About Curling

Curling is a seemingly simple sport: two teams, each with four players, slide stones down a curling sheet to a target at the other end; sweepers help the rocks on their way; and the team with the most stones closer to the center of the target than the other team wins. It's a sport that emphasizes strategy, communication, and good sportsmanship. It's a game that people of all ages and physical abilities can play. It's a game that everyone in Central New York can play!

Team -- Equipment -- Play -- Scoring

A curling team consists of four players: lead, second, vice-skip (or third), and skip (team captain). Each member of the team delivers (throws) two rocks each, alternating delivery with players on the opposing team. As each person throws a rock, two other team members may sweep (brush) in front of the rock. Sweeping a rock will make it travel a farther distance and on a straighter line. The sweepers are in charge of determining if brushing is needed for weight (distance). The skip calls the shots, using a broom as a target for his/her teammates, and is in charge of calling sweeping for line (direction). When the skip throws, the vice holds the broom and is in charge of line calls. Communication between the sweepers and the person calling line is vital - how hard a rock is thrown (weight) affects how much the rock will curl (curve).

The Ice
A curling sheet of ice is approximately 150 feet long and 15 feet wide, the surface of which is kept near 23º F. The surface is prepared for each game by sprinkling water droplets onto the ice (known as pebbling).

At each end of the ice, is a target, called the house, made up of concentric circles, 12 feet, 8 feet, and 4 feet in diameter. The center of the house (typically 1 foot wide) is known as the button.

Running along the length of the sheet are the side lines (which mark the sheet boundaries), the center line, and in many clubs, two lines that are 2 feet to either side of the center lines - the 4-foot lines. Running across the sheet are the tee lines (through the center of the button), the back lines (6 feet behind the tee line, tangent to the back of the houses), the hog lines (21 feet in front of the tee line). When delivering a rock, a curler must let go of the stone before crossing the near hog line, and the rock must completely cross the far hog line before coming to a stop. Rocks that do not completely cross the far hog line, or that completely cross the far back line are removed from play.

Six feet behind the back line of each house are the hacks, a toehold which curlers use as a sprinters would use a starting block.

Ice varies from facility to facility, from sheet to sheet in the same facility, and on a sheet as a game progresses. On fast ice, a rock will travel farther with the same effort than it will on slow ice. Temperature and pebble affect not only the speed of the ice, but how much a rock will curl. During the game, areas of a sheet on which many rocks have traveled will be faster than areas that have not been played on. Reading the ice is the responsibility of all players. Knowing how hard to throw a rock or how much ice to give for a shot, depends upon the players noticing and remembering how the ice behaves.

Rocks
Curling rocks (or stones) are made of granite, mostly from Scotland or Wales, and weigh between 38 and 44 pounds. They are about 6 inches tall and 11 inches in diameter. Very little of the rock actually touches the ice. The bottom of a rock has a cavity about 6 inches wide. Rocks slide on the outside edge of that cavity, known as the running surface. Modern stones have plastic handles that are bolted to the rock. Special handles with built-in hog line sensors are used in high level competitions to determine if a curler has released the rock before the near hog line.

Rocks curl (curve) because of a combination of factors, and articles in scientific journals debate the physics of curling rocks. Whatever the ultimate reason(s), rocks do curl (travel across the sheet) as much as 4 feet from release to stop on well prepared ice. The direction of curl is always opposite the direction of the trailing edge of the rock: that is, a rock rotating clockwise will curl from left to right, and a rock rotating counterclockwise will curl from right to left. The skip will estimate the amount of curl expected for a particular shot and adjust his/her target placement accordingly. Anticipating this curl (reading the ice) is perhaps the most important part of the game, especially so at high levels of competition.

Broom (Brush)
Curling brooms are used for two purposes: for sweeping and as a stabilizing device when delivering the rock. Brooms used for sweeping are made of either hair or a synthetic pad. Occasionally you will still see curlers use corn brooms during delivery. Other stabilizing devices are becoming popular, especially for new curlers.

