ACO OFFICIAL RULES - American Cornhole...ACO OFFICIAL RULES 22221 A C C ACO OFFICIAL RULES FOR THE...

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AMERICAN CORNHOLE.COM AMERICAN CORNHOLE ORGANIZATION ACO WE ARE CORNHOLE © 2019-2020 American Cornhole, LLC ACO OFFICIAL RULES FOR THE SPORT OF CORNHOLE

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Page 1: ACO OFFICIAL RULES - American Cornhole...ACO OFFICIAL RULES 22221 A C C ACO OFFICIAL RULES FOR THE SPORT OF CORNHOLE CHAPTER 1 CORNHOLE PLAYING EQUIPMENT 1.5 PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES

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ACO OFFICIAL RULES FOR THE SPORT OF CORNHOLE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 ACO APPROVED EQUIPMENT 1.1 ACO Approved Equipment

1.2 ACO Approved Boards

1.3 ACO Approved Bags

1.4 ACO Approved Bag Specs

1.5 Player Responsibilities for Bags

1.6 Additional Player Guidelines for Bags

CHAPTER 2 CORNHOLE COURTS 2.1 Cornhole Court Layout

2.2 Cornhole Court Preparation and Maintenance

CHAPTER 3 SCORING 3.1 Length of Games

3.2 Bag Terminology

3.3 Foul Bags

3.4 Methods of Scoring

3.5 Recording the Score

CHAPTER 4 PLAY OF THE GAME 4.1 Overview of Singles and Doubles Play

4.2 Pitching Rotation, Lane Assignments, & Bag Color

4.3 Pitching Cornhole Bags

4.4 Foot foul

4.5 Accidental Release

4.6 Pitching the Next Frame

4.7 Pitching Out of Turn

4.8 Touching the bags before the frame is complete

4.9 Time Limits – Pitching and Scoring

CHAPTER 5 OTHER GENERAL RULES 5.1 Moving Cornhole Boards and Bags

5.2 Approaching the opposite boards

5.3 Timeouts

5.4 Raking Cornhole Bags

5.5 Sweeping Cornhole Bags

CHAPTER 6 PLAYER CONDUCT 6.1 Distracting Behavior

6.2 Procedure and Penalties for distracting behavior

6.3 Sportsmanship

6.4 Giving/Receiving Player Advice

CHAPTER 7 LIVESTREAM RULES 7.1 American Cornhole Organization Video Release

7.2 Bags

7.3 Dress

CHAPTER 8 SIMPLE BACKYARD RULES

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C H A P T E R 1

CORNHOLE PLAYING EQUIPMENT1.1 ACO APPROVED EQUIPMENTNot limited to ACO branded equipment

• ACOApprovedboardsmaybeusedforthecoordination of ACO Regional tournaments during ACO Season 16

• ACOApprovedbagsmaybeusedforbothACORegional and Major tournaments during ACO Season 16 and at the ACO World Championships of Cornhole 16

• TobeclassifiedasACOApproved,equipmentmust comply with the criteria below.

1.2 ACO APPROVED BOARDS• Hardwoodplywoodplayingsurfacemeasuring

47.5” to 48” x 23.5” to 24”.

• Theplayingsurfacehasaminimumthicknessof1/2”withcross-sectionbacking, or3/4”withorwithout cross-section backing.

• Eachholeis6”diameter,centered9”fromthetopoftheboardandcentered fromeachsideedge.

• Thefrontoftheboardis3”to4”fromthegroundtothetopoftheplaying surface.

• Thebackoftheboardis12”fromthegroundtothe top of the playing surface.

• Theplayingsurfaceshouldbefinished–sandedtoasmoothtexture.There shouldbelittletonoblemishes in the wood surface that may disrupt or distort play.

• Theplayingsurfacecanbepaintedwithahighglosslatexpaintorvarnish.The surfaceshouldallow bags to slide when thrown, but not be soslipperythatthe bagsslidebackdowntheplatform.

1.3 ACO APPROVED BAGS• BagsthathavebeenapprovedbytheACO

for use at ACO Tour Events (ACO Regionals, Majors, Conference Championships, State Championships)

• PlayersmaybringtheirownACOApprovedBagsto ACO Tour Events

• AcompletelistofACOPre-ApprovedBagscanbefound on americancornhole.com/bring-your-own-weapon.

