About Curling
Rough Guide, Equipment Needed, Etiquette
Rough Guide, Equipment Needed, Etiquette
Curling is a sport played on ice between two teams of four players each.
The objective is to slide heavy granite stones (each weighing about 20 kg or 42 pounds) toward the center of a target area called the house, which is marked by concentric circles on the ice. The team that places its stones closest to the center scores points for that end (a round of play).
After all 16 stones have been thrown — eight per team — the team with the stone closest to the center scores one point for each of its stones that is closer than the opponent’s nearest stone. A typical game consists of eight ends and lasts around two hours. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
The stones do not travel in a straight line. They are released with a slight turn, causing them to "curl" or follow a curved path due to friction with the ice. As a stone slides, players on the delivering team may sweep the ice in front of it to influence its speed and direction.
Sweeping is done with a specialized curling broom. The sweeping motion lightly melts the ice surface, creating a thin film of water that reduces friction. This allows the stone to travel farther and alter the amount of curl, giving players a way to adjust the stone’s final position and trajectory without physically touching it. When not delivering, players sweep for their teammates.
At the highest level, curling is a game of precision (with shots often measured in inches over a 40-yard/metre distance) and physical endurance (especially during sweeping). At recreational levels, however, curling is a fun and accessible sport that can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages.
An introduction to curling strategy can be found here: Introduction to Curling Strategy.pdf
There are two essential pieces of equipment needed for curling: a curling broom and proper footwear.
Curling shoes can be purchased from a pro shop at most curling rinks. However, clean running shoes paired with a slip-on slider are usually sufficient for beginners.
Brooms and sliders can often be rented from the rink, but it’s recommended that you eventually purchase your own for better fit and consistency.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting pants and a warm top—such as a sweatshirt, sweater, or light jacket. Gloves are also recommended, as they serve two purposes: (1) keeping your hands warm, and (2) providing a more comfortable grip when sweeping.
Only skips and thirds should be at the far end of the ice; leads and seconds should stay between the two hog lines.
The third is responsible for scoring decisions. This includes measuring close stones, posting the score, and confirming points with the opposing third. The winning third is also responsible for entering the final score into the League Buddy website.
When the opposing team is delivering a stone, players should stand to the side and keep their brooms off the ice to avoid distraction.
After delivering your shot, move to the side so the next team can prepare their delivery.
keep an eye on the time — each end should take approximately 15 minutes.
Players must not distract opponents or interfere with their play in any way.
No player should intentionally break the rules. If a rule is broken accidentally and the player becomes aware of it, they are expected to acknowledge it themselves.
Curling is known for its strong sense of sportsmanship and community. Reflecting this spirit, it is traditional for the winning team to buy the losing team a round of drinks after the game.