The Rules of Curling

Introduction

Curling is a fascinating game that is often referred to as ”chess on ice”. The game has its roots in Scotland in the early 16th century. Before the modern curling sheets were invented, players used old ponds, lakes, fields, or other natural icy surfaces for curling purposes. The name ”curling” came from the way players used to describe the motion of the stone. The stones, on the other hand, merely had a flat bottom and were inconsistent in size and weight. 

The first official curling club, the Kilsyth Curling Club, was founded in 1716 and still exists today. The club also built the first pond specifically made for curling, the Colzium. However, it wasn’t until 1838 when the first official rules of curling were created by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. The same club was also responsible for forming the International Curling Federation (ICF) in 1966, which still remains the main governing body of curling. 

Nowadays, with an estimated 1.5 million registered players, curling is one of the most recognizable winter sports around the world. Its biggest events include the World Championships, as well as different regional championships. Curling has also been a staple in the Winter Olympics since 1998 after being a demonstration sport three times. Wheelchair curling was also added into the Paralympics in 2006.

Object of the game

The object of curling is relatively simple. You must slide your team’s granite stones, also known as stones or rocks, into house center (button) at the end of a long strip of ice. The goal is to have your rocks closer to the center of the target than the opposing team. Of course, the other team has the same goal as they try to propel their stones closer to the target area or bump your stones away from it. 

Scoring in curling

A curling game consists of ten ends. An end, on the other hand, refers to a set of eight stones delivered by both teams. The team with the highest number of points after the last end is the winner. 

Similar to other boules sports like pétanque and bocce ball, once all stones have been delivered, the team closest to the button receives a point. Furthermore, any additional stone closer to the button than the opposing team’s closest stone scores an additional point. However, only stones that are in the house may score points. This means that the stone has to be inside the circle or hang over the edge of the ring. Because the stones have a rounded bottom, they do not have to make actual contact to the outer rim in order to be considered in the scoring. This type of shot is known as a biter. On the other hand, a blank end occurs if no points are scored.

If the score is tied after the last end, teams play an extra sudden-death end. The winner of the sudden-death end is declared the winner. 

Gameplay

A basic curling game is played two formats; 4 vs 4 and mixed 4 vs 4. In women’s, men’s and wheelchair curling, both teams may also have a substitute, also known as the Alternate. Before the game starts, both teams also designate a Skip (captain) and a Vice-Skip. The skip’s responsibility is to stand on the scoring end of the sheet and guide their team. When the skip is delivering the stones, the vice-skip takes over the skip’s duties. Additionally, teams also decide which team has the Last Stone Advantage, also known as the hammer. This is done by two players of each team, both of which deliver a stone as close to the button as possible. 

In regular team curling games, each player delivers two stones consecutively, while alternating with the opposing team. The first player to deliver is called the Lead, and the latter are known as the Second, Third, and Fourth. In most cases, the skip plays as the fourth position. One end is finished once all stones have been delivered. The winning team of each end loses their Last Stone Advantage, meaning they will deliver the first stone of the next end. A full match consists of ten ends. 

The most common curling shots consist of three main categories; guards, takeouts and draws. Guards are thrown in front of the house to protect your own stones from the opposing team’s shots. Takeouts are meant to remove stones from play and draws are delivered directly to the house to score points.

Modern rules of curling also have a free-guard zone and a four-rock rule to prevent uninteresting and predictable gameplay. The free-guard zone refers to the area between the house and the tee line. Stones in this area are called guards, and may not be removed from play out before four stones have been delivered. Hence, the four-stone rule. If a player accidentally knocks a stone sitting in this area before the fifth throw, the guard will be put back whereas the other stone will be removed. 

Curling games are always overseen by a Chief Umpire, whose main responsibilities include keeping track of the score, and making sure the game is being played according to the official rules of the World Curling Federation (WCF).

Delivery and sweeping rules in curling

Delivering a stone is done by sliding from the hack and releasing it before crossing the near hog line. If the stone is illegally thrown, it will be immediately taken off the sheet before it hits other stones or stops altogether.

Sweeping is also an integral part of curling. After the stone is released, two players from the same team may sweep the ice to increase the distance of the stone and decrease its curl. The team may sweep as long as the stone hasn’t crossed the tee line. On the other hand, the opposing team may sweep the ice after it crosses the tee line to prevent the other team from scoring any points.

Accidentally touching a stone with a broom or a body part is considered burning a stone. If this happens, the stones are usually removed or put back to their original places. 

Game time & intervals

Before the game starts, both teams have 9mins to warm up. Once the game has started, players are allowed a combined 38mins of Thinking Time to deliver all stones in a game. If the team runs out of time, they are forced to forfeit the game. Teams may also use two 60s timeouts per game. Additionally, there is a 5-minute break after the 5th end. 

If the game requires extra ends to determine the winner, both teams have one more 60s time-out and an added 5mins of Thinking Time. 

Mixed doubles

In mixed doubles, each team plays five stones and eight ends. Mixed doubles also start with two pre-placed stones on the sheet; the team with the Last Stone Advantage has a stone at the back of the 4ft circle, while the other team has a center guard stone in the middle of the sheet. Additionally, a blank end also changes the Last Stone Advantage. These rules help prevent the possibility of scoring six points in one end. Teams can also use a power play once per game. This moves the pre-placed stones to one of the sides, with the back stone against the tee line. 

Mixed games also have slightly different rules regarding the duration of the game and warming up. Both teams have 7mins to get ready for the first end, and the overall Thinking Time is reduced to 30mins per team. 

Due to having fewer stones per end, the lead player plays the first and fifth stone, while others play the second, third, and fourth stones. There are also wheelchair, and mixed wheelchair versions of curling, both of which have fewer ends and fewer stones to deliver per end.