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TCL Cornhole League (TCL) encourages competitive and social cornhole play for all ages and all skill levels. The TCL league makes managing tournaments, weekly leagues and bar events easy and provides the critical infrastructure for the sport of cornhole. Becoming a Player allows you to compete against people of your same skill level and always gives you an opportunity to see how you stack up against the best of the best around your area, state and region! 
 

Please Contact Us with any feedback or questions: info@TexasCornholeLeague.com
 

GET OVER THE NAME AND PLAY THE GAME 

TCL Sportsmanship Rules 

PLAYERS AND GUESTS THAT PARTICIPATE IN TCL EVENTS MUST COMPLY WITH THE TCL CODE OF CONDUCT AND CODE OF ETHICS. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE FORFEITURE OF PRIZE MONEY, REVOCATION OF MEMBERSHIP AND BAN FROM FUTURE PARTICIPATION THIS INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO TCL EVENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER PUBLIC FORUMS. 

TCL 2022-2023 Players Guide 

Membership Levels 

● Basic - FREE 

- Eligible to play in Charity events 

- Players will show up in the standings 

- No point membership bonus 
 

● Regional - $15 

- Eligible to play in ALL TCL Regional Tournaments, Local Tournaments and Switcholio's - Players will show up in the standings 

- 100 point membership bonus 
 

● Premium - $30 

- Eligible to play in ALL TCL PREMIUM EVENTS (League Championship, Ryder Cup, Signature Series and Weekly Season League Nights) 

- Eligible to play in ALL TCL Regional Tournaments, Local Tournaments and Switcholio's - Players will show up in the standings 

- 500 point membership bonus 
 

● Pro (ACO or ACL) along with Pro in Development - $650 

- Eligible to play in ALL TCL PREMIUM EVENTS (League Championship, Ryder Cup, Signature Series 

- Eligible to play in ALL TCL Regional Tournaments, Local Tournaments and Switcholio's - Players will show up in the standings 

- Includes entry into all 4 Signature Series (Singles and Doubles) 

- 500 point membership bonus 

- NO two PRO's or PRO Development Players can play together in ANY TCL POINTS EVENTS (this includes past PRO or PRO Development players for the previous 2 years) 
 

● Local Director: USD $100 – Appointed by TCL from Applications Submitted. These Directors are in a new area or smaller area. They are given the right to run Social (C/D and below TCL Points earning Regional Events. Includes (1) TCL Premium Membership. Along with switcholios and Charity events. 

For more Director Information Contact us at Team@TCLCornhole.com 
 

● Regional Director: USD $150 – Appointed by TCL from Applications Submitted. These Directors are given the exclusive right to run TCL Points earning Regional Events. Includes (1) TCL Membership. Each Regional Director can have up to (2) Co Directors $100 each. For more Director Information Contact us at Team@TCLCornhole.com 
 

● Co Director - Assistant for Local or Regional Director: USD $100 ability to run tournaments for director if director is not able to be there for TCL Points. 

Player Levels

Memberships Start on September 1st of the Season and ends July 31st of that season Player Levels 

Your Player Level will be determined by a combination of TCL SPR and Scoreholio PPR, regional director and/or TCL Board of Directors. If you are registering as a first-time / guest player read below to see where you might stand. So that you can compete against players of your similar skill level. Regional Directors may override a Player Level from B – E Tiers, if they feel a player is sandbagging. TCL Corporate may override a Player Level from A – E Tiers, if they feel a player is sandbagging. ALL PLAYERS START WITH A “D” Ranking. 

● 2022 – 2023 Criteria for Player movement will be used to move players up or down. The current TCL Player Rating Levels are: (Will go final after we finalize w/ TCL SPR)

 

● PRO Player - Recognized ACL / ACO PRO or PRO Development 

● “A” Player – This player can and wants to compete against anyone. This player can execute sliding the bag and airmailing the bag as needed. Player fully understands game strategy and likely plays and practices on a regular basis. PPR 8.30 and higher 

● “B” Player – This player fully understands game strategy but may struggle with consistency. At times this player looks like they can beat anyone, but then in a subsequent game or frame can struggle. Player is at a high Advanced level and should work towards getting better by challenging “A” level players. PPR 7.26 to 8.25 (PPR 8.15 - 8.40 based on Sig Finishes) 