• ApprovedbagsarenotrequiredtobelistedonAmericanCornhole.com and may be approved by theCertifiedOfficialonthedayoftheeventiftheymeet approval specs

1.4 ACO APPROVED BAG SPECS• Eachbagisfilledwithplasticresin/beadswhich

will not breakdown

• Eachbagweighsbetween15.75ounces(447g)and 16.25 ounces (461g)

• Whenflat,eachbagnottoexceedathicknessof1.5 inches (3.8cm)

• Whenflat,eachbagtohaveaminimumthicknessof 1.125 inch (3.18cm)

• Whenflat,eachbagtobeaminimumof5.75inches (14.60cm) across at its narrowest point (side to side)

• Whenflat,eachbagnottoexceed8.25inches(21cm) across at its widest point (corner to corner)

• Eachbagmusthaveclearlyprintedmanufacturerlogo/name and series name

• Bagsmustbeoneprimarycolor

• Bagsmayhaveroundedcornersbutcannotberounded more than 0.5” from the corner on a 6” x “6 bag

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C H A P T E R 1

CORNHOLE PLAYING EQUIPMENT1.5 PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR BAGS• BagsmustmaintainallACOApprovedspecs

above regardless of wear and tear

• Bagsmusthaveclearlyprintedmanufacturerlogoand series name

• Bagsmustnotbealteredfromtheiroriginalstate-altered/newseams,refilled/alteredfilling,restamped logos, etc

• Bagsmustnothaveanyforeignsubstanceapplied- sprays, talc powder, etc.

• Bagsmustnotleaveanyresidueontheplayingsurface

• Bagsmustappearcleanandfreeofexcessivewear

• Bagsmustbeoneprimarycolor

1.6 ADDITIONAL PLAYER GUIDELINES FOR BAGS:• BagsmaybesubjecttoinspectionatanytimebyanACOOfficial

• Playersmayinspectandtosstheiropponent’sbags down-and-back once prior to the start of a game

• PlayersmayrequestanACOOfficialtoinspecttheiropponent’sbagspriortothestartofagame

• Onceagamebegins,bagsaredeemedlegal,andthe results of the game will stand

• Whenchoosingbagcolorspriortothestartof

a game, the higher seeded or coin toss winner choosestheircolorfirst,thentheopponentmustchoose another, distinguishable color

• Duringagame,eachplayermustuseallfour(4)ofthe same series bag from the same manufacturer

• Playersfoundtobeinviolationofanybagpolicies due to bag inspection may be subject to disciplinary actions:

• 1stviolationatanACOTourEvent–Forfeitureof the offending bags for the remainder of tournament. Player must choose another set of their bags or choose ACO provided house bags for the remainder of the tournament

• 2ndviolationatanACOTourEvent–Forfeitureofgame. Player must use ACO provided house bags for the remainder of the tournament

• 3rdviolationatanACOTourEvent–Disqualificationfromtournament.PossiblefurtherMembership suspension based on review

• Violationsat2separateanACOTourEventsduringtheseason-Disqualificationfromtournament. Possible further Membership suspension based on review

• ThecoordinatingACOOfficialhasfinalsayonalldisputes.Atanytime,anACOOfficialmayrequireone or both players/teams to use ACO house bags

• Forgamestobefilmedforbroadcast,livestreaming,etc.,ifaplayer/team’sbagsaredeemed too old, dirty, or worn to pass visual inspection, players may be required to use ACO house bags

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2.1 CORNHOLE COURT LAYOUT

CORNHOLE COURT:

A regulation size cornhole court is 8 feet wide and 40 feet long with a recommended vertical clearance of twelve (12) feet. If a tournament court has a clearance of less than 12 feet, it must be noted in the tournament details prior to the event.

THIS COURT CONSISTS OF TWO (2) PLAYER’S LANES:

Lane 1:Containsthetwodesignatedpitcher’sboxeson the left side of the board.

Lane 2: Containsthetwodesignatedpitcher’sboxeson the right side of the board.

Cornhole Boards: Boardsarepositioned27’fromthefrontedgetofrontedgeof theboard.

