How to Grip a Cornhole Bag: 3 Grips That Work

How you hold the bag is one of the most underrated parts of the throw. The right grip makes a flat bag stay flat and a roll bag roll, here are three grips that work and when to use each.

1. The flat (pancake) grip

Lay the bag flat across your open palm and fingers, like a small pancake. Your hand stays under the bag and releases it level. This is the go-to grip for the flat shot, it keeps the bag from tumbling so it lands flat and grips the board. If you're new, start here.

2. The pinch grip

Pinch the back edge or a corner of the bag between your thumb and fingers. The pinch gives you more control over rotation and release, a lot of players use it to start a roll bag, letting it spin off the fingertips so it lands on its edge and crawls toward the hole.

3. The corner / blanket grip

Hold the bag by a corner so it hangs like a little blanket. This grip is great for cuts and slides, the loose, hanging bag lands soft and slides predictably around blockers.

How grip changes flight

Same swing, different grip, different result. A flat-palmed release keeps the bag flat; a fingertip release puts rotation on it for a roll. Most players settle on one main grip for their flat shot and a second for their roll, then keep both consistent, pair it with a repeatable swing and you're throwing on purpose.

Grip also depends on the bag itself: a slick "fast" side slides for pushes, a grippy "slow" side grabs for rolls and stops flat. Shop ACL-approved bags or compare every bag on the speed chart to find a feel that matches your grip and your game.