● “C” Player – This player has started to develop some consistency when tossing the bag. They have a basic understanding of game strategy but have yet to master all the different types of throws including the airmail shot needed to excel and compete at the higher levels. Players 

should play Competitive level events knowing that they may struggle at first, but work towards getting better. PPR 6.26 and 7.25 

● “D” Bagger – This player has a feel for the distance needed to toss the bag but is erratic in getting the bag to consistently hit and stay on the board. Typically, this level of player is in the beginning stages of developing a consistent throwing motion that can be repeated. Players should play in the social division and start challenging themselves by playing against Competitive level players. PPR 4.00 to 6.25 

● “E” Player – This player has limited to no experience with the game. There is very little control over where the bag is going, and the bag often misses the board. This player should only compete in social / backyard events and there is nothing wrong with playing casual games with friends and family to start the improvement process. PPR 3.99 and below 

*** TCL Reserves the right to give any player a TCL ranking even if that player has yet to play in a TCL event. If you are a registered PRO player with a National Organization, you will automatically be classified as an PRO. You will need to verify with the national organization that you are considered a “PRO” IF you are eligible to play TCL. You will need to send in written authorization to Jason@TexasCornholeLeague.com from that organization that you are eligible to play TCL. TCL reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any player wanting to play TCL each season before that person is eligible to play. 

Automatic Bumps 2022-2023 

“A” 

- Auto 

o Singles Top 5 in Open Signature Series 

o Doubles Top 3 in Open Signature Series 

“B” 

- Auto 

o Singles Top 5 in Advanced Signature Series 

o Doubles Top 3 in Advanced Signature Series 

“C” 

- Auto 

o Singles Top 5 Competitive in Signature Series 

o Doubles Top 3 Competitive in Signature Series 

o Any player that is a D or E that signs up and plays in 

Open or Advanced Signature Series 

“D” 

- Auto 

o All new players start as a D player 

“E” Playing in a TCL Charity Event or Players that Finish in the bottom half of all of their first 4 Regional Events. You will need to email Jason@TexasCornholeLeague.com to have this adjusted. 

If you obtain an Auto bump it will take effect after the Signature Series that you earned that bump for any event within 10 days after the Sunday of that Signature Series 

TCL Events are created based on the following: 

● Area – Charity, Local Switcholios, Regionals, Signature Series (League Events) ● Type – Switchholios, Singles Tournaments, Doubles Tournaments, Weekly League Nights ● Division – “Open”, “A/B”, “B” doubles only, “B/C”, “C”, “D” and “E” (Charity) 

Directors may set up events specific to other criteria like Gender, Player Level, and Player Type. ANY Charity Event No matter what division will be for LOCAL POINTS ONLY. 

TCL Tournament Divisions 

TCL Divisions are intended to group players of similar skill levels for competitive and social play. The suggested skill levels for each Division are: 

● Open – Anyone can play in the Open Tournament knowing that this is where the best of the best competes. You can still run an Open Division for weekly league night. Most “A” and “B” players will play at this level as well if they are trying to improve and get maximum points opportunities. Advanced “C” players will play up in the open division to test their skills to see where they fit in. 

NO two PRO's or PRO Development Players can play together in ANY TCL POINTS EVENTS Eligible Teams: 

Any two players can play together regardless of Tier Status (NO 2 PRO Players) 

● “A/B” – The “A/B’ Tournament is intended for open and advanced players to play but is limited to where the “A” players have to play with a “B” or lower. Hughes Level for Regional Tourneys 

Eligible Teams: 

“A” Player and “B” Player 

Any other combination lower than this 

● “B” – The “B’ Tournament is intended for advanced players to play but limited who the “A” players can play with. “B” Tournaments are only allowed for Doubles. NO “B” Singles Events Eligible Teams: 

“A” Player and “C” Player 

“B” Player and “B” Player 

Any other combination lower than this 

● “B/C” – The “B/C” Tournament is intended for your upper level players to spread out and help the Social “D” players see how they fit in. 

“B/C” is the HIGHEST division that can be run for sanctioned charity events and for Local points ONLY. 

Eligible Teams: 

“A” Player and “D” Player 

“B” Player and “C” Player 

Any other combination lower than this 

● “C” – The “C” Tournaments are intended for Competitive players. 

