ACL CORNHOLE DIVISIONS: A GUIDE TO SKILL LEVELS

The American Cornhole League (ACL) has taken cornhole from a casual backyard/tailgate game into an inclusive, competitive sport for players of all skill levels. Let's break down the ACL cornhole divisions and the skill levels they represent to see where your place is in the world of competitive cornhole lands.

PRO DIVISION: SKILL LEVEL

  • The Pro Division is the highest level of cornhole skill. Pro players are the elite, showcasing exceptional precision and consistency maintaining a PPR range above a 9.
  • When competing, they must play in the Open division at Open, Conference & Regional events.  
  • The competition in the Pro Division continues to get more competitive with new talent coming in each year.

OPEN DIVISION: NOT A SKILL LEVEL

  • Open division is open to anyone from novice players to pro level players.
  • This is not used for skill level classification but does allow directors to combine Pro & Advanced players to offer maximum points toward season rankings.

ADVANCED DIVISION: SKILL LEVEL

  • The Advanced Division includes highly skilled players who consistently maintain a PPR above 8.3.  
  • Advanced division does not allow Pro’s to play in the division at ACL Opens, Conferences, and Regional events. If an area does not offer both Pro and Advanced division, then there will be only the Open division to compete in.
  • Many Advanced players aspire to reach the Pro Division, and they often compete in the hope of earning the points necessary to move up.
  • Advanced Division players are able to execute sliding the bag, airmails, understands game strategy and practices regularly.  

COMPETITIVE DIVISION: SKILL LEVEL

  • The Competitive Division welcomes players with intermediate skills, not quite ready for Advanced. They maintain a PPR range of 7.3 - 8.3.
  • Competitive players have a solid understanding of the game but may struggle with consistency many times looking unstoppable but then in a subsequent game struggle.

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION: SKILL LEVEL

  • This is for players who enjoy casual competitive play but are not at the new or “novice” level maintaining a PPR of 6.4-7.3.
  • Players can play without having to play against Pro or top-level players.
  • These players are working on developing their skills, consistency, and strategy.

NOVICE DIVISION: SKILL LEVEL

  • This is for new or beginners with PPR under 6.4.
  • The novice player has limited skill and experience with the game.

The ACL's division classifications accommodate players of all skill levels, fostering an environment where everyone can play, and anyone can win... Whether you're an aspiring pro or simply enjoy a friendly game with friends, the ACL has a place for you. So, grab your cornhole backpack and pro cornhole bags, choose your division, and have fun with other cornhole-loving players!   Come back next week when we dig into the different types of ACL Tournaments and points.

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