Curling :: The Basics

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Curling - The Basics

Eqipment The Ice Rocks Playing The Game Key Terms

The Curler's Code of Ethics

The Curler's Code of Ethics was put fourth by the CCA as a suppliment fo the rules of the game

Equipment

- Footwear -

The Slider

A slider is worn on the sliding foot and is for sliding out of the hack during delivery. Which foot is the sliding foot? If you are right handed, you left foot is your sliding foot, and if you are left handed, your right foot is your sliding foot. (If you have trouble remembering, sometimes it can help to think of it as "the foot you don't write with" ... it doesn't really make sense since you don't write with your feet, but thinking that can help you remember). Sliders some in many different forms. Many clubs provide a thick, smooth tape which is secured to the bottom of your shoe and acts as a slider for beginners. A taped foot is not as slippery as a slider, so it is a good way to start. I have also seen duct tape used as a slider as well ... I have never tried that, so I don't know how well it works.

If you plan to stick with curling, purchasing your own slider is a good idea, since sliders work much better than tape and you will find that taping your show is a pain. Sliders are usually available for purchase through your club, or at sports equipment stores or at Canadian Tire.

White teflon sliders are the most common. They can be purchased as a slip on slider that you put on before you throw, or as a glue on slider that you gleu to the bottom of your own shoe. You can also purchase curling shoes that already have a the slider attached. You can also use a red brick slider or a stainless steel slider (however, the metal slider is very fast and not a good idea for beginners.)

The slider should NEVER be worn anywhere but on the ice surface (trust me on this one, the first slider I bought, the first thing I did was put it on my show and step on the ground, it picked up all kinds of dirt got a little scratched, you don't want that to happen). If your slider is attached to your shoe, you should use a gripper or a slipper to cover it when not in use.

IMPORTANT NOTE: YOU CURLING SHOES SHOULD NEVER BE WORN OUTDOORS. MAKE SURE TO KEEP THEM CLEAN AT ALL TIMES BECAUSE BRINGING DIRT AND ROCKS ON TO THE ICE IS A VERY BAD THING!!!!!

The Gripper - The foot opposite the sliding foot is the gripper foot. It can be just a regular shoe (providing that it is a clean shoe, and a shoe with enough traction on it that you can walk on the ice without slipping). A gripper can be purchased to put over your sliding foot when not throwing (or if you have a slip on slider, you can simply take it off after throwing). In Canada, the double-gripper sweeping method is becoming much more popular, and it requires either a slider you can remove or a gripper to put over the slider.

- Brushes and Brooms -

- Clothing -

It is important to make sure that you dress in warm, loose clothing (but nothing too baggy). You want to be sure that you can move in it, but you don't want to be tripping over it. Never wear jeans, and avoid wearing sweaters that shed. It is also a good idea to layer your clothing, because you may get too warm when sweeping.

The Ice

One of the first things you'll notice about the surface of curling ice is that looks different than hockey arena ice. It is covered in little bumps called pebble, which are frozen drops of water. The pebble is what makes the rocks able to reach the rings when thrown and also allows the rocks to curl.

Curling ice should be treated with respect. It melts quickly with body heat, so it is important not to sit on the ice, or hold your hand or any other body part on the ice, and if you fall, get back up as quickly as possible.

Ice technicians must take courses and become certified in oder to be able to male good ice. There is no zamboni for curling ice, so it is important to avoid scratching it. Of course, accidents will happen, but just don't scratch or damage the ice on purpose, and don't hit it with the hard edge of your broom.

The Rocks
Ah the rock, a 44 pound hunk of polished granite that has evolved so much since the beginning of curling. The bottom of the rock is concave and has only a relatively small running surface, or rim (the part of the rock that is in contact with the ice). Beginners should **NOT** try to lift the rock, as tempting as that may be, because if it falls on your foot it **WILL** hurt, and you could risk damaging the ice. Most new curlers will not learn the lift-delivery, so there is no reason to lift the rock completely off the ice at anytime. However, when cleaning the bottom of the rock, you will need to tilt it onto it's side so that the bottom is exposed. Get someone who is experienced to teach you how to do this properly.

Playing The Game

First of all, you need to know the positions:
Lead-Delivers the first two stones for their team each end, sweeps the second, third and skip's rocks.
Second-Delivers the 3rd and 4th rocks for their team each end, sweeps the lead, thrid and skip's rocks. The Lead and the Second collectively make the Front End
Third-Can be called Third, Vice (vice-skip), or Mate, delivers the 5th and 6th rocks for their team each end. Sweeps the lead and the second's rocks. Holds the broom for the skip while the skip is throwing. Calls score at the conclusion of each end and puts the score on the board. Flips the coin at the beginning of the game to determine hammer.

MORE TO COME SOON!

Key Terms
Hammer-last rock advantage
House-the name for the set of rings at each end of the sheet of ice
Biter-a rock just touching the rings
Hog line-The thick red lines at either end of sheet of the ice
T-line-the black line that runs through the centre of the house, parallel to the hog line
Shot-The rock that is closest to the centre at any time during the game (ie shot rock, or being shot being that your team has the shot rock)
Bonspiel-A curling tournament
Pebble-The tiny bumps on the ice surface
Button-The centre of the house
Pick-When a rock hits a piece of debris (ie dirt or hair) on the ice and either stops, moves drastically, speeds up, stops curling, etc, it is said to have picked
Free Gaurd Zone-The area between the hog line and the T-line not including the rings
Gaurd-A rock placed in the free gaurd zone
Draw-A rock thrown into the house
Take-out-A rock that hits an opponents rock out of play
Raise-Hitting your own rock back, leaving it in play
Freeze-Throwing a rock to sit right against another rock
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