Eligible Teams: 

“A” Player and “E” Player 

“B” Player and “D” Player 

“C” Player and “C” Player 

Any other combination lower than this 

● “D” – The “D” Tournament is designed for Social players that enjoy playing casually to a competitive cornhole player. Social players that can enjoy the sport and events without having to run into the cream of the crop to have a chance at winning some money and prizes. Eligible Teams: 

“A” and “B” Players are not allowed to play 

“C” Player and “E” Player 

“D” Player and “D” Player 

Any other combination lower than this 

● “E” – The “E” Tournament is intended for beginners and large events that have a lot of backyard players. Most “NEW” players will play in this Division if it is offered. Eligible Teams: 

“E” Players are the only Tier that is allowed to play in this tournament 

TCL provides players of all skill levels an opportunity to play locally while participating in local, regional and league standings. The 2022 – 2023 TCL Standings is based on a points system for local / switchholio tournaments, regional weekly leagues, regional tournaments along with Signature Series League Events. TCL uses standings for entry and seeding into Regional Tournaments (RD choice), Signature Series League Events and the 12th Annual TCL League Championship June 8-10, 2023 in Shreveport, LA 

The Points Season starts September 1st, 2022 and goes until May 28th, 2023 

TCL Bag Policy 

TCL believes that players should be able to have a choice when it comes to bags that they use during their games. TCL has set guidelines and created a list of Approved “TCL” Bag Series and Bag Manufacturers. Players are required to use properly stamped TCL bags from that list for any TCL Points earning Local/Switchholio, Regional, Weekly League Nights, Regional Tournaments and Signature Series League Events. If a player does not have bags on the list Regional Directors may be able to provide that player with an approved set or the player will need to borrow a set. If purchasing bags please allow up to 4 days from date of purchase to receive bags from the Big Tex Cornhole Gear store. 

ALL NEW TCL Approved BAGS will be sold ONLY from the Big Tex Gear Store www.BIGTEXGEAR.com 

Manufacturers are NOT able to sell, donate or give ANY TCL Stamped bag that does NOT go through the Big Tex Gear Store first. 

BAGS NOT ELIGIBLE for PLAY IN SEASON XIII:

  • Reynolds Pro Advantage, Sheriff, Sheriff Pro Edge Speed 

  • AllCornhole Big Tex Game Changer and Big Tex Sliderite 

  • Big Tex Spinners and BG Big Tex Series bags

  • All Patch Bags 

REGIONAL Tournaments: 

● A Regional Director may run TCL Regional Points Tournaments for 2022-2023 in TCL following the rules below. 

● MAX number of tournaments for a given day is 4. Tournaments have to be posted for at least 10 days on social media in order to count for points unless approved by TCL Owners. 

● In order for a Regional tournament to be awarded TCL points you must have a minimum of 12 players (for Singles) and 8 teams (for Doubles) per division. If you do not have 12 singles or 8 doubles then that tournament will be counted for Social Points (“D” / “E”). 

● In order for a Weekly League to be worth TCL points you must have a minimum of 8 teams (for Doubles). If you do not have 8 doubles then that league will be counted for “B/C” or “C” for highest level. 

● Payouts are guaranteed to be in a range of 50% - 90% of the entry fees. Payouts may vary based on Regional Director. Entry fees will typically range from $10 to $30 per tournament. If a Regional Director wants to payout less than 50% or more than 90% that Regional Director will need to get a waiver first from TCL and post this on the event page. 

● The Highest Level a Charity Tourney can be run is B/C Division 

You can also run a “D” or “E” division for Charity events 

● No “B” Singles events. All Advanced singles events will be Open Singles 

TCL Points Standings: 

● TCL Overall Standings Card will include your top 

  • Top 4 Local Tournaments (Switcholios/Charity) 

  • Top 3 Regional Singles 

  • Top 6 Regional Doubles 

  • Top 2 Weekly Regional Doubles Leagues 

  • Top 2 Signature Series Singles 

  • Top 3 Signature Series Doubles 

  • TCL annual membership 

*All other events in scorecard will be crossed out (meaning you have a higher score already) 

 

TCL Regional Points Earning Tournament Breakdown 

Membership Levels
Player Levels
Atomatic Bumps
Tournament Divisions
Bag Policy
Regional Tournaments
Regional Points Earning Tournament Breakdown
TCL Regional Points 22-23.png
TCL Charity Points 22-23.png

SIGNATURE SERIES LEAGUE EVENTS 

Signature Series League Events are intended to provide players an opportunity to compete against the BEST players from all TCL regions and players from Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and Arkansas. 