There is no good scientifically verifiable theory to explain the effects of sweeping in curling. However, it is apparent that sweeping transiently and slightly decreases the friction of the ice surface, allowing a moving rock to retain its speed longer and reducing the ability of the stone to dig in and curl. So sweeping makes the rock travel farther (not faster!) and "straighter" (it will continue more in the direction in which it is already traveling). If a rock has begun to curl sharply, sweeping will make it travel straighter and farther in the direction it is going when you begin to sweep: you cannot straighten in "back on course" by sweeping.

Shoes
Curlers wear specially designed shoes. The sole of one foot has a layer of Teflon (or metal or brick) which enables the curler to slide when delivering the stone. The sole of the foot placed in the hack is made of rubber which provides traction on the ice. When sweeping, many curlers place a gripper over their slide foot to provide additional traction. Right-handed curlers slide on their left foot; left-handed curlers on their right foot.

All curling games begin and end with hand-shakes among all the participates. A game is divided into ends, either 6 ends (social games), 8 ends (recreational leagues), or 10 ends (high level competition). An end consists of each member of both teams throwing two stones, alternating delivery between teams. After the first end, the team that throws the first rock is the team that scored in the previous end (the first end is determined by a coin toss or other method). Throwing the last rock in an end, also called having the hammer, is advantageous. After all 16 rocks have been delivered, the vice-skips agree on the score for the end (see below). At the end of a game, if the score is tied, extra end(s) are played to determine the winner. In some competitions, games are timed, much like chess matches. Timing varies with the competition; either the time taken to deliver each rock (including strategy discussions between throws), or the time taken between each shot for strategy discussions (in which case teams are allotted less time). In high level competitions, teams are allotted 2 time-outs, and a break is taken after the fifth end.

Curlers throw two basic types of shots: draws and hits. Hits move other rock(s), and draws do not. There are a variety of the two basic shots. Draws typically guard other rocks, hide behind other rocks, or freeze to other rocks. Hits may remove a rock from play (take-out), either going out of play itself (peel) or staying in play (hit and stick; hit and roll); or they may simply move a rock a few inches or few feet (tap).

Scoring
Only rocks in the house may score. A rock is in the house if any part of it, when viewed from directly above the rock, is touching the house. All rocks from one team closer to the button than any opponents rocks score 1 point each. It is possible to blank an end, i.e. neither team scores a point. Perhaps the most exciting (and rare) score in curling is an eight-ender, in which all eight of a team's rocks count.

Scores are hung on a scoreboard, of which there are two types. In curling clubs, the permanent numbers on the scoreboard indicate the cumulative score, and the vice hangs a number representing the end in which that cumulative score was achieved. In the example below, Team 2 defeated Team 1 by a score of 7-6, scoring 2 in the 1st end, 3 in the 5th end, and 2 in the 8th end. Team 1 scored 2 in the 2nd end to tie the game, stole single points in the 3rd and 4th two ends, and scored 2 in the 6th end. The 7th end was blanked.

On television, it is not unusual to see "baseball-type" scoreboards that are the opposite of the above: the permanent numbers are the ends of play, and the numbers hung represent the score tallied in that end. In this type of scoreboard, a cumulative score may be placed on the right.

Curling is unusual in that a team can concede a game. Typically this happens in the last end whenever a team no longer has enough rocks left that might score to tie the game. It may also happen the team believes that it is highly improbable to win, even if numerically possible.

Our Curling School page has more information on how to deliver a stone and basic strategy.

Be on time. Get to the club in time to change and warm up before the game. When you're late you're holding up seven other players. If you know you'll be unavoidably late, inform your team in advance.

Get a sub. On occasions when you're not able to curl as scheduled, it's your responsibility to get a substitute of similar ability and experience. Specific substitution rules may apply in your league; be aware of these before arranging for a sub. Call your skip and give the name of the curler substituting for you or the names of people you have called. No shows are no-no's.

Practice on a different sheet. If you arrive early and want to throw a few stone s to practice or warm up, by all means do so. But be sure not to use the sheet you'll be playing on.

Start with a handshake. At the beginning of a game, greet the members of the opposing team with a handshake, tell them your name, and wish them good curling. Make sure that everyone knows everyone else.

