May. 13, 2024
Curling Game Basics:
Check now What is this game of rocks and brooms all about? Curling is a sport in which two teams of four players each slide 44-pound (22-kilogram) granite rocks (also called stones) down a sheet of ice toward a target, or house, at the other end. Each team tries to get more of its stones closer to the center of the house than the other team. Read on for a complete breakdown of curling’s basic elements. Throwing rocks (Delivery): When delivering a stone, the player should slide toward the skip’s broom. A stone that has not been released from the player’s hand may be returned to the hack and re-delivered as long as has not reached the tee-line, the line across the middle of the house. A stone must be released before it reaches the hog line. Right-handed players deliver from a “starting block” called the hack to the left of the center line. Vice versa for left-handed players. A stone that completely crosses the back line or touches the side line is removed from play. Each stone must cross the far hog line, the thick line across the sheet in front of each house, except when it has hit another stone in play. The players throws two stones per end, alternating with the player on the other team who plays the same position. Each player on the team throws two stones in each end. Each team throws 8 stones in an end. Curling rocks: The terms “no handle” or “lost handle” refers to a stone sliding without rotation. A counter-clockwise rotation (known as an Out-turn to a right-handed player) will cause the stone to curl right to left as it travels down the sheet. A clockwise rotation (known as an In-turn to a right-handed player) will cause the stone to curl left to right as it travels down the sheet. How much (or little) a rock curls or bends, depends largely on the conditions of the playing surface. When a rock travels down the ice, depending on its rotation -- which is applied intentionally -- it will curl, or bend, one way or another. Sweeping: For further information, see Sweeping Rules. Sweeping will not make a stone travel faster, but can help it slide an additional 15 feet. The skip, who is like the team’s quarterback, is the only one who doesn’t regularly sweep stones. The lead, second, and third all take turns sweeping the rocks. Sweeping affects how much a rock curls and causes it to travel farther. Keeping score: The team that scores will go first in the next end. The 3rd or vice-skip is responsible for posting the score. Any measurements required should be conducted by the vice-skips. The thirds or vice-skips should agree on the score before removing stones. All other team members should wait outside the house, on the far side of the hog line. Only one team can score in an end. A team scores one point for every consecutive rock that it has closer to the center of the house than their opponent. Once all 16 rocks have been thrown down the sheet of ice, the score for that end is counted based on the final positions of the stones in the house. Strategy: Generally, the skip determines a rink’s strategy. During the game, the skip stands at one end of the sheet and tells his or her other three players where they should place their shots. A team’s strategy doesn’t always go according to plan! And that’s part of what makes curling so much fun. No two games are alike; the unpredictability is always appealing. Curling is often called “chess on ice.” Members of a Curling Team The team you play on is called a rink. The rink is made up of four players listed below: Lead: New curlers typically start out playing lead as they build their skills and knowledge of the game. The lead must be very good at throwing guards (stones that stop in front of the house) and be a strong sweeper. The lead throws the first two rocks of the end and then sweeps the next six. Second: The second and the lead need to be in sync when sweeping together. With experience, sweepers can judge the weight of the stone (how hard it is thrown) and can begin sweeping a light stone (softly thrown) before a skip’s direction. The second sweeps the first two stones and then the final four of the end. The second throws the third and fourth stones of the end and should be strong at making take-outs (hitting an opponent’s stone off the sheet). Third: The third also posts the score at the conclusion of each end. It is the third’s job to set up the shots that will be thrown by the skip, and to help the skip discuss the strategy of the final two stones of the end. The third (or vice skip), who throws the fifth and sixth rocks of the end, must be good at all shots, but especially draws (stones that stop in the house). Skip: The skip must be good at all types of shots. It’s the skip’s job to tell the other players where to throw their shots and when to sweep. The skip also delivers the last two shots of the end. The skip is the captain of the team and decides the strategy. Curling Terminology Curling, probably more than any other sport, has its own unique terminology (like hurry hard and burning a rock, among others). Here are the key curling words and phrases you need to know to blend in at your next bonspiel: Back end: Refers to the last two players on a rink – the third and skip. Back line: The line across the ice at the back of the house. Stone which are completely over this line are removed from play. Back of the House: Portion of the house between the tee line and backline. Biter: A stone that just touches the outer edge of the house. Biter Bar: A measuring device used to determine if a stone is in the house. Blank end: An end where no points are scored. Board Weight: A shot thrown with just enough weight to come to rest just beyond the back board (end of the sheet). Also called bumper weight. Bonspiel: A weekend-long tournament in which curlers compete. Brush / Broom: A device used to sweep the ice in the path of a moving stone. Burning a rock: A rules infraction that happens when a player touches a stone with their broom as it travels down the sheet. Button: The very center of the target rings or house. Counter: Any stone in the rings or touching the rings which is a potential point. Curl: The amount the stone bends while traveling down the sheet. Draw: A stone that stops in the house. Also, the start time of a game – Draw time. Draw Weight: The momentum required for the stone to reach the house at the far end. Delivery: The action of throwing a stone to the other end of the playing surface. Eight-ender: A perfect end where every one of the team’s stones scores a point. This is extremely rare, and picture-worth! End: The period of play in which both teams deliver all 8 of their stones. A curling