A Brief Explanation of Curling
The Basics
The Curling Sheet
The Curling Stone
It's Called Curling Because...
The Team
Types of Shots
Sweeping
Equipment
More Info
The Basics
Curling is played on a sheet of ice with granite stones weighing 42 pounds each. There are four players on a team who take turns delivering (sliding) the stones down the ice. The game is divided into segments called ends where 16 stones (8 by each team) are slid down the sheet. The goal of the game in each end is to have your team's stones closest to the center of the house (target) at the far end of the sheet. There are different types of shots to accomplish this and they are explained below.At the
completion of an end, the team with stones closest to the center of the
house scores points. One point is scored for each stone closer to
the center than any of the opponent's stones. Only one team can
score in an end. Stones must be touching the rings of the house to
be eligible for scoring. A typical game lasts eight ends.
The Curling Sheet
The ice playing surface is called a sheet and is 138 feet long by 15 feet wide. The main features of the sheet are the house (target), the hack (foothold), the hog line and the tee line.
The house is the scoring area consisting of three concentric rings 4, 8 and 12 feet in diameter. The hack is the foothold where one delivers or throws the stone. A player delivering a stone must release it before reaching the near hog line. A stone must completely cross the far hog line to be in play. The tee line crosses the house at its midpoint. The spot where the tee line crosses the center of the house is called the button.
The ice surface
is not smooth but has a textured surface called pebble, which is
formed by sprinkling water droplets over the ice.
The pebbled surface allows the stone to glide with just the right amount
of friction.
The Curling Stone
The curling stone
originated in Scotland from large chunks of rock bowled across the ice,
none having any particular size or shape. They evolved into what are now
matched sets of uniformly made stones, each weighing about 42 pounds.
They are all made of pure granite and are amazingly hard. The best
stones come from a single quarry on an island off the coast of Scotland.
Due to manufacturing and shipping being quite expensive, sets of curling
stones are owned by the club and not by individuals.
The stone is concave on both the upper and lower surfaces. The surface of the stone that actually touches the ice is a narrow circular band about 1/2 inch wide. This allows the stone to go farther, more accurately, and to curl more than would be possible with a flat surface. A handle, usually on a circular plastic disc, is bolted onto the stone.
It's Called "Curling" Because...
A player delivering a stone gives it a slight spin upon release. The ideal amount of spin will cause the stone to make no more than three complete rotations as it travels the length of the ice. The spin allows the stone to travel in a curved path as it approaches the house. The curved path is called the curl. How much a stone curls depends on the amount of spin, the speed of the stone and the ice conditions. The faster the stone is traveling, the less it will curl. Remarkably, more spin does not equal more curl!
A curling team is sometimes called a rink and consists of four players. The skip is the team captain. He/she sets the overall strategy, calls for specific shots, interprets the ice conditions and throws his/her team's last two rocks in each end. A skip should be adept at all types of shots as well as making lemonade from his/her teammates' lemons. The vice-skip, or third, holds the broom while the skip delivers his/her stones, assists the skip in reading the ice conditions and throws rocks number five and six. The second throws stones number three and four and should be a powerful sweeper. The lead throws his/her team's first two rocks in each end, setting the tone for how the end will play out.
Some basic types of curling shots are draw, takeout, raise and guard. Each is useful in different situations. When to use each shot becomes evident as you learn the strategy of the game. Here is an explanation of the terms:
Draw: A stone delivered with just the right amount of speed to stop by itself in the house.
Takeout: A faster shot intended to knock an opponent's stone out of scoring position.
Raise: A more advanced shot designed to bump one's own team's stone into scoring position.
Guard: A stone delivered to the front of the house to protect a stone that's already in scoring position.
Sweeping in front
of a moving stone can affect the path of the stone and is an integral
part of the game. Players who are not taking their turns
delivering must be ready to sweep their teammates' stones upon the
skip's command. Friction from sweeping warms up the ice
immediately in front of the stone. Warmer ice produces less "pull"
on the stone, causing the stone to travel farther and straighter than it
would otherwise. A pair of good sweepers can not only add several
feet to a stone's distance but can also straighten a stone's path.
Personal curling equipment is very simple and inexpensive. A broom can be a short-haired brush or cloth-covered pad costing as little as $40. For footwear, a pair of clean, non-slip athletic shoes will suffice. A removable slider, about $20, can be worn over one sole. Specialized insulated shoes are available that incorporate a gripper sole and a sliding sole. Clothing should keep you warm on the ice but allow flexibility and room for movement. Jeans are not recommended. Stones are owned by the club and remain at the curling venue.
Get info about the club, leagues and costs by reading the FAQ FILE.
©Edina
Curling Club