TCL Signature Series are being formed at the discretion of the TCL. Ideally, there will be 4 Signature Events. The League Championship Event will be held June 8th - 10th, 2023. 

● The 2 Full Day Signature Series events will include 

Singles (Friday) - Open, Advanced, Competitive and Social 

Doubles (Saturday) - Open, Advanced Competitive and Social 

● Payouts are guaranteed to be a minimum of 50% - 80% of the entry fees. $120 for the Open and Advanced Division, $100 for Competitive Division and $80 for the Social Division. Entry includes Singles and Doubles if only playing one event see per bracket breakdown. 

● TCL Standings will take the Top 2 Signature Singles scores and Top 3 Signature Series Doubles scores for TCL Overall Points Rankings. 

SEASON XIII - 2022-2023 Signature Series Dates 

  • 1st- Shreveport September 16th/ 17th Shreveport Convention Center (Venue / Host Hotel attached) 

  • *** Ryder Cup December 16th/ 17th Fort Worth Convention Center TCL (Venue / Host Hotel walking distance) 

  • 2nd- DFW January 20th/ 21st DFW 

  • (Venue / Host Hotel walking distance) 

  • 3rd- West Texas March 3rd/ 4th West Texas 

  • (Venue / Hotel Attached) 

  • 4th- Irving May 12th/ 13thIrving Convention Center (Venue / Host Hotel walking distance) 

  • *** TCL League June 8th/ 9th/ 10th Shreveport Convention Center Championship (Venue / Hotel Attached) 

  • TCLCornhole.com 

TCL Signature Series Events Point Breakdown 

 

Signature Series Leauge Events
TCL Signature Series Events Point Breakdown 
TCL Sig Points 22-23.png
TCL Rules & Regulations

SIGNATURE SERIES ELIGIBILITY - PRO PLAYERS 

PRO TCL Membership paid by September 1st, 2022 

for all PRO players or PRO Development in a national organization or 10 days after you receive your PRO status. 

SIGNATURE SERIES SCHEDULE 

2022 - 2023

TCL STANDINGS 

● TCL Overall Standings include both Singles and doubles events. 

● TCL Standings can be sorted by the following: Overall, Conference or Region o Overall TCL Standings 

o Gender 

o Conference 

o Region 

● Signature Series Points Standings is a Combination of: 

o Top 2 Singles Points 

o Top 3 Doubles Points 

● Regional Tournament Standings are Based on a Combination of: 

o Top 6 Regional Doubles Points 

o Top 4 Regional Singles Points 

● Regional Weekly Leagues are Based on a Combination of: 

o Top 2 Regional League Points (from Fall, Winter or Spring) 

● Local Switcholios / Charity Tournament Standings are Based on a Combination of: o Top 2 Local Points 

*The Male and Female player who finishes the season with the most overall Points will be named the TCL Player of the Year. 

TCL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP 

JUNE 8th – 10th, 2023 

Shreveport Convention Center 

The TCL League Championship will be a multi-day event that will be held in June 2023 at Shreveport Convention Center, minimum 2-day event). As with 2022, it is anticipated that the total prize pool for all events will EXCEED $50,000! Live Stream broadcasts will also be held for many of the events. 

POST SEASON ELIGIBILITY 

TCL League Championship 

PRO or PRO Development 

- Paid Pro Membership 

A players 

- No Limitations to playing in postseason 

TCL RULES AND REGULATIONS 

1. Equipment 

a. BOARDS 

i. Boards shall be made of wood for use in TCL sanctioned events. The most common types are maple, birch and oak. 

ii. Boards shall have a finished coat that features a smooth texture. 

iii. Boards must measure two feet wide and four feet long, with a +/- ¼ inch tolerance. iv. The hole must be 6 inches (+/- 1/8 inch) in diameter, centered width wise. 

1. The center of the hole must be 9 inches (+/- 1/8 inch) from the back edge of the 

board. 

v. Boards must have a minimum top layer thickness of ¾ inch with cross-section support. vi. Boards must have a weight of at least 15 pounds. 

vii. The front edge of the board should be raised 3 ¼” from the ground (+/- ¼ inch). 

viii. The top of the board should rest 12 inches above the ground (+/- ¼ inch). 

ix. No foreign substances may be applied to a board after it has been purchased from a manufacturer. 

1. Substances include but are not limited to baby powder, cleaning spray, and 

silicone sprays. 

