About Curling

Rough guide to curling

• Curling is a sport played on ice with two teams of four players.
  
  The purpose of the game is to put your stones (made out of granite and about 42 lb in weight) closer to the centre of the house (the target area defined by circles drawn on the ice surface) than the other team.
• After all stones have been played, the team with the stones closest to the centre of the house scores points for that end. There are typically eight ends in a curling game. The points total is equal to the number of stones closer to the centre than the nearest stone of the opposing team. After the ends (game time about two hours) the team with the most points wins the game.
• The stones do not move in a straight line. They are thrown with a turning motion and due to the friction with the ice they move along a curved path. While the stone is travelling down the ice, the delivering team's players are allowed to sweep in front of the stone as a method of controlling the stone's speed and direction.
• Sweeping is done with a broom designed for curling. The sweeping action very slightly melts the surface of the ice creating a thin water film, which lowers the friction between stone and ice. This has two effects: the stone does not slow down as quickly and runs further before it stops and the curved path becomes straighter. Therefore the place where the stone stops and its direction can be changed while it is running without touching it. When players aren't throwing, they sweep the stones for their teammates.
• At the highest-level curling is a skilful game of precision (inches over a distance of 40 yards) and physical endurance (for the sweeping). On a lower level curling is, however, a game that can be enjoyed by men and women from the young to the old.
• An introduction to curling strategy can be found here: Introduction to Curling Strategy.pdf

Curling Etiquette

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Below are some important etiquette callouts. Check out this document for a more complete discussion of curling etiquette. Curling Etiquette.pdf

• Only skips and thirds should stand at the end of the ice. Leads and seconds should remain between the two hog lines.
• The third is responsible for judgement calls on scoring. This includes measuring questionable rocks, placing the score on the board, and agreeing on the points scored. The winning third is also responsible for recording the final game result.
• When the opposing team is throwing, players should stand off to the side, and brooms should be kept off the ice to avoid distraction.
• After your shot has been thrown, please move off the centre of the ice so that the other team can prepare their shot.
• Keep an eye on the time, ends should take roughly 15 minutes each.
• A player shall never attempt to distract an opponent or otherwise prevent them from playing their best.
• No curler shall deliberately break a rule of the game. But, if they should do so inadvertently and be aware of it, they are the first to divulge the breach.
• Emphasizing the social nature of the sport, it is the custom that the winning team buys the losing team a round after the game.

Curling Equipment

• There are two essential pieces of equipment required for curling: a curling broom and proper footwear.
• Curling shoes can be purchased from a pro-shop at a curling rink, however clean running shoes and a slip-on slider are usually adequate.
• Brooms and sliders can be rented from the curling rink, however it is recommended that you purchase your own.
• It is suggested that you wear comfortable (loose fitting) pants, and a warm top (sweatshirt, sweater or jacket).
• Gloves are also recommended. The gloves will serve two purposes: (1) they'll keep your hands warm. (2) it will be more comfortable when you're sweeping.