game typically lasts either 6, 8 or 10 ends. Extra End: If a game is tied at the end of the regular number of ends, play continues until a team scores at least one point to win. Five & Under: Refers to an event in what participants must have 5 or fewer years of curling experience. Flash: To completely miss a shot, typically a take-out, and pass through the house without touching other stones. For more information, please visit kenuo. Front end: Refers to the first two players on a rink – lead and second. Front of the House: The portion of the house in front of the tee line. Gripper: The rubber sole of one of your curling shoes. It helps you keep your footing on the ice. Guard: A stone placed in a positon to protect another stone. Hack: The foothold in the ice you use to push off from when you deliver the stone. Hack Weight: A shot thrown with just enough weight to come to rest near the hack. Hammer: The last rock of the end, a strategic advantage. Handle: Rotation placed on the stone at time of delivery. Heavy: A stone delivered with greater force than necessary. Hog Line: A thick line 10 meters from the hack. Hogged Stone: A stone that does not reach the far hog line. It must be removed from play. House: Also known as the rings. The “bull’s eye” at each end of the sheet of ice. It consists of circles, called the 12-foot, 8-foot, 4-foot, and the Button. In-Turn: The rotation applied to a stone that causes it to rotate clockwise for a right-hander. Light: A stone thrown with less weight than was required. Line: The path traveled by the stone. Out-Turn: The rotation applied to the stone that causes it to rotate counter-clockwise for a right-hander. Mixed: A team consisting of 2 men and 2 women in which positions must alternate gender. Narrow: To throw a stone off the target in the same direction as the intended path of curl. Pebble: A fine spray of hot water applied to the ice before play. Pick: When a stone hits or picks up a small piece of debris causing it to change direction. Pin: The center of the button. Port: An opening between two stones wide enough for a stone to pass through. Rink: A curling team; also the name of a curling facility Rock: Also known as a stone, the granite playing piece that a curler delivers. Regular-sized rocks weigh approximately 42 pounds. Sheet: The frozen playing surface on which the game is played. Like a bowling lane. Shot Rock: At any time during the end, the stone closest to the button. Slider: The slippery (usually Teflon) sole of one of your curling shoes. It helps you move or slide along the ice. Stabilizer: A delivery device used instead of a broom. Steal: To score when you do not have the hammer. Sweep: Direction given by the skip or third to begin sweeping the stone. Tee line: The line on the playing surface that runs through the middle of the house. Turn: The rotation placed on the stone. Weight: The amount of force used to deliver a stone. Wick: When a stone touches a stationary stone just enough so that it changes direction. Wide: To throw a stone off the target in the opposite direction of the path of curl.
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The following terms and definitions are used throughout the curling world. Click here to see the Rules of Curling for General Play 2018-2022
BACKLINE
The line across the ice at the back of the house. Stones which are over this line are removed from play.
BITER
A stone that just touches the outer edge of the circles.
BLANK END
An end in which no points have been scored.
BONSPIEL
A curling competition or tournament.
BRUSH
A device used to sweep the ice in the path of a moving stone.
BURNED STONE
A stone in motion touched by a member of either team, or any part of their equipment. Burned stones are removed from play.
BUTTON
The circle at the centre of the house.
COUNTER
Any stone in the rings or touching the rings which is a potential point.
CURL
The amount a rock bends while travelling down the sheet of ice.
DRAW WEIGHT
The momentum required for a stone to reach the house or cirlces at the distant end.
END
A portion of a curling game that is completed when each team has thrown eight stones and the score has been decided.
GUARD
A stone that is placed in a position so that it may protect another stone.
HACKS
The foot-holds at each end of the ice from which the stone is delivered.
HAMMER
The team with the last stone in any given end of play. The 16th delivered stone in any end is called the “Hammer”
HEAVY
A rock delivered with a greater force than necessary.
HIT
A take-out. Removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with another stone.
HOG LINE
A line 10 meters from the hack at each end of the ice.
HOGGED STONE
A stone that does not reach the far hog line. It must be removed from play.
HOUSE
The rings or circles toward which play is directed consisting of a 12-foot ring, 8-foot ring, 4-foot ring and a button.
IN-TURN
The rotation applied to the handle of a stone that causes it to rotate in a clockwise direction and curl for a right-handed curler.
LEAD
The first player on a team to deliver a pair of stones for his/her team in each end.
OUT-TURN
The rotation applied to the handle of a stone that causes it to turn and curl in a counter-clockwise direction for a right-handed curler.
PEBBLE
A fine spray of water applied to a sheet of curling ice before commencing play.
RAISE
When one stone is bumped ahead by another.
ROLL
The movement of a curling stone after it has struck a stationary stone in play.
SECOND
The curler who delivers the second pair of stones for hi/her team in each end.
SHEET (or Ice)
The specific playing surface upon which a curling game is played. Size is minimum 14’2″ wide and 146′ long. See graphic
SHOT ROCK
At any time during an end, the stone closest to the button.
SKIP
The player who determines the strategy, and directs play for the team. The skip delivers the last pair of stones for his/her team in each end.
SPARE
An alternate player or substitute.
SLIDER
Slippery material placed on the sole of the shoe, to make it easier to slide on the ice.
SWEEPING
The action of moving a broom or brush back and forth in the path of a moving stone.
TAKE OUT
Removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with another stone.
TEE LINE
The line that passes through the centre of the house parallel to the hog line and backline.
THIRD, VICE-SKIP OR MATE
The third player on a team to throw two stones in each end. Generally this player acts as the skip when the skip is delivering his/her stones and assists with shot selection decisions.
WEIGHT
The amount of force given to the stone during the delivery.
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