opponent’s head: Living Rent Free
As the game gets bigger and payouts get larger, naturally people are going to do every possible thing they can to gain an advantage. Remember when we could watch sports and people actually liked to be physical and just beat out their opponent? Well not anymore, now we have the actors and the not cornhole related floppers, looking at you Vlade Divac. But why do they do this? To gain an advantage, because the more you win the more money you make!
Ok, we can talk mechanics and shot selections for hours and hours, but that's not everything when it comes to this game. Let's spend some time talking about the mental side of this game. There are two sides to this, keeping your head together, and living in your opponent's head. You want to occupy your opponents head rent free. Let's talk about that part of it.
Before we dive too deep, let me preface this by saying, DON'T BE A DICK! These are some little things you can do to throw off or mess with your opponent. But we are a cornhole family, so don't take things too far.
Timing is everything. What do I mean? Well pay attention to the person you are throwing against? Are they a rhythm thrower? Well then mess with the rhythm! Slow things down, take your time between shots, step out of the box. Change your timing on when you throw your bag after they have thrown. This messes with way more people than you actually think. Going along with this, after your opponent throws a bad bag or a bag off the board, STOP! Step out of the box. Let them dwell on it for a while. Cody Henderson and Daymon Dennis are really good about doing this. If you just fire off your bag after they miss something big, they can easily shrug it off. Do what you can to let it marinate in their minds.
Going to a big tournament? Maybe don't roll up in your brand new jersey and your ultra shorts, and your brand new Hey Dudes. Have you seen White Men Can't Jump? "Give him the chump!" If you show up in all that stuff, people assume you are a decent player and they put the hammer down right away. Now if you show up in a non cornhole t shirt, jorts and a glowing pair of white New Balance, Bob Vonch style, people are going to let their guard down. I'm willing to bet that people who don't know who BTB is, assume they have him covered when he walks up to the court. Then he destroys them, dad style!
Headphone guys, you know how to bother them? Talk to them!! The key is to not chit chat, they are wearing those things to avoid that. But if you can get them to pull on of those airpods out and keep it game related, you are getting to them. Have you ever pulled a headphone out and then thrown it back in and it doesn't sit right and drives you crazy? Yea think about that. I like to do things like, when I have first throw and I know it. I wait a second and then and turn and ask the person, is it mine or yours? Seems innocent enough. Got that earbud out. Simple questions, Can you see the score? Did that go in? I know, I know, this borders on being an asshole, so I'm not saying you should do this, but when you are at the end of a tournament and there is a difference between $400 and $800 payout, that extra money seems worth being a little petty.
Chatter! This is a game where it's ok to talk. Have you seen Jordan Power throw in a big match? He gets chatty! Most the time he is talking to himself, but let me tell you, it bothers people! Irritated people don't tend to throw as well. When you are playing doubles, get hyped when your partner throws a big shot! Your excitement helps create a momentum swing!
These are just a few things to try out if you are wanting to! You don't have to do things like this, You can always take the Modlin road and kill em with kindness!
Please tell us what you guys do to mess with people or gain a little advantage! We want to hear it!
Nick
