For 2016-2017, our representatives are as follows:

OCA Representatives

Women's Representative: Judy MacLellan
Men's Representative: Gerry Hawkins
Youth Programs Representative: Leigh Whitcomb

TCA Representative

Chris Marino

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(adapted from Wilf Linzmayer's lesson)

Since there is very little information about this method of delivery, I developed this basic lesson plan and it has been used very successfully with all levels of curlers. Adapt as you see fit.

• Wear a non–slip gripper on each foot.

• Position in the hack is the same as regular delivery but standing.

• The curling stick is simply an extension of your arm.

• For the in-turn, delivery position is at 11:00 o’clock (not the normal 10).

• For the out-turn, delivery position is at 1:00 o’clock (not the normal 2).

• Place the stone on a line from the CENTRE of your body to the brush.

• Place the curling stick on the handle of the stone. Remember here that the curling stick is simply an extension of your arm.

• Keep your delivery arm reasonably straight as you move forward.

• Walk forward at an appropriate speed to deliver the stone with the “speed” (or weight) that the skip has requested – always on the line to the brush.

• The stone must leave the curling stick before the stone touches the hog line as per the rules.

• Continue walking forward as a follow through, after the stone has left the curling stick.

• For an In-Turn, keep the handle of the stone at 11:00 o’clock until you get four feet from the point where you want to release the stone. Then slowly turn the handle of the stone to 12:00 o’clock over the last four feet.

• For an Out-Turn, keep the handle of the stone at 1:00 o’clock until you get four feet from the point where you want to release the stone. Then slowly turn the handle of the stone to 1:00 o’clock over the last four feet.

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Sliders are slippery. Ice is slippery.
Step on the ice with your gripper foot.
Never step onto the ice with your slider foot.
Step off the ice with your slider foot.
Never step off the ice with your gripper foot.
Your slider foot should be: LAST ON, FIRST OFF.

Managing The Risk While Curling (from www.smartrisk.ca )

Curling has become a popular winter sport among Canadians of all ages. But like all sports played on ice, the risk of falls is increased. SMARTRISK offers some tips on preventing fall-related and other injuries while on the sheet.

Look First

• Curling sheets are always busy with activity: rocks being delivered, sweepers following rocks, people walking back and forth. Before you step onto the ice take a look around and take note of the sheets being used and the experience and potential injury risks presented by the other players.
• Falls often happen when a curler is stepping on or off the ice. Always step on the ice with your gripper foot first; never step on with your slider foot first. When you step off the ice, always step off with your slider foot first. Hold onto the boards or use your broom or brush for better balance.
• Ice conditions can change from one day to the next. Note how slippery the ice is when you first step on, and use extra caution if necessary.
• Keep an eye out for stray rocks, and prevent rocks from going onto another sheet.
• Keep your feet on the ice. Walk or slide; never hop or run.

Wear the Gear

• Clothing should be warm, comfortable and allow movement. Thin gloves may help to prevent blisters while sweeping.
• Make sure that your shoes provide good traction on ice. Be sure that your slider and gripper or shoes are clean and dry before stepping on the ice.
• You can use your broom or brush to help keep your balance and avoid falls, both when you’re getting on and off the ice and while playing.
• Use your broom or brush to stop the rocks. A rock can have more momentum than you may realize, and if you use your hand to stop it, your fingers can be pinched between it and another rock. If you use your foot to stop a fast moving rock, you can lose your balance and fall.

Get Trained

• Curling courses and clinics will help you how to enjoy the game to the fullest and teach you the skills needed to avoid slips and falls.
• If you’re new at curling, take some time to get used to standing and moving on the ice. Don’t get overconfident, and remember that some patches of ice may be more hazardous than others.
• If you’re sweeping and are having trouble keeping up with a fast shot, stop and let it go. With practice, you’ll learn to keep up with faster shots without risking a fall.

Play Sober

• Keep focused on the game. Things can happen very quickly in curling, and your fellow curlers will appreciate you being “in” the game.
• Standard rocks weigh 42 pounds and add strain to your back, legs, knees, arm and shoulder when thrown. If you already have an injury, or if it throwing the rock becomes painful, don’t play.
• Illness and alcohol can affect your balance and the effects will be much more noticeable on the slippery ice. You should avoid playing if your balance is impaired in any way.

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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.

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Toronto Curling Assocation (TCA)

Ontario Curling Association (OCA)

Curling Canada

Grand Slam of Curling

Curlingzone

World Curling Tour

Ontario Junior Curling Tour

 

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Aim

• Before you begin your shot, take a moment to visualize the line between your foot and the broom.
• Before you begin your shot, check to see that your hips and shoulders are square and level.
• Before you begin your shot, check to see that rock is in fact on the line between your toe and the aim point. Many people place their rocks directly on the middle red line; this line goes between the two hacks, and thus lines up with neither of them.
• When you shoot, keep your hips and shoulders square and level.
• When you are ready to release the rock, don't undo everything you have accomplished by giving the rock an extra push with your arm.
• Release the rock cleanly, with a feather touch, don't flick it to either side.