2. A dry cloth may be used to wipe down a board prior to play. 

b. BAGS 

i. Players must supply their own TCL Approved Bags for play in a TCL sanctioned event. 1. Directors may provide players with bags as long as they meet the bag criteria 

listed below. 

ii. Regardless of division, bags used in play must be on the TCL Approved Bag List published annually. 

iii. Bags must measure 6 inches wide and 6 inches long (+/- ¼ inch). Square in shape 

iv. Bags must weigh between 15.5 and 16.25 ounces. 

v. Bags must have a thickness no less than 1.125 inches and no greater than 1.5 inches. vi. Bags may be filled with any filler that does not damage or leave residue on a bag 

vii. Rounded corners are allowed but the corner shall not be farther away than 0.75” from the corner of a 6” square. 

viii. After purchase from the manufacturer, bags may not be altered in any way. 

1. Alterations include repair, stitching, removing resin, adding resin, ironing, and 

any other manipulation that results in a bag becoming different than the original 

state of purchase. 

2. Players may wash bags using fabric softener and/or detergent and dry in the 

dryer. PLAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DYE BAGS A DIFFERENT COLOR. 

3. Players may label their bags with initials or a name with a permanent marker. 

The label must not exceed 1 inch. 

4. Bags with holes where plastic resin can leak will not be allowed. 

ix. Bags must feature a TCL logo and or stamp from the manufacturer with TCL logo also. 

1. Faded logos will not be accepted. A player MAY NOT have his or her bags 

re-stamped and reapproved by the manufacturer. Manufacturers are not 

allowed to re-stamp or re-logo a bag. 

x. Bags are not required to, but usually feature two different materials on each side. 

1. Any cloth, suede, or fabric like material is permitted for use on either side of a 

bag. 

2. There are currently no banned materials for use, but the Texas Cornhole League 

reserves the right to deem a set of bags “not permitted” if a material is found 

either to be either: 

a. Damage to equipment. 

b. Damaging the integrity of the game. 

xi. Players may dry bags, but no foreign substances can be applied to the outside of a cornhole bag. 

xii. All bags in a set of four must have the same design and color for each corresponding side on all four bags. 

1. For example, a player may use a gray suede side and a red duck cloth side for a 

cornhole bag. All three of the other bags must have a red duck cloth side and a 

gray suede side. 

2. For example, a player cannot have four bags that have a gray suede side and 

alternating colors of red, blue, yellow, and green on the duck cloth side of the 

bag. 

3. A Player may not switch bags during a singles game (but can after a single game 

in a series) unless a bag has been unintentionally damaged and leaking or if a 

bag mid game has been unintentionally altered such that it affects the play of 

the game differently for one player in comparison to the other. In the event of a 

damaged bag all four bags in that set must be swapped out at the end of the 

round for a new set of four bags (intentional damage leads to forfeit of the 

game). 

xiii. If a player finishes a tournament and has earned prize money for his or her performance, the Texas Cornhole League reserves the right to inspect all bags used by that player throughout the tournament. 

1. If any bags used by that player are inspected and found to not meet the criteria 

above, the player will forfeit all of his or her prize money for that tournament. 

2. Layout 

a. COURT 

i. A court is defined as the total area of play for a cornhole game consisting of two boards. b. PITCHER’S BOX 

i. A rectangle measuring 3 feet wide by 4 feet long (length of board) on either side of a board designates a player’s pitcher’s box. 

c. LANES 

i. A lane is defined as two pitcher’s boxes directly across from one another on two different boards on one court. 

ii. If a right handed player is in the pitcher’s box forcing his right hand to be directly over a board, the other pitcher’s box in his or her same lane would be on the opposite board forcing his 

right hand to be on the outside towards the edge of play. 

iii. In doubles play players on the same team will line up directly across from each other in the same lane, not diagonally from each other in opposite lanes. 

d. BOARDS 

i. 2 boards should be located exactly 27 feet (+/- ½ inch) apart, from front of one board to front of another. 

ii. The front edges of the 2 boards must face each other. 

e. FOUL LINE 

i. The foul line is designated as the front end of the board, which is also marked by the front edge of a player’s pitcher’s box. 

f. VERTICAL CLEARANCE 

i. For play indoors or under covering, the recommended minimum vertical height of a ceiling or covering is 12 feet. If you have a ceiling height lower than this you need to 

disclose this on your event page for players to see before the event. 

g. SCORE TOWER 

i. 1 score tower per court (2 sets of boards) should be used and shall be placed a 

minimum of 1 foot behind one board, outside of the field play. 