Cornhole Pitchers Boxes: Adesignatedpitcher’sboxisa4’x3’areaateachend ofthecourtandonbothsides of each board; four (4) boxes in all.

Cornhole Foul Lines: The front edge of the cornhole board is the foul line.

Score Tower: Each court will contain a score tower used to help keep track of the score.

2.2 CORNHOLE COURT PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCEEvery effort shall be made to keep the cornhole playing surface in perfect playing condition. Players are responsible for making sure the court is in good playing condition prior to starting the match.

•Noforeignsubstance(suchasPledge®,talcpowder, baby powder, silicone sprays) may be applied to the playing surface or bags by an individual player before or during cornhole play.

•Adrycleanclothmaybeusedtowipedowntheboards prior to the start of the game.

CORNHOLE COURT LAYOUTC H A P T E R 2

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3.1 LENGTH OF GAMESTRADITIONAL 21 The game shall be played to the pre-determinednumberoftwenty-one (21)points.Thefirstplayer/team to reach, or exceed, that amount at the conclusionof aframeisthewinner.

3.2 BAG TERMINOLOGY

WOODY Refers to any cornhole bag that has been pitched and remains on the cornhole board playing surface at the conclusion of the frame.

CORNHOLE Refers to any cornhole bag that has been pitched and passes through the cornhole board hole at any time within the frame.

3.3 FOUL BAGSRefers to any cornhole bag that are not considered a woody or a cornhole. A foul bag is any bag that meets any of the following criteria:

•Anybagpitchedwithoutatleastonefootcompletelyinsidethepitcher’s boxatthetimeofrelease

» Must be witnessed and enforced by a Certified Official » Penalty: Dead bag and CO Strike

•Anybagthatwasthrownwhentheplayerfootfouls » Must be witnessed and enforced by a Certified Official » Penalty: Dead bag and CO Strike

•Anybagnotpitchedwithinthe15secondtimelimit » Must be witnessed and enforced by a Certified Official » Penalty: Dead bag and CO Strike

•Abagpitchedfromadifferentpitcher’sboxthantheirdesignated pitcher’sbox

» May be enforced by self, or opponent, or Certified Official » Penalty: Dead bag

•Anybagthatcontactedthecourtorthegroundbeforecomingtoreston theplayingsurface

» May be enforced by self, or opponent, or Certified Official » Penalty: Dead bag

•Anybagthatcomestoresttouchingthegroundandthe board.

» May be enforced by self, or opponent, or Certified Official Penalty: Dead bag

•Anybagwhichstruckapreviouslydefinedobjectsuchasatreelimb, wire,indoorcourtceiling,etc.

» May be enforced by self, or opponent, or Certified Official » Penalty: Dead bag

3.4 METHODS OF SCORING

CANCELLATION SCORING The approved method ofscoringforthesportofcornholeis cancellationscoring. In cancellation scoring, the points of one playercanceloutthe pointsoftheiropponent.Usingthis method, only one player/team can score in each frame.

WOODY Each woody is worth one (1) point

CORNHOLE Each cornhole is worth three (3) points

Example:

Red achieves one (1) woody and two (2) cornholes during the frame (7 total pts)

Blue achieves two (2) woodies and zero (0) cornholes during the frame (2 total pts)

7 points – 2 points = Red scores 5 points for the frame

3.5 RECORDING THE SCORE•Nocornholebagsshallbemovedbeforethescoringisdetermined.Ifthisdecisionisin doubt,aCertifiedOfficialwillbecalledtodeterminethescoringfortheframein question.

•Playersarealwaysencouragedtopaycloseattentionto the score. Players are required to update their score onthescoretowerattheconclusion ofeachframe.PlayersmaycallupontheCertifiedOfficialbetweenframes if there is any discrepancy about the correct score.

•Whenathirdpartyisbeingusedtomanagethescoretower,itisthe responsibilityoftheplayer/teamwhoscoresineachframetocalloutthescoretothe scorekeeper. It is the responsibility of the players/teams toensurethescoreis representedcorrectlyonthescore tower at the conclusion of each frame before moving tothenextframe.

CORNHOLE SCORINGC H A P T E R 3

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4.1 OVERVIEW OF SINGLES AND DOUBLES PLAY

SINGLES PLAY

•PlayerAcompetesagainstPlayerB.

