Cornhole Yips: Why Even the Best Players Struggle
If you've watched professional cornhole lately, you've probably noticed something that has become increasingly common: the cornhole yips.
A player steps into the box.
They begin their throwing motion.
Then... they stop.
They reset.
They try again.
Maybe they double clutch.
Maybe they take a deep breath.
Maybe they can't get the bag out of their hand at all.
This isn't a mechanical issue.
It's mental.
The cornhole yips can affect anyone—from weekend players to world champions—and they often appear at the worst possible moment.
Welcome to one of the toughest challenges in competitive cornhole: the cornhole yips.
The Cornhole Yips Are Real
Many people think the cornhole yips only happen to beginners.
That's simply not true.
Some of the best players in the world have experienced moments where their mind interrupts a throw they've made thousands of times before.
During the 2026 ACL World Championships Junior Final, Gabe Clauson and Ethan Farias faced Madden Franco and Jase Webb in an incredible match.
Jase Webb looked comfortable early in the game. Then something changed.
One hesitation became another.
A double clutch appeared.
As the pressure mounted, it became harder and harder to simply throw the bag.
Eventually, the mental battle became so overwhelming that he had to take a timeout to regain composure before continuing.
If you've ever experienced the cornhole yips, you know exactly how that feels.
It Can Happen to Anyone
This isn't isolated to one player or one match.
Throughout Worlds, several professional players showed similar signs of battling the mental side of the game.
Players like:
- Cash Chamness - Tony Smith - Rilee Schoff
...and undoubtedly many others have all experienced moments where the throw simply wouldn't come naturally.
That's an important reminder.
Even elite players aren't immune.
Pressure doesn't care about your PPR.
It doesn't care how many tournaments you've won.
It only cares about the moment.
Why Do the Cornhole Yips Happen?
The cornhole yips usually aren't caused by poor mechanics.
They're caused by thinking.
Instead of allowing years of muscle memory to take over, the brain begins trying to control every tiny movement.
Questions start flooding in:
- Don't miss this one. - What if I leave it short? - I can't let my partner down. - Everyone is watching.
The result?
Your body hesitates.
The smooth throwing motion disappears.
The bag suddenly feels heavier than it ever has.
The More You Fight It, The Worse It Gets
Here's the frustrating part.
Once the hesitation happens, most players become afraid it'll happen again.
Now they're thinking about not double clutching...
...which causes another double clutch.
It's a vicious cycle.
Every hesitation reinforces the next one.
Confidence slowly disappears, even though your physical ability hasn't changed.
You're Not Broken
If you've struggled with the cornhole yips, understand this:
You're not alone.
In fact, you're in pretty good company.
Every year we see world-class players battling the exact same mental challenge on the biggest stage in the sport.
The difference isn't that they never experience it.
The difference is they continue working through it.
How to Start Breaking the Cycle
There isn't one magic solution, but there are habits that help.
Focus on one simple target.
Trust your routine.
Commit to your throw.
Accept the result before the bag even leaves your hand.
Most importantly, stop trying to throw the "perfect" bag.
You're trying to throw your bag.
The one you've thrown thousands of times.
Your body already knows how.
Your mind simply has to get out of the way.
Final Thoughts
The mental game is becoming one of the biggest conversations in competitive cornhole, and for good reason.
As skill levels continue to rise, the difference between winning and losing often isn't physical—it's psychological.
The cornhole yips don't mean you've lost your ability.
They mean you're human.
The next time you see a player double clutch, hesitate, or step away from the box to regroup, remember that you're watching someone fight a battle that can't be measured on a stat sheet.
And if you've experienced it yourself...
Know that you're far from alone.
The mental struggle is real. But it can be overcome.
For more information on the ACL, visit iplaycornhole.com