Finish with a handshake. When the game is over, offer each of the players a hearty handshake and move to the warm room. The winning curlers traditionally offer their counterparts some refreshment. In turn, your opponent should reciprocate.

Keep the ice clean. Change your shoes in the warm room. Sand, grit, and dirt are the ice's worst enemy. The shoes you wear should only be used for curling. Keep them clean.

Compliment a good shot. One of the nicest curling traditions is that players and spectators compliment a good shot by either side while not remarking on a poor shot or a competitors misfortune.

Be ready. Take your position in the hack as soon as your opponent has delivered his/her stone. Keep the game moving: delays detract from the sport. Be prepared to sweep as soon as your teammate releases the rock. Don't be caught off guard and have to run after the stone.

Be courteous. Don't distract your opponent in the hack. Keep your distance, be silent and motionless. Don't walk or run across the ice when a player is in the hack. Don't gather around the back of the house when an opponent is throwing. Sweepers should stay on the sidelines between the courtesy lines when not sweeping, including when walking back from sweeping a shot.

Wait for the score. Vice skips are the only players allowed in the house while the score for the end is being decided. All other players should wait beyond the hog line until told they may move into the house to clear the rocks, or until the vice skips move the rocks in the house.

The Sprit of Curling*

Curling is a game of skill and traditions. A shot well executed is a delight to see, and so, too, it is a fine thing to observe the time-honored traditions of curling being applied in the true spirit of the game. Curlers play to win, but never to humble their opponents. A true curler would prefer to lose, rather than win unfairly.

A good curler never attempts to distract an opponent or otherwise prevent another curler from playing his or her best.

No curler ever deliberately breaks a rule of the game or any of its traditions. But, if a curler should so inadvertently and be aware of it, he or she is the first to divulge the breach.

While the main objective of the game is to determine the relative skills of the players, the spirit of the game demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling, and honorable conduct. This spirit should influence both the interpretation and application of the rules of the game and also the conduct of all participants on and off the ice.

* from the USCA website

Back end Typically, the third and skip.

Back lines The lines tangent to the back edge of the 12 foot ring of the house. Rocks which have completely crossed this line are out of play and removed from the sheet.

Back of the house The portion of the house behind between the tee line and the back line.

Biter A rock which just barely touches the house. When seen from the side, the stone may not appear to be in the house, but when viewed from above or measured with a biter bar, is touching the 12 foot rings. Although as far from the center of the house as possible, biters have a bad habit of coming back to bite you.

Biter bar/stick Measuring stick which may be used to determines if outlying rocks are in the house. A point on one end of the biter bar is inserted into a post in the center of the button and the bar is pivoted around the edge of the house. If it touches a rock, the rock is in the house, regardless of whether or not it appears to be touching the painted rings. Unlike the paint of the house rings, which may vary slightly from regulation width, a biter bar is the official width of the house.

Blank end An end in which no rocks are in the house and neither team scores. Blanking an end may be accidental or a deliberate strategic move. The team which had hammer in the blanked end retains hammer in the following end.

Board weight A shot (typically a takeout) that is thrown with just enough weight to come to rest at or just beyond the backboard. Also called bumper weight.

Bumper weight See board weight.

Bonspiel A curling tournament. Several meanings and origins of the name have been claimed.

Broom A hair or synthetic brush used to sweep a rock so that it travels farther and "straighter" and as a stabilizing device when delivering a rock. Also see Ice.

Brushing see Sweeping

Burn To touch one of your own rocks with your body or equipment while it is traveling down the sheet. A rock burned between the hog lines is immediately stopped and removed from play. A rock that is burned beyond the far hog line is allowed to continue until it comes to a stop, when the person from the opposing team who is in charge of the house determines what to do with the rock. S/he may choose to remove the rock from play, move it to where s/he thinks the rock would have come to rest if not burned, or leave the rock where it came to rest.

Button The center of the house, surrounded by the 4 foot, 8 foot, and 12 foot rings, and bisected by the center line and tee line. The button is typically 2 feet in diameter.