•Bothplayersstayintheirdesignatedlaneforthewhole game.

•Playersstartthegameattheheadboardandwillalternate pitching bags until each player has pitched all (4) of his/her bags.

•Playersthenwalktotheendoftheirlanetotheothercourt, take score, and resume pitching back to the other cornhole board.

DOUBLES PLAY

•TeamAcompetesagainstTeamB–eachteamiscomprised of two (2) people.

•Eachteamwillstayintheirdesignatedlaneforthewhole game.

•Playersatoneboardwillalternatepitchingbagsuntileachplayerhas pitchedall(4)oftheirbags.

•Playersattheotherboardwilltakescoreandresumepitchingbacktotheother cornholeboard.

4.2 PITCHING ROTATION, LANE ASSIGNMENTS, AND BAG COLORTheplayerwiththefirstpitch,playerlanechoice,andbag color will normally be decided by the format of the tournament.

SEEDED TOURNAMENTS

•Theplayer/teamwiththehigherseedhastheirchoiceof bag color.

•Theplayer/teamwiththehigherseedpitchesfirst.

•Insinglesplay,theplayerwiththehigherseedchooses lane assignments.

In doubles play, the higher seeded team chooses one of the following options:

1. Choose lane assignments

2. Choose their opponent to pitch against (head-to-head)

•Ifoption#1isselected,thehigherseedchoosestheirlaneandtakestheirpositionsinthepitcher’sboxes, then the lower seeded team chooses their own pitcher’sboxestodeterminehead-to-headmatch-ups.

•Ifoption#2isselected,thelowerseedchoosestheirlaneandtakestheirpositionsinthepitcher’sboxes,then the higher seeded team will choose their own pitcher’sboxestodeterminehead-to-headmatch-ups.

NOTE: If playing best 2 out of 3 matches, the first pitch and lane assignment options go to the higher seed in first game and to the lower seed in second game. If a third game is needed, first pitch and lane assignment options return to the higher seed.

RANDOMLY SEEDED TOURNAMENTS

•Theplayer/teamwinningthecoin-tosschoosestheirbag color.

•Theplayer/teamwinningthecoin-tosspitchesfirst.

In singles play, the player winning the coin toss chooses their lane assignment.

In doubles play, a coin-toss is used to determine which player/team selects one of the following options:

1. Choose the lane assignments

2. Choose their opponent to pitch against (head-to-head)

•Ifoption#1isselected,thecointosswinnerchoosestheirlaneandtakestheirpositionsinthePitcher’sboxes, then the opposing team chooses their own Pitcher’sboxestodeterminehead-to-headmatch-ups.

•Ifoption#2isselected,thecointossloserchoosestheirlaneandtakestheirpositionsinthePitcher’sboxes, then the coin toss winner will choose their own

PLAY OF THE CORNHOLE GAMEC H A P T E R 4

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Pitcher’sboxestodeterminehead-to-headmatch-ups.

•Ifplayingbest2outof3matches,thefirstpitchandlane assignment options go to the coin toss winner inthefirstgameandtothecointossloserinthesecond game. If a third game is necessary, another cointosswilldecidewhogetsthefirstpitchandlaneassignment options

4.3 PITCHING CORNHOLE BAGS

PITCHING

•Playersalternatepitchingbags(oneplayeratatime)untileachplayerhas pitchedall(4)oftheirbags.

•Aplayermustpitchall(4)cornholebagsfromtheirdesignatedpitcher’s box.

•Playersmustpitchthebagwithanunderhandedrelease.

•Onefootmustbecompletelywithinthepitcher’sboxat the time of releasing the bag.

•Aplayermaynottouchthegroundonorbeyondthefoul line before their bag has contacted the board at the opposite end of the cornhole court. If a player crosses the foul line prematurely, it will be considered a foot foul.

4.4 FOOT FOULAfootfouliscalledwhenaplayer’sfoottouchestheground on or beyond the foul line before their bag has contacted the board at the opposite end of the cornhole court.

Procedure and Penalties for foot fouls:

•Ifafootfouliswitnessedbytheopponent,theymustcallatime-outandnotifyaCertifiedOfficial.Theplayer will not be charged for the time-out.

