The house has four different sized circles - the 12' circle, the 8' circle, the 4'
circle and the button, which is the small circle in the middle. Sometimes the house is also called
the rings. In order to score points, your rocks must be all the way in or just touching the house,
which is called biting. Rocks that go over the back line are removed from play as are rocks that
don't go over the hog line.
Curling rocks don't travel in straight lines, but curl or bend as they travel down
the ice. In order to make the rocks curl in the right direction, you must put a turn on the rock,
either a clockwise turn or a counterclockwise turn. When the Skip indicates where the rock you are
about to deliver is to go, he/she will also indicate which turn you must put on the rock. The Skip
will also indicate to you how hard you are to throw the rock. You may be asked for takeout weight
in order to remove an opposition rock or rocks or for draw weight if the Skip wants you to put the
rock gently into a particular spot.
Once you deliver your rock towards the Skip, the other two players on your team
will slide along beside it and will begin to sweep if asked to do so by the Skip. Brushing helps
the rock go farther and also helps to keep it on course and to guide it to the position requested.
Another reason for brushing is to keep the ice clean for the rock. Sometimes frost, dirt or hairs
can cause a rock to go off course so the ice is brushed lightly to keep it clean.
Brushers may only brush their own rock until it reaches the far tee line. After the
tee line only one brusher may brush the rock. The other team's Skip may brush your rock after it
reaches the far tee line because he or she is trying to brush it out of play.
The area between the hogline and the rings at each end is called the Free Guard
Zone. If a rock lands in this area it cannot be removed from play until the fourth rock of the
end is thrown. It can be moved within that area or moved into the house but if it is removed from
play, it has to be returned to its original position. On the fourth rock, any rock can be removed
from play. This rule makes the game more interesting and stops teams from just peeling the other
teams rocks off for the whole game.
Curling Terminology
BACK RING WEIGHT
A stone thrown with sufficient momentum to reach the back rings. The portion of the 12 foot ring behind
the tee line and in the proximity of the centre line.
BACKLINE
The line that runs across the sheet of ice tangent to the back of the 12 foot ring at the centre line.
BITER
A stone that just touches the outer edge of the 12 foot circle and is a potential point.
BLANK END
An end in which no points have been scored.
BLANKING AN END
The strategy by which a team deliberately blanks an end for the purpose of retaining last rock advantage.
BONSPIEL
A curling competition comprised of a number of different events usually played over a weekend.
BRICK
A slang term for the curling stone.
BRIER
The Brier is the Canadian Men's Curling Championship.
BROOM
A type of device used to sweep the ice in the path of the stone and may be manufactured with straw
or synthetic fibers.
BRUSH
A type of device used to sweep the ice in the path of the stone and may be manufactured with hog's
hair, horse hair or synthetic fibres.
BRUSHING
The act of moving the brush back and forth across the ice in front of a moving stone.
BUMPER, OR BACK-BOARD WEIGHT
A lightweight takeout thrown with sufficient momentum to reach the back board at the distant end.
BURNED STONE
A stone in motion touched by a member of either team, or any part of their equipment.
BUTTON
The one foot circle at the centre of the house.
CASH SPIEL
A bonspiel in which the prizes consist of cash awards.
CENTRE LINE
The line that runs from the mid-point between the hacks at one end of the ice to the mid-point
between the hacks at the other end of the ice.
CHIP
To hit only a small portion of a stone.
CHIP AND ROLL, OR HIT AND ROLL
To hit a small portion of a stone and roll the delivered stone to another position.
CLEAN
To lightly sweep or brush in front of a stone to remove any debris.
COUNTER
Any stone in the rings or touching the rings which is a potential point.
DEAD HANDLE
A stone that is released with little or no rotation of the handle.
DOUBLE TAKEOUT
A takeout shot that removes two of the opponent's stones at one time.
DRAW WEIGHT
The momentum required for a stone to reach the house or circles at the distant end.
END
A portion of a curling game that is completed when each team has thrown eight stones and the score
has been decided. A game consists of a specific number of ends, usually 8 or 10.
FAST ICE
Ice conditions that require very little momentum to produce the required weight.
FIFTH PLAYER
The substitute or alternate player on a team.
FLIPPED OUT
A stone that is released with poor technique which causes it to be wide of the skip's broom.
.
FREEZE
A precise draw weight shot in which the delivered stone comes to rest directly up against a
stationary stone.
FRONT RING WEIGHT
A stone thrown with sufficient weight to reach the 12 foot circle in front of the T line and at the
proximity of the centre line.
FROSTY ICE
Ice that has layer of frost on the surface usually caused by excess humidity.
GUARD
A stone that is placed in a position so that it may protect or potentially protect another stone.
HACKS
The foot-holds at each end of the ice from which the stone is delivered.
HACK WEIGHT
A light weight takeout delivered with enough momentum for it to reach the hack at the distant end.
HAIR
A bristle from a brush.
HAMMER
The last stone of an end.
HEART
The crest that is given to a team to signify winning a provincial/territorial championship which
leads to a national championship.
HEAVY
A stone delivered with more momentum weight than was actually required.
HEAVY ICE
Slow ice. When ice conditions are such that more than the normal amount of momentum is required to
produce the desired weight.
HIT
A takeout. Removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with another stone.
HOG LINE
A line 10 meters from the hack at each end of the ice. A stone, to be in play, must completely
cross the hog line at the distant end.
HOUSE
The rings or circles toward which play is directed.
HURRY
A command given to the sweepers to sweep vigorously.
