Rules for Board Setup & Player Position in Cornhole

What does board setup involve?

Board setup determines how the two cornhole boards are positioned, including distance, alignment, surface, and stability. The setup of the boards affects the throws, playing experience, and fairness during matches.

The official cornhole distance between the front edges of the boards is 8.23 meters (27 ft). This distance may be shorter in casual games but is strictly enforced in tournaments.

You can find all official distance guidelines in the guide Cornhole Distance.

The pitcher's box: the only legal throwing location

Each player must stand completely within the pitcher’s box during their throw. The pitcher’s box is the rectangular area directly next to the board you are playing on.

• There is one pitcher’s box on both long sides of each board.
• Players choose a side (left or right) and use that side for the entire inning.
• The entire throw must be executed from within this area.

If you step outside this area, it often results in a foul bag or foot fault — read more about this in Cornhole Foul Rules.

The foul line

The foul line is aligned with the front edge of the board. During the throw, no part of the body may cross that line before the bag is released.

Important points:

• You may touch the line, but you may not cross it.
• Leaning forward over the line during the release is a foul.
• Stepping over the foul line before the release counts as a foot fault.

Foot faults are strictly penalized in tournaments — see Penalties & Violations in Tournaments.

How to stand correctly?

The rules do not describe an exact stance, but they do specify conditions for a legal position:

• Your feet must remain completely within or above the pitcher’s box.
• You may move or lift one foot, as long as you do not cross the foul line.
• Your arm, shoulder, or torso may not extend past the foul line during the release.
• You may not throw from the side or from behind the board.

These rules align with the official conditions for legal throws as explained in What Constitutes a Legal Throw?.

Position differences between singles and doubles

Singles and doubles use the same basic rules for stance and board setup, but player positions differ:

Singles

• Both players stand on the same side of their own board.
• They choose left or right and remain there during the inning.

Doubles

• Teammates always stand diagonally opposite each other.
• One player from each team stands at board A, their partner at board B.
• Both players must stay within their own pitcher’s box.

You can read more about the differences between the formats in Singles vs Doubles.

Common mistakes in board setup & player positioning

• Standing too close to the foul line → foot faults
• Stepping outside the pitcher’s box during the throw
• Throwing from an invalid angle, such as from behind or far off to the side of the board
• Switching positions within the same inning
• Excessive leaning over the foul line

Many of these mistakes fall under the official foul rules — see Cornhole Foul Rules.

Casual vs tournament rules for player position

In casual cornhole, the position and stance rules are often applied loosely, but in tournaments strict guidelines apply:

Casual cornhole

• Players sometimes switch positions spontaneously.
• Foot faults are rarely checked.
• The pitcher’s box is often not marked.

Tournament cornhole

• Strict enforcement by referees.
• Boards must be aligned exactly according to the rules.
• Every violation (foot fault, stepping out) immediately counts as a foul.

You can read the full comparison between casual and tournament play in Casual vs Tournament Cornhole Rules.

Frequently asked questions about player position & board setup

Do I always have to use the same side of the board?

Yes. Within the same inning you must use the same side. Between innings you may switch, unless a tournament specifies otherwise.

May my foot touch the foul line?

You may touch the line, but not cross it. Crossing it during the release is a foot fault.

Are you allowed to stand at an angle in front of the board?

Yes, as long as you stay within the pitcher’s box and do not cross the foul line.

Is player position different in doubles?

Yes. Teammates always stand diagonally opposite each other, but the stance rules remain the same.

May I throw from behind the board?

No, all throws must be made from the pitcher’s box next to the board.

Next steps

Now that you know exactly how board setup and player positioning work, you can avoid foul throws and improve your technique. Want to learn more about throws? Read Legal Cornhole Throws. For complete rules, go back to Official Cornhole Rules & Scoring and discover more in the Cornhole Knowledge Center.