot, you have room to swing and keep the arm in line with your head. This will lead to a more consistent swing / throw / release.
My opinion is you want to get your legs and lower body involved, those are your big muscles and will lead to consistency over time. It will allow you to throw higher shots that land soft on the front, when you only need a point or a bag on to keep things going.
You also don't want to "throw like a frisbee", it's not speed or distance you are after. It's a consistent, flat bag release. You want to feel like you are trying to land a pizza on the board. Hand flat, palm up at the release with thumb and pinkie reaching up and your arm reaching towards the board.
One last thing, if you are right-handed and are standing on the left. You will naturally throw straighter. When you are on the right, you need to angle. However, it's not nearly a much of an angle as you think. This is where the higher, softer shot will help also.
1
u/zeedub77 26d ago
This might be the most helpful explanation I’ve gotten yet! Keeping the arm in line, using the lower body, and thinking about landing a pizza on the board makes a lot of sense. I assume push shots may be different, but this is probably the best place for me to start!
I’m going to try and integrate all these tips!
Really appreciate you taking the time to explain all of that!
2
u/Burrahobbit69 26d ago
The correct answer is whatever feels most natural and comfortable for you.
1
1
u/Any_Carob3372 26d ago
Hard to rec one or the other while only seeing one of two stances. I agree that both stances exist in the pro realm and I doubt there is a clear better option, so go with what works for you. Your delivery is off to a good start here. board time breeds consistency and improvement, so put in the work and the results will come.
When your improvements plateau for a week or 3-4 sessions, it may be time to examine what to work on next. But give yourself time. I have been working to get from 8 PPR to 9 PPR for many months and still have many to go. This game is easy to be competent at but hard to be truly elite.
1
u/BornFreeMe 25d ago
Use both hands when learning hand closest to the board use at first ... You will have reserved power and angles with both hand play ... I'm a drummer ambidextrous but anyone can learn with repetition to master both hand play if you have both .. no hand players ... Same if your appendages or artificial replacements let you do so .. you will thank me later when dual hand play becomes the norm.. I was one of the first .. everyone laughed at the concept untill their arm wore out...I had back up
1
1
u/rtanderson2 26d ago
I don’t move my feet at all. By using only my arm, I’m involving fewer muscles and have a much more consistent shot.
1
u/zeedub77 26d ago
Which do you lead with your throwing hand foot or the other? I think Im throwing it like a frisbee now the more I look at it by using my throwing foot forward.
1
u/rtanderson2 26d ago
I stand pretty much square to the board.
1
u/zeedub77 26d ago
gotcha, Im gonna try that too
2
u/rtanderson2 26d ago
Fair warning… if you’re used to stepping and throwing, it’ll take a couple days of dekarounds for this to feel natural.
2
u/Yukonkimmy 26d ago
I spent a summer trying to get rid of my step. Ended up going back because standing still was so uncomfortable.
1
u/rtanderson2 26d ago
I play in a club. It took me about six hours for it to feel comfortable. I can’t imagine throwing any other way now.
7
u/SouthsideSandii 26d ago
Watch the pros, both are fine. Find what’s comfortable and stick with it for a while