•ACertifiedOfficialwillreporttothecourttoobservethe game.

•TheCertifiedOfficialwillalertbothplayersaswhythey have been called to the court, as a “warning.”

•IftheCertifiedOfficialwitnessesadditionaloffences,penalties will be as follows:

•1stStrike:Theplayerwillreceivea“1stStrike”andtheir bag will be declared a dead bag and removed from the playing surface. The non-offending player may choose to replace any affected bags as close to their original position as possible or leave them as they are.

•2ndStrike:Theplayerwillreceivea“2ndStrike”andtheir bag will be declared a dead bag and removed from the playing surface. The non-offending player may choose to replace any affected bags as close to their original position as possible or leave them as they are.

•3rdStrike:Theplayerforfeitstheircurrentmatchonthe third offense.

NOTE: A Certified Official may also voluntarily officiate the game without a request from players

4.5 ACCIDENTAL RELEASE•Anycornholebagthatleavesaplayer’shandoncethefinalstep(iftaken)and finalforwardswingofthe delivery process has started, shall count as a pitched bag.

•Acornholebagthatisaccidentallydroppedbyaplayerbeforethefinalstep(if taken)andfinalforwardswing has started, shall not be considered a foul bag andmaybepickedupandpitched.

4.6 PITCHING THE NEXT FRAME•Theplayer/teamwhoscoredintheprecedingframewillpitchfirstinthenext frame.

•Ifneitherplayer/teamscores,theplayer/teamwhopitchedfirstinthe precedingframewillretainfirstpitch in the next frame.

4.7 PITCHING OUT OF TURN•Theplayer/teamwhoscoredintheprecedingframewillpitchfirstinthenext frame.

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•Ifneitherplayer/teamscores,theplayer/teamwhopitchedfirstinthe precedingframewillretainfirstpitch in the next frame.

4.8 TOUCHING BAGS BEFORE FRAME IS COMPLETEIf any bags in scoring positions (woodies or cornholes) are touched by a player, whether intentionally or unintentionally, before all bags during the frame are pitched, the frame is over.

The offending team (team who touches the bags) forfeits all remaining bags and tallies the score for the bags they have already pitched during the frame.

The non-offending team tallies 12 points as if they had thrown 4 cornholes during the frame.

IMPORTANT NOTE: 12 pts are NOT automatically added the overall score (scoreboard). The 12 pts are only used within this specific frame before cancellation.

EXAMPLE:•Redhasthrown3bagsequaling5points

to this point in the frame •Bluehasthrown3bagsequaling7points

to this point in the frame •Blueaccidentallyreachesdownandgrabsthebags•Theframeisover•Blue’sremainingbagisdeclareddead

and their previous points are tallied•Redtallies12pointsfortheframe,

as if they had thrown cornholes•12Redpoints-7Bluepoints

•Redscores5pointsforthatframe

4.9 TIME LIMITS – PITCHING AND SCORING

PITCHING A player must pitch each cornhole bag withinfifteen(15)secondsof theiropponent’sbagcoming to rest.

Procedure and Penalties for time violations:•Ifatimepenaltyiswitnessedbytheopponent,theymustcallatime-outandnotifyaCertifiedOfficial.Theplayer will not be charged for the time-out.•ACertifiedOfficialwillreporttothecourttoobserve

the game.•TheCertifiedOfficialwillalertbothplayersaswhy

they have been called to the court, as a “warning.”•IftheCertifiedOfficialwitnessesadditionaloffences,

penalties will be as follows:•1stStrike:Theplayerwillreceivea“1stStrike.”•2ndStrike:Theplayerwillreceivea“2ndStrike”•3rdStrike:Theplayerforfeitstheircurrentmatchon

the third offense.

NOTE: A Certified Official may also voluntarily officiate the game without a request from players

Insinglesplay,oncethefinalbagcomestoarest,eachplayer has 30 seconds to walk to the other end, pick up their bags, and ready themselves to pitch.

* Exceptions may be made by the Certified Official considering any physical disabilities or difficulties

SCORING The frame will be scored 5 seconds after the last bag is pitched and contacts the opposite board.