1. Score towers are not required for play. 

3. PRE-GAME 

a. COIN TOSS 

i. Each game begins with a coin toss. One player or team flips a coin and the other player or team calls their choice “heads” or “tails”. 

ii. In singles play, the winner of the coin toss will choose which lane he or she will pitch in for the entirety of the game and choice of bag color OR First Bag to be thrown to start the game 

iii. In doubles play, the winner of the coin toss will choose bag color and either choose (not both): 

1. The lane and location of each player of that team which will be permanent for 

the entirety of the game and first bag to be thrown to start the game. 

2. The player matchup for each board. 

iv. In doubles play, the loser of the coin toss will get to decide the outcome of the other option in the previous bullet not selected by the winning coin toss team. 

v. In a series best of 3. The loser of the coin toss in game 1 will have the first choice in game 2. If the match goes to a 3rd game you will use a coin toss to determine the choice. 

b. PRACTICE 

i. Unless unanimously decided otherwise by all players on a court, it is customary to complete a “down and back” practice round before beginning a game. 

1. For singles play, players will complete one round of practice throws, walk 

down to the other board staying in their same corresponding lanes, and 

then complete one additional round of practice throws before the game 

begins. 

2. For doubles play, competing players on one board will complete one round 

of practice throws, and then each player’s corresponding doubles partner 

will complete a practice round throwing from the opposite board in the 

same lane as their partner before the game begins. 

c. BAG CHALLENGING 

i. If a player or team believes that the opposing player or team is using a set of bags that does not abide by the bag policy, they may challenge the bags before the beginning of the game. 1. To complete a challenge, a Texas Cornhole League director or board member 

(also referred to as an official) not currently playing in the game must be 

contacted and he or she will complete a bag inspection. 

a. If the set of bags are approved, the game is set to begin as 

scheduled. 

b. If the set of bags are not approved, that player or team is 

given a warning and the bags cannot be used for that 

game. The team or player must find an alternate set of 

bags to use for the remainder of a tournament. 

2. If a player or team already with a warning during one season has the same 

set of bags challenged OR has a different set of bags challenged that are, in 

turn, disallowed, that player or team forfeits all remaining matches in that 

tournament and is given a 1 month suspension from the Texas Cornhole 

League. 

3. If a player who has already served his or her 1 month ban is found to be 

playing with bags in a TCL sanctioned tournament that does not meet the 

bag requirements again, he or she will be suspended for the remainder of 

the season and or the following season also. 

ii. Bags that are not challenged prior to a match are deemed acceptable for use during that match. 

1. As mentioned previously, TCL still reserves the right to inspect a player’s or 

team’s bags used in a tournament at its conclusion. If any of the bags do not 

meet the bag requirements, that player or team will forfeit the winnings for the 

tournament. 

4. GAMEPLAY 

a. PROPER PITCHING TECHNIQUE 

i. A pitch is defined as one player throwing a cornhole bag towards the opposite board from which he or she is standing attempting to make the bag onto the board or into the hole. 

1. A player is not necessarily required to attempt to contact the board. He or 

she may voluntarily choose to earn zero points on a pitch by pitching the bag 

intentionally off to the side or short of the board. 

ii. A pitch of a cornhole bag must be underhand. NO over hand pitches. 

iii. Upon release of the bag during a pitch, a player must have at least part of one foot inside the pitcher’s box. 

iv. A player may not step on or over the foul line during a pitch of a cornhole bag. 

1. In the event of a player stepping over a line at any time during game play, excluding during a timeout, an official should be contacted. 

2. Once the official is contacted, he or she will come watch the remainder of the 

match. 

3. If the player steps over or on the foul line during this observation. The player will 

receive a warning from the official if NO team has 15 or more points. If 15 or 

more points go to #4 rule below. 

4. For every pitch from that point in the game onward that the player steps on or 

over the foul line, he or she will have the bag corresponding to that pitch 

forfeited. 

a. A forfeited bag will be removed from the area of play during that 

round by the official with as little disturbance to play as possible. 

i. If the forfeited bag has already caused bags in play to 

move, the player or team opposing the player who pitched 

the forfeited bag decides to either (not both): 

1. Have an official place the moved bags back in 

their original location as best as possible per 

instructions by both teams. 

