In competitive and professional cornhole tournaments, stricter rules apply than in casual play. Violations can lead to warnings, invalidated throws, point deductions, or even disqualification. In this guide, we cover all official cornhole penalties that are applied during tournaments. For the full overview of the rules, go back to Official Cornhole Rules & Scoring or view the complete Cornhole Knowledge Center. New to the game? Start with What Is Cornhole?.
What are penalties in cornhole?
Penalties are sanctions imposed when a player or team commits a violation. Violations can be minor or serious and have different consequences:
- Warning – first violation, no direct impact on points
- Foul bag – throw is invalid (0 points)
- Point deduction – score adjustment or loss of the round
- Loss of turn – player may not throw again
- Disqualification – for serious or repeated violations
Foot faults & position violations
Foot faults are the most common violations in tournaments. They occur when a player:
- crosses the foul line during the release
- steps outside the pitcher’s box
- leans too far forward over the board
Foot faults & position violations
Foot faults are the most common violations in tournaments. They occur when a player:
- crosses the foul line during the release
- steps outside the pitcher’s box
- leans too far forward over the board
Penalty: The throw becomes a foul bag (0 points). In case of repetition, the referee may apply a penalty round or point deduction.
You can find more rules about position and posture in Board Setup & Player Positioning.
Illegal throws and incorrect techniques
In tournaments, clear rules apply to the execution of throws. Illegal throws include:
- overhand throws
- throws where the bag is not thrown in one smooth motion
- throwing when it is not your turn
- throws from outside the pitcher’s box
Penalty: The throw does not count and is designated as a foul bag. Repeated offenses can lead to penalty points or loss of the round.
See also Legal Cornhole Throws.
Interference or obstructing the opponent
Interference is a serious violation and includes:
- touching a bag in the air
- moving or touching a board during an active round
- intentionally blocking the line of sight or throwing space
- verbal distraction (shouting, provocation)
- physical obstruction
Penalties may vary:
- repositioning of bags (by the referee)
- point deduction
- loss of round
- disqualification in cases of severe or repeated obstruction
Related: Cornhole Foul Rules.
Bag touches the ground or objects → foul bag
A bag that:
- touches the ground
- touches a wall, chair, or body
- ends up on the board via another obstacle
is always considered a foul bag.
Penalty: Bag is removed from the board. Any displaced bags are corrected by the referee.
Time violations (shot clock violations)
In many official tournaments, a throw must be made within a certain time limit, usually 20 seconds.
- Waiting too long = warning
- Repeatedly waiting too long = foul bag
- Extreme delay = point deduction or loss of round
Shot clock application is explained in detail in Cornhole Referee Guidelines.
Misbehavior & unsportsmanlike conduct
Tournaments enforce strict rules for sportsmanship. Violations include, among other things:
- swearing, insulting, or provoking
- intentionally stalling for time
- intentionally shifting boards
- unsportsmanlike cheering or intimidation
- refusing to follow the referee’s instructions
Possible penalties:
- official warning
- loss of round
- point deduction
- disqualification
Incorrect score manipulation
Deliberately recording scores incorrectly is one of the most serious violations in competitive cornhole.
Penalties:
- immediate disqualification
- mandatory reporting to the tournament director
- possible exclusion from future events
You can find correct score explanation in Cornhole Scoring Explained and Cancellation Scoring.
Multiple violations
When multiple violations occur during the same throw or round, the referee decides which penalties are applied. This often means:
- foul bag + correction of displaced bags
- warning or immediate loss of points
- escalating to disqualification in case of repetition
Frequently asked questions about tournament penalties
What happens with a foot fault in a tournament?
The throw is declared invalid. In the case of repeated foot faults, the referee can impose penalty points.
Can I be disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct?
Yes. Serious or repeated instances of unsportsmanlike conduct can lead to immediate disqualification.
What happens if someone intentionally shifts a board?
This is serious interference and leads to loss of round or disqualification.
Am I allowed to argue with the referee?
Brief discussion is allowed, but persistent or aggressive protesting leads to penalties.
What happens if a player constantly throws too slowly?
After warnings, the throw is declared invalid. Repeated offenses result in penalty points or loss of round.
Next steps
Now that you know all the penalties, you understand how strictly cornhole rules are enforced in matches. Learn how fouls occur in Cornhole Foul Rules or see how to execute proper throws via Legal Throws. Go back to Official Cornhole Rules & Scoring or explore the full Cornhole Knowledge Center.