Call line To indicate to sweepers whether or not to sweep to affect the line of travel of a rock. Sweeping keeps a rock going in the same direction it was traveling when sweeping began for a longer period of time. Although typically, we speak of sweeping as making a rock go straighter, if it has already begun to curl sharply, sweeping will not "straighten it out" back to its original line of delivery. The person in charge of the house (typically skip or vice-skip) calls line.

Center line The line which runs the length of a sheet and divides the sheet in half.

Come around A shot which curls around another stone. May be a hit or a draw.

Control zone The area in front of the tee line within 2 feet of the center line. Most scoring takes place in the control zone. The team with hammer attempts to keep the control zone clear for their last shot; teams without hammer try to "clutter it up" with rocks, making it more difficult for the team with hammer to score.

Counter A rock that scores, i.e. a rock that is closer to the center of the house than any of the opponent's stones.

Courtesy lines Two 6-inch lines 4 feet inside the hog lines between which players should stand when their team is not delivering a rock.

Curl The curving action of a rock that is delivered down a curling sheet. The amount of curl is determined by a combination of the speed of rotation and weight of a delivered rock and ice conditions.

Delivery Throwing a stone. See Curling school primer on the current delivery technique.

Double takeout A curling shot that removes two rocks from play, usually both opponent's rocks.

Draw A curling shot designed to stay in play. Draws may guard other rocks, hide behind rocks, freeze to rocks, or just sit out in the open.

Eight-ender An end in which all eight rocks of one team score, i.e. all of one teams rocks are closer to the center of the house than all the opponents rocks. A rare occurrence.

End A period of play in which both teams deliver all 8 of their rocks. Games typically are 6, 8, or 10 ends.

Extra ends If a game is tied at the end of the regular number of ends, play continues until one team scores at least one point and wins the game.

Fall A place in the ice where rocks do not travel a normal path, but move quickly away from the intended line, most typically toward the outside of the sheet.

Fast ice Ice over which rocks travel farther than they would when delivered with the same weight on slow ice.

Flash To completely miss a shot, usually a takeout, and pass completely through the house without touching other rocks.

Four-foot lines Two lines which run the between the hog lines, 2 feet to either side of the center line.

Free guard zone The area outside the house. If the first 4 rocks of the game (the leads' rocks) are beyond the far hog line and outside the house (i.e. in the free guard zone), they may not be removed from play by the opposing team until the 5th rock (the second's first rock) is thrown.

Freeze A draw shot that comes to rest against another rock without moving it.

Front end The lead and second.

Front of the house The portion of the house in front of the tee line.

Frost Buildup (often sandpapery) on ice surface usually caused by high humidity in the ice shed. Frost tends to make stones travel less distance and curl less. Frost also makes sweepers work harder!

Gripper A rubber covering pulled over the slide foot when sweeping to provide better traction. Also, the permanent rubber sole on the non-sliding shoe.

Guard A rock delivered in front of the house so that it is directly in line with but a distance above another rock, thus protecting it from a hit by the opposing team. Also, a rock delivered in front of the house so that rocks thrown later can "hide" behind the guard rock. Guards are crucial to scoring; L eads throw many guards.

Hack Device in the ice 6 feet behind the back line which a curler uses as a toehold while delivering a rock. The non-slide foot is braced against the hack. See the Curling School primer on delivery technique.

Hack weight A shot (typically a takeout) that is thrown with just enough weight to come to rest at or just beyond the hacks.

Hammer The last rock thrown in an end. Teams with the hammer have the last chance to score in any end. The hammer belongs to the team that did not score in the previous end.

Handle The rotation that a curler puts on a rock during delivery. Rocks that stop rotating part way down the ice are said to have "lost their handle". Rocks that are accidentally delivered without rotation are said to have "no handle". Rocks without a handle are unpredictable in their curl and the distance traveled.

Hard!/Harder! A call from the skip to the sweepers to sweep faster and with more pressure. See also Hurry!

Heavy To throw a rock with more weight (force) than required for the called shot. Heavy rocks will travel farther than desired.