2. Accept the new bags’ locations and proceed 

through the remainder of the round. 

b. Any scoring that is unavoidable when removing the bag 

from play will still count. 

b. SEQUENCE OF PLAY 

i. Rounds 

1. A round is defined as a complete sequence of 8 bags thrown by two players 

(4 each) towards one board. 

2. Scoring is calculated at the conclusion of each round. 

3. A Player may adjust the board to which he or she is pitching only before a 

round if it is misaligned or not at the correct distance. 

a. A player may adjust the board from which he or she is pitching at any point as long as it does not disrupt the opposing players’ pitch, 

in which case that player would have his or her next bag forfeited. 

ii. Pitch Sequence 

1. A game begins with a round in which the winner of the coin toss chooses who 

pitches the first bag. 

2. The opposing player at the same board in the opposite lane then pitches his or 

her first bag. 

3. Pitching alternates until all 8 bags (4 by each player) have been pitched which 

concludes the round. 

4. For singles play, the players will then walk to the other board, remaining in their 

designated lane, and complete another round of pitching. 

5. For doubles play, the two players’ partners at the opposite board will then 

complete another round of pitching. 

6. Playing continues until a score of at least 21 points is achieved by one team at 

the conclusion of a round. 

a. A player or team does not have to win by a minimum of 

two points. 

b. A player or team is not penalized for achieving a score 

over 21 points, the game is finished and that player or 

team wins the game. 

7. If a player pitches in an incorrect sequence, the bag or bags that is 

Incorrectly pitched is forfeited. 

a. Then, to reestablish the correct sequence of pitching, the 

opposing player will pitch two consecutive bags. 

8. If a player refuse to finish a game, that player will forfeit the game by a 

a score of 21-0. 

9. If one partner of a doubles team cannot finish the match for any reason 

that game will be forfeited by the team that could not finish by a score of 

21-0. 

iii. Timing 

1. Each player will have 12 seconds to pitch his or her bag from the 

moment that the opposing players’ bag comes to rest on the other end. 

a. If a player has the first pitch in a round, they will have 45 

seconds from when the last bag from the previous round 

comes to rest on that side of play for doubles and 1 

minute for singles play. 

2. Bags must not be picked up while still moving. Players can pick up bags 10 

seconds after the bag comes to a complete stop. 

3. In singles play, each player is awarded (2) 90 second timeouts. 

a. During a timeout, a player may leave the pitcher’s 

box to view the other board. 

b. If a player crosses the foul line prior to pitching a 

bag attempting to get closer to the opposing 

board for viewing purposes, it is inferred that the 

player is choosing to take a timeout. 

c. Timeouts taken in excess of the allowed timeouts 

will lead to that player or team forfeiting all 

remaining bags during that round. 

4. Touching of the bags is prohibited. 

a. If a player (or a player’s teammate) touches their own bags that are on board during 

the timeout (or during play outside of a timeout before the round is complete), the 

bags touched will be removed and valued as 0 points. 

b. Any opposing bags touched on board will be removed and become an automatic 3 

points per bag. 

c. If any bags still need to be thrown. All untouched bags will remain on board when 

play is resumed. 

5. In doubles play, each team is awarded (1) 90 second timeout. a. Same timeout rules apply as above. 

IV. TCL League Nights 

1. ALL Leagues will follow the same guidelines for leagues except the Regional 

Director will have the authority to choose how they handle subs and ghost play 

for their particular league. ALL POINTS AWARDED BASED ON REGULAR SEASON. 

2. Regional Directors will need to post the league rules on their group page and 

define their substitution policy and ghost play policy. 

c. SCORING 

i. Scoring is always completed at the end of a round, not during. 

ii. A bag lying on top of the board at the end of a round is valued at 1 point. 

iii. A bag through the hole at the end of a round is valued at 3 points. 

iv. A bag that neither went through the hole nor is lying on top of the board at the end of the round is valued at 0 points. 

1. Bags that are lying on top of the front edge of the board but are 

touching the ground are valued at 0 points. 

2. Bags that touched the ground or any other surface before touching the 

board or going into the hole are valued at 0 points and must be 

removed from the board by an official. 

a. If this bag causes other bags on the board to move, the 

final resting places of the bags will count. 

v. All scoring for a round features cancellation. 

