Curling Gameplay & Brief History
Curling, often called the 'Roaring' Game' due to the sound of a stone
gliding over ice, is believed to be one of the oldest team sports
worldwide, though its exact origins remain unclear. Early depictions
resembling curling can be found in 16th-century Flemish paintings by
Pieter Bruegel. Written records from 1540 in Scotland mention a
challenge involving stone throwing on ice. Over time, this pastime
transformed into a modern sport, complete with world championships and
large TV audiences. Initially played on frozen lakes and ponds,
competitive curling now takes place indoors on carefully controlled
ice. Scotland was the birthplace of curling clubs, with the first
rules formalized there in the 19th century. Curling's international
reach expanded as Scots settled in countries with cold climates,
notably Canada, the United States, and others. Notably, curling made
its Olympic debut in 1924 at the Winter Games in Chamonix, France,
solidifying its status as a globally recognized sport. Curling has
evolved over the years, introducing new disciplines like Mixed Doubles
(two-person teams) and Wheelchair Curling. Today, it boasts 73 nations
with Curling Federations. Back in 1932, Curling made its first
appearance as a demonstration sport at the Lake Placid Olympics, with
Canada emerging as the winner. It took until 1998 for Curling to gain
official Olympic medal status for both men's and women's teams. Since
then, the sport has seen remarkable growth and international
recognition. In 2008, the first World Mixed Doubles Curling
Championship was held, introducing a new dynamic to the sport.
Wheelchair Curling was also introduced, gaining official Paralympic
medal status in 2002. These developments have paved the way for
Curling to expand its reach and popularity worldwide.
Rules: How to Play
In traditional curling, teams typically have four players, but mixed
doubles involves teams of two, with one female and one male player.
Women's, men's, and wheelchair curling teams can also include a fifth
player known as the Alternate, who acts as a substitute. Each team
designates a Skip as the team captain, and a Vice-Skip assists them.
The Skip directs play and stands in the scoring area, while the
Vice-Skip takes over when the Skip is throwing their stones. In team
curling, each player delivers two stones in consecutive turns during
each round, called an End, alternating with the opposing team. Teams
use eight stones of the same color, either red or yellow, in official
events. The players' positions are Lead, Second, Third, and Fourth.
The Lead throws the first two stones, the Second throws the next two,
the Third throws the following two, and the Fourth throws the last
two. Skips usually throw the final stones, but this isn't mandatory.
In mixed doubles, both teams throw five stones each. They start each
round with one stone pre-placed, allowing for a possible six-point
score. One player throws the first and fifth stones, while the other
throws the second, third, and fourth stones
Field of Play
Curling is played on a long, specially prepared strip of ice called a
sheet. The sheet is over 45 meters long and up to five meters wide. At
each end of the sheet are two target-like circles called houses. Each
house has four rings that determine the position of the curling
stones, with the center being known as the Button.
Scoring & Basics of the Game
Teams score one point for each of their own stones in or touching the
house that are closer to the center than any of the opponent's stones.
Only one team can score in an end. If neither team's stones are
touching the house at the end of an end, it's called a blank end.
Teams take turns throwing their stones from the Hack at one end of the
sheet to the house at the other end. Stones must be released before
the Hog Line to be in play. Stones that don't pass the hog line are
removed. After each end, the teams switch directions. Once all stones
are thrown, players calculate the score themselves. Curling usually
consists of ten ends, but can be shorter in some formats. Teams can
concede a game before the end if they choose. The team with the most
points wins.
Last Stone Draw
Before a game of curling starts, teams decide who gets the Last Stone
Advantage, also known as the Hammer. In championship games, this is
determined by the Last Stone Draw (LSD), where players throw stones
towards the center of the house, and the closest stone wins the
advantage. Having the last stone means a team throws the final stone
of the end, giving them a chance to score points or win. After
scoring, the advantage shifts to the opposing team for the next end.
Teams aim to score more than one point in an end. Sometimes, they
choose to blank an end, leaving no stones in the house to keep the
last stone advantage. However, in mixed doubles, blanking an end also
gives the opposing team the last stone advantage.
Power Play
In mixed doubles, teams can use a power play once per game. To
activate it, they must decide at the start of an end, before the
stones are placed. Usually, pre-placed stones start with the team
having the last stone advantage putting one at the back of the
four-foot circle (red). The other team starts with a center guard
(yellow). During a power play, these pre-placed stones are moved to
the side, forming a corner guard (yellow) and a stone behind it,
touching the tee line (red).
Game timing & Equipment
Game Timing: A championship curling game typically lasts about three
hours. Teams are allotted Thinking Time based on the game format. In
ten-end games, teams get 38 minutes each. For eight-end games, it's 30
minutes. Wheelchair curling teams have 38 minutes for eight-end games,
and mixed doubles teams have 22 minutes. Equipment: In curling,
players use heavy granite stones. Each stone weighs almost 20
kilograms. Players also have their own brush and special curling
shoes. These shoes have one sole for grip and one for sliding, called
a Slider. They also use a gripper, a removable rubber sole that
protects the slider, keeps it clean, and helps the player stay stable
on the ice.
Shots, Sweeping & Shouting
There are three main types of curling shots: Guards, Draws, and
Take-outs, each with various versions.
● Guards are thrown to the front of the house, in the Free Guard Zone,
to protect stones in play. Draws aim to reach the house and set up
scoring positions.
● Take-outs remove stones from play. Meaning the stones that are hit
out of their previous scores are no longer factors of the determined
outcome.
● When thrown, a stone will curl across the ice sheet. Players rotate
the stone clockwise or counter-clockwise to control its path on the
pebbled ice, influencing where it stops.
Sweeping
Sweeping warms the ice to help the stone glide smoothly. It's done by
applying downward force while moving the broom back and forth.
Sweeping makes the stone go farther, often by two or three meters. It
also reduces the stone's curl, making its path straighter.
Shouting!
Players often shout "Hurry! Hard!" to communicate during a game of
curling because of the long ice sheet. However, some teams use hand
signals instead of shouting.
Wheelchair Curling
Wheelchair curling is for people who can't walk long distances, such
as those with spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, or amputations, who use
wheelchairs.
Teams in wheelchair curling must have both female and male players.
Delivery sticks can help players throw stones, and there's no
sweeping.
Benefits of Curling
- Physical Exercise: Curling provides a moderate level of physical
activity, involving walking, sliding, and sweeping, which can
contribute to cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility.
- Social Interaction: Curling is a team sport that fosters camaraderie
and social interaction among players. It provides opportunities to
meet new people, build friendships, and strengthen existing
relationships.
- Mental Engagement: Curling requires strategic thinking,
problem-solving, and decision-making, which can help improve cognitive
function and mental agility. Inclusivity: Curling is a sport that can
be enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels.
Adaptations such as wheelchair curling make it accessible to
individuals with physical disabilities.
- Community Engagement: Curling clubs often serve as hubs for
community activities and events, providing a sense of belonging and
connection to local communities. Enjoyment and Recreation: Curling
offers a fun and recreational activity that can be enjoyed by
individuals, families, and groups, providing a break from daily
routines and stress.
- Skill Development: Curling requires the development of various
skills such as coordination, balance, and teamwork, which can be
transferable to other aspects of life.
- Competition and Achievement: Curling provides opportunities for
competitive play at various levels, from local leagues to
international tournaments, allowing players to set goals, strive for
improvement, and experience the satisfaction of achievement.
Overall, curling offers a unique combination of physical, social, and
mental benefits, making it a rewarding and enjoyable activity for
participants of all backgrounds and abilities.
Curling Diciplines