Hit A curling shot designed to strike another rock with enough force to move the target rock. The target rock may be removed from play or moved a short distance to the advantage of the shooting team.

Hit and roll A shot that hits a rock and then moves across the sheet to a desired location, usually behind a guard. A hit and roll typically takes out an opponents rock.

Hit and stick A shot that hits a rock and remains in the place where it hit the rock.

Hog To throw a rock with insufficient weight (force) to completely cross the far hog line. Hogged rocks are immediately removed from play.

Hog lines Two lines which run across the sheet 21 feet beyond the tee line.

House The target area at each end of a curling sheet.

Hurry! A call from the skip to the sweepers to sweep faster and with more pressure. See also Hard!

Ice The distance between the target broom and the desired final location of a shot.

In-off A double take-out which removes an opponents or one's own rock, usually on the outer ring or outside the house, then rolls into the house to remove or displace an opponent's rock to score.. An extreme, exciting, and very difficult variation of a hit and roll.

In-turn A clockwise turn for a right-handed curler (counterclockwise for a left-handed curler).

Inside To throw the rock off the target broom (miss) in the same direction as the intended curl.

Last rock see Hammer.

Lead The person on the team who throws the first rock. In the U.S., typically the person who tosses the coin to determine which team has last rock in the first end. Part of the front end.

Line The path traveled by a rock. The person in the house calls line, i.e. provides the target and calls sweeping to keep the rock on the desired path.

Light To throw an rock with less weight (force) than was called for.

Measuring stick Used to determine which of two or more stones is closest to the button when it can't be determined visually.

Mixed Curling in which teams consist of two men and two women. Positions alternate genders (i.e. if the lead is female, the second will be male, third female, and skip male).

Narrow see Inside.

Negative ice Ice condition in which the skip places the target broom on the opposite side of the final location than would normally be used for the called turn. Negative ice is typically employed for some shots on ice with a significant fall.

Nip To remove the very top of the pebble; evens the tops so that rocks glide faster.

No handle see Handle.

Normal weight A takeout that is thrown with fairly heavy weight and is typically agreed-upon for a team. This takeout weight is heavier than hack weight and board weight.

Off! A call from the skip to the sweepers to stop sweeping.

Off the broom The person delivering the rock has missed the target broom. A rock thrown too far towards the direction of curl is said to be inside or narrow; if too away from the direction of curl, it is outside or wide.

On the broom The person delivering the rock has thrown directly at the target broom.

Out-turn A counterclockwise turn for a right-handed curler (clockwise for a left-handed curler).

Outside To throw the rock off the target broom (miss) in the opposite direction as the intended curl.

Pebble Small droplets of water that a sprinkled on the ice, freezing on contact. Pebble reduces the area of contact of a rock with the ice (and reduces friction).

Peel A shot which removes an opponents rock and then spins out of play. Typically used to clear rocks in blocking access to the control zone and/or to clear away any rocks that an opponent might "hide behind".

Peel weight A takeout that is thrown with very heavy weight so as to ensure that both the shooter and a target rock both roll out of play, or to move or take out several stones at once.

Pick Occurs when a rock hits or picks up some small debris left on the ice surface. A pick will cause a rock to change direction, handle, or both.

Pin The center of the button. Designed to accept measuring equipment.

Promote see Raise.

Port An opening between 2 rocks wide enough for a rock to pass through.

Raise To bump a rock a short distance, typically so that it's in a more favorable position.

Raise take-out A shot involving 3 rocks. The thrown rock hits the second rock, raising it into the third rock, which is pushed out of play.

Reading the ice The act of noticing how various parts of the ice react during a game. Where does it run fast or slow; swing more or less? Where have more rocks traveled (or not) on the ice? Are there any runs or falls? The responsibility of all team members: the person delivering the rock, so s/he knows how much weight to throw; the sweepers so they know whether or not to sweep, and the players in charge of the house, so they know how much ice to give for the desired shot.

Rings see House.

Rink A curling team, named for the skip. Also, the area where the curling sheet is housed.

Rocks The object thrown or delivered by curlers during a game. Rocks, or stones, are made of granite and weigh between 38 and 44 pounds.