1. For example, Player A pitches 3 bags in the hole and 1 bag on the board for a total of 10 points. Player B pitches 2 bags in the hole and 2 bags on the board for a total of 8 points. 

Player A will then earn 2 points (10-8=2) towards his or her overall score (or 

teams’ score for doubles play). 

vi. In some instances, the bags in the hole will stack on top of each other until they 

reach the threshold of the hole. In this instance, a player may ask a spectator to 

“sweep” the bags from under the hole. 

1. If a player throws a bag and it “hangs” in the hole but is touching a bag 

in the hole, an official must come and, if at all possible, “sweep” the 

bags in the hole without disturbing or touching the hanging bag. 

a. If the hanging bag does not fall into the hole after a 

correct “sweep”, the bag is valued at 1 point. 

b. If the hanging bag unavoidably falls into the hole after a 

correct “sweep” the bag is valued at 3 points. 

vii. Players must wait 10 seconds after a bag comes to a stop on the board before the 

players may pick up a bag at the end of the round. If a bag is slick enough that it 

begins to slide down on the board, players must wait for that bag to come to a 

complete stop before proceeding with a round. 

d. PLAYER INTERACTION/ PLAYER CONDUCT 

i. Players may not make contact with each other during game play with the intent to 

disrupt pitching motions. 

1. If a player disrupts another player’s pitch with obvious intent, an 

official reserves the right to disqualify a player for that game 

resulting in a forfeit. 

ii. Players may not interfere with an opponent’s bag during its flight path. 

1. If a player interferes with the flight of a bag, the rest of that player’s 

bags are forfeited for the remainder of the round and the pitching 

player gets to re-pitch the bag. 

a. If bags in play are moved as a result of the interfered bag, 

see section IV.biii.2.b for how to proceed. 

iii. Talking, yelling, and movement that is distracting to the opposing team is not 

permitted. 

1. TCL and its officials reserve the right to deem any behavior 

inappropriate if it harms the integrity of the game. 

2. Officials may award warnings to any players who display inappropriate 

behavior. 

3. If a player continues to display inappropriate behavior during a 

tournament after receiving a warning from an official, the official 

reserves the right to disqualify the player for the remainder of the 

tournament. 

iv. Coaching is not permitted during a match by Spectators. 

1. Spectators standing on the opposite side of the board may not 

comment on specific bag situations. 

2. Spectators may not give specific strategic advice to a player during a 

game. This includes spectators that may be in the ear of a player on the 

same side of the board during a game. 

3. Spectators may encourage players with general statements like “push 

the bags in” or “drag the bags in” or “nice block” as long as it is not 

intended as coaching the player. 

4. In Doubles and other Team Events, teammates may coach players as 

long as they are clearly identifiable and do not interfere with the timing 

of the play. 

5. The TCL Directors and League may punish spectators and players 

engaged in coaching however they see fit. 

v. Player Conduct 

1. The TCL and its officials reserve the right to deem any behavior 

inappropriate if it harms the integrity of the game or the reputation 

of the TCL. 

2. Officials may award warnings to any players who display 

inappropriate behavior including but not limited to negative 

references towards the TCL, throwing bags in anger, cursing, 

fighting, inappropriate gestures and comments disparaging the TCL, 

its staff, sponsors, players, and fans. 

3. If a player continues to display inappropriate behavior during a 

tournament, on social media or in the presence of sponsors after 

receiving a warning from an official, the official reserves the right to 

disqualify the player for the remainder of the tournament and/or 

ban them from playing in the TCL for the entire season. 

4. If a player makes physical conduct with another player or 

spectator with the intent to harm that player will be suspended 

for 90 days and 1 Signature Series Event. If the same player does 

this again in TCL the suspension is 6 months and the Ryder Cup or 

League Championship. If a player does this a third time that 

player is suspended for the remainder of that season and the next 

2 seasons. 

TCL Cornhole League reserves the right to make changes to the rules and regulations as they see fit during or after the 2020-2021 season. If Rules are adjusted the rule will be posted for Regional Directors to share with their regions. 

Rule Changes during the season will require a Supermajority of 80% votes for the change by TCL Ownership. 

Rules for Season 13 - 2022 – 2023 Season can be adjusted before November 15th, 2022 or can be adjusted after this date with an announcement of rule change along with approved majority from regional directors. 

 

Signature Series Schedule
Signature Series Championship Schedule
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TLC League Championship
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