•Ifeitherplayerbelievesthatbagsmaystillbemoving,they are to immediately alert their partner or opponent not to touch the bags, and to begin counting aloud, using the 1-second cadence “One ACO, Two ACO, Three ACO, Four ACO, Five ACO.”

•Anybagthat movesinpositionafter5secondswillbescored based on its previous position.

•Iftimingcannotbeagreedon,theCertifiedOfficialwillscoreornegatethe frame.

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OTHER GENERAL RULES5.1 MOVING CORNHOLE BOARDS AND BAGS A player can only straighten cornhole boards in between frames and with the approval of their opponent.ACertifiedOfficialmaybecalledtodetermine re-placement if a discrepancy is in question.

A player may only cross the foul line and approach the opposite board during a frame under three (3) circumstances:

1. A timeout has been called

2. To Rake bags piled inside the cornhole board hole

3. To Sweep bags (that are considered foul bags) from the playing surface

5.2 APPROACHING THE OPPOSITE BOARDSA player may only approach the opposite board during a frame under three (3) circumstances:

1. A timeout has been called.

2. To rake bags piled inside the cornhole board hole.

3. To sweep bags that are considered foul bags from the playing surface.

5.3 TIMEOUTS•Eachplayerorteamisallowedtwo1minutetime

outs per game.

•Timeoutscanbeuptooneminutelong.

•Aplayermayonlycallatimeoutwhenitistheirturn.

•Bothplayersmaywalktotheotherboardstoexaminebagpositionduringthe timeout.

•Playersmaynottouchthecornholebagsorboardsduring a timeout.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Official time outs may be granted in the case of a busted cornhole bag, equipment malfunctions, or other circumstances at the discretion of the Certified Official. A player will not be charged for time out.

5.4 RAKING CORNHOLE BAGSIfbagsbecomepiledinsidetheholeandmay interfereor obstruct with the next pitch or if there is question astowhetheracornholebag wouldhavenaturallyfallen through the hole, a player may request to rake the cornholebagsthathavefalleninsidethehole.Torequest a rake, the player must audibly ask.

•Oneorbothplayersmaywalktotheotherboardandrakethebagsfromunder theboard.Oneplayerrakesand the other player watches.

•Aspectatormaybecalledtorakethebagsifbothplayers agree.

•Acertifiedofficialmaybecalledtorakethebagsifthere is a discrepancy.

•Anytime4cornholebagshaveenteredthehole,orapileofbagsisvisibleinthe hole,aplayermayrequesta rake and will not be charged a timeout.

IMPORTANT NOTE: During raking, all efforts should be made to leave bags on the playing surface undisrupted, in their natural state, and to leave bags that may hang on the rim of the hole from falling inside the hole unnaturally. If a bag is resting on a piled bag, and unavoidably falls into the hole because of raking, then it shall be counted as a cornhole.

5.5 SWEEPING CORNHOLE BAGSIf a foul bag lands on the playing surface or comes torest touchingthegroundandtheboard,itmustberemoved immediately.

If a player pitches a foul bag which affects any bags inplay,theiropponenthas theoptionofreturningall cornhole bags to their original position on the playing surfaceorleavingallbagsastheyare.

C H A P T E R 5

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PLAYER CONDUCT6.1 DISTRACTING BEHAVIORWhile in competition, cornhole players should not make disturbing noises or movements that would distract their opponent or other nearby players. Players who feel that there is an issue with player conduct shouldalertaCertifiedOfficialimmediately.

Examples of inappropriate behavior includes:

•Useofprofanity

•Useofabusivelanguage

•Useofobscenegestures

•Flippingorjugglingbags

•Reachingdowntopickupbagsfromtheboard

•Makingnoiseduringanopponent’sthrow

•Orothertypesofdisturbingnoiseormovements

6.2 PROCEDURE AND PENALTIES FOR DISTRACTING BEHAVIOR•Ifdistractingplayerconductiswitnessedbythe

opponent, they must call a time-out and notify a CertifiedOfficial.Theplayerwillnotbechargedforthetime-out.

•ACertifiedOfficialwillreporttothecourttoobservethe game.

•TheCertifiedOfficialwillalertbothplayersaswhythey have been called to the court, as a “warning.”