Delivery

	The delivery starts with the curler in the hack. The feet are a few inches apart, slider foot slightly forward, weight on the hack foot. The shoulders and hips are level and square to the broom. The rock lies on an imaginary line between the curler's hack foot and the broom (not the red center line painted on the ice).
	Next, pull the rock straight back to the toe of the hack foot, move the slider foot straight back, and transfer weight to the slider foot as the hips rise.
	To begin the kick-off, transfer weight back to the hack foot, and slide the slider foot onto the imaginary aiming line.
	Push out from the hack, and slide on your slider foot. The hack foot should begin to trail behind you; the back knee should not touch the ground in theory, but worry about that later. The hips should now be low to the ground, and the back fairly straight up and down. The shoulders and hips should remain level throughout Lastly, release the rock without pushing it with the arm.

Release

When a rock is thrown, it curls (hence the name curling). You can control in which direction the rock curls by placing spin on the rock as you release it. Your skip will indicate which direction the rock should turn by holding one arm up. As you begin your shot point the handle of the rock in the same direction as the skip's arm.

The OUT-TURN	The IN-TURN
Start at 2 o'clock, Release as rock passes through 12	Start at 10 o'clock, Release as rock passes through 12

The release is described as being similar to releasing someone's hand after a hand shake. The rock should slip lightly from the tips of your fingers. The spin is light and slow. You should not have to "force the rock" to spin.

Weight and Timing

Weight comes with practice. In time you will learn how hard to throw a given rock.There is often time before games to throw a few practice rocks, and doing so will make a world of difference.

An additional problem you must face, is that "draw weight" is not the same from day to day, sheet to sheet, or even from shot to shot. Thus, it impossible to find one weight that will consistently drop a rock on the button. This makes it hard to learn your weight and you should practice, practice, practice.

As a result curlers "time" the ice.

There are many system, and many variations. What is important is that a given ice time equals a certain stiffness of ice. In the most common system a rock is timed in seconds, from when it crosses the first hog line until it stops. If it stops on or near the tee line, that is the ice time. A low number is stiff ice, a high number is slick ice.

Here are some examples:

18: Frosty ice. Very stiff, becomes hard for some to get rocks to the house.
23: "Normal" ice. Often found at Leaside mid game.
25: Slick ice. Rock barely has to be thrown, sweeping can keep a rock going almost forever.

Learning your weight, is really learning where will a rock go with a given push, on a certain type of ice.

Example 1: Practice draws on 18 ice, if you remember it the next time you see 18 ice you will have an advantage, but shoot those draws on 23 ice, and the shots will bounce off the boards.

Example 2: Remember draw weight from a game where the ice was 23, you will do well on average Leaside ice, but try that same weight down the frosty edges, or after a fresh pebble, and you are guaranteed to hog.

Some curlers don't believe in timing, but even these curlers understand what kind of ice they are playing on. Most of them have simply curled so long that they can "feel" or judge the ice times based on how their rocks responded to their shots. Often they still talk about how the ice is running in terms of ice times, even if they never used a stopwatch.

The moral of this story: Don't try to just remember how hard you threw and also remember what kind of ice you were throwing on. Even if you don't time anything yourself, take a note of what others recorded for the ice you played on.

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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 cleaned your stone first.

In no way should you disturb a player in the hack or during 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, even if you are the next shooter. Do not stand at the back of the hack - after you shoot, head to the hogline to wait until your opponent releases the rock, then head in to get your rock and get set up in the hack.

Stay out of the way of opposing sweepers.

Sweepers should be on the sidelines, alert and ready to sweep immediately, if called upon. They should stay with the stone all the way to the house, sweeping or not. Once the rock has stopped move to the sideline and walk back.  Do not block the centre of the ice, as the other skip and shooter are visually communicating to each other and you will block their view of each other.

When in the house, skips and thirds should keep their broom heads off the ground 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.

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(From Ontario Curling Association)

Curling is a game requiring hand/eye co-ordination - a game of skill, strategy and luck but above all, it is a game of fun. It is a game that can be played by both males and females from the age of 8 to 88. It can be recreational or competitive, depending on how much time you have to devote to the sport.

The only personal equipment required is a pair of curling shoes, a brush and warm, comfortable clothing. The shoes have a special slider on the bottom of one shoe and a soft rubber sole called a gripper on the bottom of the other shoe. Brushes are either made of synthetic material or of hog or horsehair.

Each team has 4 players, called Skip, Third, Second and Lead. The Skip is the captain or the leader of the team. The Skip plans the strategy for the team and stands in the far house holding his/her brush to tell the team where to aim their rocks. The Lead throws his/her rocks first, then the Second throws his/her rocks. The Third throws his/her rocks next and holds the brush when the Skip is throwing rocks. It is the responsibility of the Thirds to settle on the score at the completion of each end by looking at where the rocks are lying and to mark it on the scoreboard.

Curling is played on a sheet of ice by sliding rocks from one end to a target, called the house, at the far end. When each team has taken its turn, an end has been played. The teams turn around and deliver the rocks back - and keep doing this until many ends have been played. The number of ends varies depending upon the amount of available time and the level of competition - most games last 8 ends and take two hours to play. Each player, beginning with the Lead, delivers two rocks in each end, alternately, until all 16 rocks have been delivered, 8 by each team.

The curling rink is long and narrow with a house at each end. The ice is special pebbled ice, which makes it easier for the rocks to slide. The rocks are made of granite and weigh approximately 44 lbs. but with the new no-lift delivery, they are not difficult to throw. Little rocks weighing half as much are available for young children. The rocks used during a game have two different colours of handles to allow each team to know which are theirs.  

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 sixth 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 sixth 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.

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