Roll The sideways movement of a rock after it hits another rock off center.

Rotation Clockwise or counterclockwise spin imparted to a rock upon delivery. A rock typically rotates 2.5 to 3.5 times when traveling the sheet. Also called Turn.

Run A place in the ice where rocks do not travel a normal path because of a depression or trough in the ice. Rocks run straighter than expected in a run.

Running surface The portion of a curling rock which makes contact with the ice surface. The running surface is a circular ridge, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide.

Scrape To remove ice layers until all sheets are level. Scraping removes old layers of pebble and any dirt. After a scrape, ice is faster than before the scrape.

Second The team member who throws the 3rd and 4th rocks. Part of the front end.

Sheet The field of play for curling, approximately 150 feet long and 15 feet wide.

Shot/Shot rock The rock that is closer to the center of the house than any other rock. The second shot is second closest to the center of the house, etc.

Side lines Lines down the length of the ice that are the side boundaries of a curling sheet.

Skip The team member who calls the game: making final strategy decisions, determining shots, and holding the target broom for teammates. Commonly, the skip throws the 7th and 8th rocks, but many skips throw in other positions. Part of the back end.

Slider The slippery surface on the sole of the slide shoe. Typically made of Teflon; metal and brick sliders are also made. Alternatively, a shoe-shaped piece of Teflon that can be attached temporarily to the slide foot.

Slow ice Ice over which rocks travel less distance than they would when delivered with the same weight on fast ice.

Spinner A rock that has been given too much rotation upon delivery. Spinners do not curl as much as rocks thrown with the proper amount of rotation.

Stabilizer A delivery aid gripped in the hand not holding the rock, used as an alternative to a broom. Pejoratively, referred to as a "crutch."

Stack the brooms To socialize with your team and opponents. In social leagues, can occur as a break during a game; more typically, occurs after a game.

Steal To score in an end without the hammer.

Stick A delivery aid for persons who cannot perform the "standard" delivery. The stick has a fitting at one end which fits over the handle of the rock. Stick curlers either stand to deliver their rocks, or are in wheelchairs. Also, to remain in the place in which a rock strikes another rock (see Hit and Stick).

Stones see Rocks.

Straight Ice Ice on which a rock, given a normal rotation, will curl less than expected - less than 3 feet.

Sweep To move a curling broom back and forth in front of a moving rock. Sweeping is most effective when done quickly and with weight. Sweeping transiently alters the ice surface to reduce the friction between the rock and the ice surface. The rock travels farther and curls less.

Swingy ice Ice on which a rock, given a normal rotation, will curl more than expected - more than 4 feet.

Take-out A rock which hits another rock, removing the second rock from play. Hits vary in weight, depending on how far the target rock needs to be moved and how straight the hitting rock needs to run.

Tap back/up A gentle hit, in which the thrown rock moves the hit rock a short distance. Tap backs may be used to move your own rock into a favorable position, or to move an opponent's rock to a position useful for your team.

Tee see Pin. In the early days of curling, the center of the house was marked with a vertical post (the tee) to help the player delivering to aim.

Tee lines The lines crossing the width of a curling sheet through the center of the house (the tee).

Third The team member who throws the 5th and 6th rocks. Typically, the third is also the vice-skip, and is in charge of the house when the skip throws. Part of the back end.

Tight see Inside.

Triple A shot which removes from play 3 of the opposing teams rocks.

Turn see Rotation.

Up! A call from the skip to sweepers to stop sweeping.

Vice see Vice-skip or third.

Vice-skip The team member who is in charge of the house when the skip throws, holding the broom and call line. The vice-skip is also commonly the third. In Canada, typically the person who tosses the coin to determine which team has last rock in the first end. Part of the back end.

Weight Typically used to indicate how hard a stone has been thrown. Heavy rocks travel farther, faster, and straighter; light rocks travel less distance, slower, and curl more than heavy rocks.

Wick A shot in which the moving rock ticks the edge of a stationary rock, causing it to change direction. Sometimes called a "redirect."

About the sport of curling