Many people see the strange stones, brooms, and target in curling and think the rules must be very complicated.The scoring rules are easy to understand if you watch a match.The team with the closest stone gets a point.Getting a grasp on the strategy used to get stones into scoring positions will help you enjoy games and even improve as a player.
Step 1: Team of 4 players who alternate shots.
Each game of curling has 2 teams with 4 players each.Team members are throwing stones.The turn order is determined before the game.Mixed Doubles curling is the exception to this.The teams have one male and one female player.Regular games are slower than Mixed Doubles games.
Step 2: The target is in the center of the ice.
A sheet is the playing surface for curling.The house is the target at the other end of the ice.The bullseye is in the center of the target.The blue, white, and red rings are intimidating for beginners.Ignore the rings.They are a visual indicator of where to aim, but they don't pay much attention.How close your stones are to the button is the most important part.The stones have to stop between the hog line and the back line to stay in play.
Step 3: The ice should be sent towards the house.
The teams play with granite stones, also called rocks.Teams throw 1 stone at a time.Each team member gets to throw 2 stones and their teammates guide them to the house.It takes some practice to guide a stone along the ice.Team members make turns.Each team gets only 5 stones, so you have to wait to throw your second stone.
Step 4: In a game, play 10 ends.
The end of a baseball game is akin to an innning.An official counts the score and writes it on a scorecard after all the stones are thrown.There are 80 stones in a match.The team that won the previous end starts each end.Team B starts the second end if they score more points in the first.The team that goes second in curling has an advantage.Depending on the game format, the amount of ends can change.The games may be limited to 8 ends.Mixed Doubles games are usually 8 ends long, but recreational games may be shorter.
Step 5: Points can be scored by getting stones into the house.
Points can be earned by stones that stay within the house.Each end is your team's goal.In curling, teams throw and knock away stones in order to get a better position in the house.Outside of the house, it is possible to land a stone.There are usually guards in these areas.They don't count towards any points.During an end, teams may not score any points.Neither team gets a point if nobody has a stone in the house.
Step 6: To score a point, land the closest stone to the button.
The team with the stone closest to the center of the target gets a point.The other stones behind it don't count.Only one team can get points during an end.If your opponent occupies the button and you throw your last stone, you have to knock the other stone away to prevent them from scoring.The blue ring has a stone on it.There is a stone in the bullseye.Your team gets a point.
Step 7: You can score points by having stones close to the target.
A team can score up to 8 points.If you have several stones closer to the bullseye than your opponent, you will get multiple points.If your opponent's stones are out of the way, having multiple stones in the house doesn't count.Knocking out your opponent's stones is a big deal.If Team B has 3 stones closer to the center than any of Team A's stones, they will get 3 points.
Step 8: To see which is closer, measure the distance from the circle to the stones.
The colored rings help determine who scored.Stand directly over the stone and look for the edge closest to the center.Determine where the other stones fall in the house by doing the same thing.The edge of the stone has to fall within the house to count.There are no stones outside of the circle.To determine how far from the button the stones are, use a measuring stick.When they can't make a determination on their own, referees do this.The final decision on scoring issues is made by referees.The players have to measure the stones themselves because most leagues don't have officials watching them.
Step 9: After all ends are done, tally up your points.
Scorekeeping in curling is similar to baseball scorecards.Determine which stones are closest to the center after each end.The number of points scored should be recorded.Add up the points at the end of the game.The team with the most points wins.If you have a scorekeeper, they can keep an updated score after each end.
Step 10: The stone can be thrown towards the house.
At the beginning of your turn, crouch down by the stone.Let the stone go towards the target by pushing it forward.The goal is to get it in the house as close to the button as possible.The speed, force, and direction of a throw are all important.Your stone isn't likely to get near the button without a good throw.
Step 11: To help it along the ice, sweep the stone.
The curling players use brooms to sweep the ice.The players who did not throw the stone all do this.The amount of sweeping can change the direction of the stone.The ice of a curling sheet is not smooth.If a stone is moving on its own, it will hit the rough patches and spin towards the left.The ice is melted, allowing the stone to move more smoothly.To keep the stone moving, sweep the ice in front of it.
Step 12: The opposing team will be blocked by a guard shot.
Guard shots land in front of the house.The stones guard the house so opponents can't sneak in, so this kind of shot is easy to remember.It is a good way to protect your stones in the house.The guard is thrown in front of the blue ring.The stone may be knocked into the house if your opponent hits it.They have to either knock the stone away or go around it.The opposing team can get headaches from areas with lots of guards.Getting stones to the house involves understanding how guards will move when hit by a stone.
Step 13: Get a stone into the house with a draw shot.
Draw shots are used to get around guards.Straight shots can be good, but many involve curling the stone with great precision.Before you let go of the draw shot, turn the stone's handle.The sweepers should guide the stone around the guard and back to where you want it to end up.These are some of the hardest shots to implement and the most strategic.As stones fill the playing area, they become more important.If you have a guard in front of the house, aim your stone to the right.To spin the stone back towards the house, turn the handle clockwise.
Step 14: Remove guards from the playing area with a takeout shot.
Takeout shots knock the opposing team's stones out of play.Power and speed are what the stones are thrown for.If you want to knock your own stones out of the house, you have to take out shots.If your opponent has a guard in the button, you can take a takeout shot.Throw your stone with the right amount of power to hit your opponent's stone.Knocking out stones can be dangerous.It is easy to knock your opponent's stone into the scoring area.You can take your guard stones out of play.