If the Certified Official witnesses additional offences, penalties will be as follows:

•1stStrike:Theplayerwillreceivea“1stStrike”

•2ndStrike:Theplayerwillreceivea“2ndStrike”

•3rdStrike:Theplayerforfeitstheircurrentmatchonthe third offense

•Anyfurtheroffensemaycallfordisqualificationfrom the Tournament/Events and Memberships suspension.

NOTE: A Certified Official may also voluntarily officiate the game without a request from players

6.3 SPORTSMANSHIPCornhole players (and spectators) may not indulge in any of the following actions:

•Heckling

•Usingprofanityorabusivelanguage

•Makingobscenegestures

•Makingunwarrantedphysicalcontactwithotherplayers

•Oranyothertypeofunsportsmanlikeconduct

Players that exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct toward otherplayers,spectators,orofficialswillbesubjecttoexpulsion from the tournament and from the event site.

6.4 GIVING/RECEIVING PLAYER ADVICEItislegalforateammateorspectatortoprovide adviceon bag position and/or next pitch recommendation.

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LIVESTREAM RULES7.1 AMERICAN CORNHOLE ORGANIZATION VIDEO RELEASEBy becoming an American Cornhole Organization member or purchasing a ticket or entry to any American Cornhole Organization event; You are giving physical permission to the American Cornhole Organizationanditsaffiliatestherightsofyourimage,and video or still, and of the likeness in sound of your voice as recorded on audio or video tape. Your image may be edited, copied, exhibited, published, or distributedforANYUSEandYouwaivetherighttoinspectorapprovethefinishedproduct.Youalsowaiveany right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of your image or recording.

7.2 BAGS•Playersonlivestreammaynotusebagsofthesame,

or similar, color to the bags of their opponent.

•Inaseededtournament,theplayerorteamwiththelower seed will have to switch bags if they are too similar in color to the bags of their opponent(s).

•Inanunseededtournament,theplayerorteamthatlost the coin toss will have to switch bags if they are too similar in color to the bags of their opponent(s).

•Bagswithothernationalorganizationlogosormarkings will not be permitted on Livestream videos orinthefinalsofACOMajors

7.3 DRESSPlayers appearing on the livestream in the Finals of an ACO event must wear ACO branded clothing, or apparel approved by the ACO. Failure to comply with this rule could result in forfeiture of the match.

Players may not wear any of the following on livestream:

•Cut-offsleeves

•Logosordesignsrepresentativeofothernationalcornhole organizations

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© 2020-2021 American Cornhole, LLC

ACO OFFICIAL RULES FOR THE SPORT OF CORNHOLE

SIMPLE BACKYARD RULESBoards are placed 27 feet from front edge to front edge.

Games are played to 21 or more points. (no bust)

Woody: Refers to any cornhole bag that has been pitched and remains on the cornhole board playing surface at the conclusion of the frame. Each woody is 1pt.

Cornhole: Refers to any cornhole bag that has been pitched and passes through the cornhole board hole at anytime within the frame. Each cornhole is 3pts.

A bag that comes to rest touching the ground AND the board does not count as a point.

Cancellation Scoring: The approved method of scoring for the sport of cornhole is “cancellation”scoring.  Incancellationscoring,thepointsofoneplayercanceloutthepointsoftheiropponent.  Usingthismethod,onlyoneplayer/teamcanscoreineachframe.

Both players play one board at a time and stay in their designated lane for the whole game (right or left).

Players start the game at one board and alternate pitching bags until each player has pitched all (4) of their bags.

Players then walk to the end of their lane to the other board, take score, and resume pitching back to the other cornhole board.

Players must deliver the bag with an underhanded release.

Feet must stay behind the line of the front of the board at the time of releasing the bag.

The player/team who scored in the preceding frame pitches firstinthenextframe.  Ifneitherplayer/teamscores,theplayer/teamwhopitchedfirstintheprecedingframeshallretainfirstpitchinthenextframe.

If bags become piled inside the hole and may interfere or obstruct with the next pitch or if there is question whether a cornhole bag would have naturally fallen through the hole, a player may request to rake the cornhole bags that have fallen inside the hole.

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ACO OFFICIAL RULES FOR THE SPORT OF CORNHOLE

GAMEON!