ICE
In the playing of a takeout or draw shot it is the distance between the skip's broom and the target
stone or target area, determined by the amount of curl and weight anticipated.
IN-TURN
The rotation applied to the handle of a stone that causes to turn and curl in a clockwise direction
for a right handed curler.
INSIDE
A stone delivered between the skip's broom and the intended target stone or target area.
JUNK
The style of play that has many stones in play.
KEEN ICE
Fast ice. When ice conditions are such that less than the normal amount of momentum is required to
produce the desired weight.
LEAD
The first player on a team to deliver a pair of stones for his team in each end.
LIGHT
A stone delivered with less than the weight required to successfully complete the desired shot.
LOST TURN
A stone that does not maintain the rotation imparted at release.
MISSED THE BROOM
A stone delivered off the intended line of delivery which is determined by the skip's broom.
NARROW
A stone delivered between the skip's broom and the intended target stone or target area.
OFFICIAL
The umpire or referee responsible for ensuring the game is played according to the rules.
OUT-TURN
The rotation applied to the handle of a stone that causes to turn and curl in a counter- clockwise
direction for a right handed curler.
OUTSIDE
See wide.
OVER THE HOG LINE
A stone that is released from the curler's hand after reaching the hogline at the end of delivery
PEBBLE
A fine spray of water applied to a sheet of curling ice before commencing play.
PEEL
A take out shot that removes a stone from play and the delivered stone also rolls out of play.
PEEL WEIGHT
The momentum required on a take out shot to remove a stone from play and also roll the delivered
stone out of play.
PORT
An opening between two stones that is just large enough to allow passage of another stone.
RAISE
When one stone is bumped ahead or advanced by another stone.
READING ICE
The skill by which the skip anticipates the amount a stone will curl relative to the weight required.
RINGS
The circles towards which play is directed.
RINK
A team. Also the building in which the game is played.
ROLL
The movement of a curling stone after it has struck a stationary stone in play.
RUN
Small dips or hollows in the ice that restrict the stone from curling in its intended path.
RUNNER
A take out shot that travels very fast.
SECOND
The curler who delivers the second pair of stones for his team in each end.
SHEET
The specific playing surface upon which a curling game is played.
SHOT ROCK
At any time during an end, the stone which is closest to the button.
SKIP
The player who determines the strategy, reads the ice and directs play for his team. Generally the
skip delivers the last pair of stones for his team in each end.
SLOW ICE
Heavy ice. Ice that requires more momentum than normal to produce the required amount of weight.
SPARE
An alternate player or substitute.
SPINNER
A stone that is released so that it rotates many times as it travels down the sheet.
SPLIT-RAISE
A stone that raises another stone into the rings and rolls in itself.
STRAIGHT HANDLE
A stone that is released without any rotation applied to the handle at release.
SWEEPING
The action of moving a broom or brush back and forth in the path of a moving stone.
SWINGY ICE
Ice conditions which cause the stone to curl a greater distance than normal.
TAKE OUT
Removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with another stone.
TEE LINE
The line that passes through the centre of the house that runs at right angles to the centre line.
THIRD, VICE-SKIP OR MATE
The third player on a team to throw two stones in each end. Generally this player acts as the skip
when the skip is delivering his stones and assists with shot selection decisions.
TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS
The Canadian Women's Curling Championship.
TURNED IN
A stone which, at release, is directed toward the target or target area and not directly at the
skip's broom.
WEIGHT
The momentum imparted to a curling stone in delivery.
WICK
To hit only a small portion of a stone.
WICK AND ROLL
To hit a small portion of a stone and roll the delivered stone to another location.
WIDE
A stone that is delivered to the opposite side of the broom than the target stone or target area.
WRECKED SHOT
A shot that accidentally wicks off a stone in front of the house.
Source: Canadian Curling Association.
Curling Etiquette
Curling has always been known for the prevalence of good sportsmanship and the
friendly courteous rivalry that exists on the ice. The courtesies suggested are practised by
curlers who understand the true spirit and tradition of the "roaring game."
Every curling game begins with a hearty handshake of friendship and goodwill to both
team mates and opponents.
Be on time. Seven other people will be depending on you.
Clean your shoes before stepping onto the ice.. Clean your brush regularly during
the game. It is everyone's responsibility to keep the sheet of ice clean. However, you may
not remove any foreign object from beneath a moving stone or from one that has come to rest.
Be ready to throw your stone immediately after your opponent’s stone has been
delivered, Make sure that you clean your stone first.
In no way should you disturb a player in the hack or in his delivery or until he
or she watches the stone come to a stop. You should stand still on the sideline and between
the hog lines when your opponent is delivering a stone.
Stay out of the way of opposing sweepers.
Each skip should let the other members of his rink know what he or she is planning
to do; let them in on the strategy.
Sweepers should be on the sidelines - alert and ready to sweep immediately, if
called upon and they should stay with the stone all the way to the house, sweeping or not.
When in the house, skips and thirds should keep their brooms behind them and stand
still while opponents are throwing.
No one should deliberately delay the game.
If you have personally touched (fouled or burned) a moving stone, you should be the
first one to so declare.
If you have personally moved a stationary stone, say so immediately so that it may
be replaced (put into original position) to the satisfaction of the opposing skip.
Congratulate opposing players, as well as members of your own rink, when they have
made a good shot. Never, by word or deed, be guilty of any action that would embarrass a player
who has missed a shot.
Every curling game ends with a hearty handshake of friendship and goodwill to both
team mates and opponents.