Buzz
How Curling Scoring Works (Plus Tips and Strategies)
At first glance, curling may seem puzzling, but the objective is actually straightforward: your team's stones need to be closest to the 'button'—the center of the house, the bullseye on the ice. If your stone is the closest, you earn at least 1 point, and you gain an extra point for each stone closer to the center than the opponent's nearest stone. With each team alternating turns to throw their stones, the game strategy becomes intricate as each 'end' progresses. Read on for a comprehensive guide on how curling scoring works and the strategies that will help you win a match. Happy curling!
Essential Information to Remember
- Teams alternate throwing 16 stones towards the house on the opposite end of the ice. The team with the stone closest to the button at the end of the round wins that end.
- The team scores 1 point for the stone closest to the button's center.
- Each additional stone closer to the button than the opponent's nearest stone earns 1 more point.
- A full curling match typically consists of 8 to 10 ends. The team with the most points at the end wins the game.
Steps to Score in Curling
Scoring Overview
Identify the stone closest to the button. Curlers throw stones (disk-shaped rocks with handles) towards a target known as the 'house' at the opposite end of the ice. The smallest circle in the house is the 'button.' The stone closest to the center of the button is referred to as the 'shot rock.' Typically, players judge which stone is closest by eye. The center of the button is marked by the tee line, and the goal is to find the stone closest to this point. The team that throws the closest stone wins the end.
- If both teams have a stone nearly equal in distance to the button, they may use a micrometer (often called 'the stick') to measure precisely. However, this is rare, as teams usually agree on the closest stone.
- If there are no stones in the house, it's called a blank end, and no points are scored.
Identify the second closest stone to the button. The stone closest after the shot rock is often called the '2nd shot rock.' Similar to the shot rock, players will usually agree by eye which stone is second closest. They may walk around the house to get a better angle if necessary.
- If a micrometer is needed to measure the shot rock, then the next stone automatically becomes the 2nd shot rock.
Count points for stones closer than the opponent's second closest stone. The winning team earns additional points for each of their stones that are closer to the button than the 2nd shot rock. Here are a couple of examples to clarify:
- If Team Red has the shot rock and 6 stones in the house, and Team Yellow's closest stone is just inside the smallest circle, Team Red only scores 1 point since their shot rock is the only stone closer to the center.
- However, if Team Yellow's closest stone is in the outer circle, and all of Team Red's stones are closer to the center than Yellow's, Team Red scores 6 points.
Hand over the hammer to the losing team. The team that loses the end gets the advantage of throwing the last stone in the next end, called 'the hammer.' If there was a blank end where no one scored, the team that had the hammer keeps it for the next end.
- Sometimes, it's strategic to let the opponent win an end to gain the hammer, especially when the score is tight toward the end of the game.
- The hammer is typically decided by a coin toss or similar method at the start, but some tournaments assign it in advance.
- If a team manages to score without the hammer, it's called a 'steal.'
Playing an End in Curling
Set up 2 teams with 4 players each. In traditional curling, there are two teams, each consisting of 4 players. While there is a variation called 'mixed doubles,' we’ll focus on the standard format for now. Each player has a specific role on the team:
- Lead: Throws the first 2 stones; typically a strong sweeper and adept at throwing guards.
- Second: Throws the 3rd and 4th stones; works well with the lead in sweeping.
- Vice: Takes over the skip’s role while the skip is throwing; proficient in all types of shots, especially draws.
- Skip: Throws the final stone, often deciding the score; leads the team’s strategy.
Take turns throwing (sliding) stones down the ice sheet. When it’s your turn, crouch down with your back foot against the 'hack' (similar to a track starter’s block). Push off from the hack and lunge forward while releasing the stone before it crosses the near 'hog line.'
- Typically, the thrower adds a slight twist to the handle as they release, causing the stone to curl along the ice—giving the sport its name.
- Ensure no part of your body crosses the near hog line before releasing the stone, as that would disqualify it.
- The stone must reach the far hog line to stay in play. If it doesn't, it is removed from the ice. Mastering the exact power needed to control your stone takes a lot of practice!
Sweep your team’s stones when you’re not throwing. For each stone, two teammates position themselves on either side of the ice, just past the near hog line. As the stone approaches, they begin sweeping the ice in front of it with their brooms. Sweeping decreases friction, allowing the stone to slide more smoothly toward its desired position.
- The skip (or vice if the skip is throwing) directs the sweepers based on their view of the stone’s movement. This is when things can get loud! If the skip wants aggressive sweeping, you’ll hear 'Hard! Haaaaard!'
- Never touch the stone with your broom or any part of your body during sweeping, as this 'burns' the stone, and it’s removed from play.
- Once the stone crosses the tee-line, the opposing team can start sweeping it in an effort to move it away from the intended spot.
Discuss strategy during each end. The skip leads the strategy for each end, with input from the other players as needed. There is usually a lot of communication between shots, with the skip using their broom to aim the throw. The main types of shots in curling are:
- Guards: Light shots aimed at the front of the house, designed to block the opponent and protect the shot rock (a stone near or on the button).
- Draws: Precise shots aimed directly at the house (and hopefully the button), meant to stay in position.
- Takeouts: Heavy shots intended to strike an opponent's stone and knock it out of play.
Keep playing until all 16 stones have been thrown. Teams alternate turns, with each player throwing 2 stones. The skip stays at the house, overseeing the strategy until it's their turn to throw.
- Once the end concludes, the teams review the positions of the stones and calculate the score. While disagreements can arise if two stones are nearly identical in position, the scoring is usually decided quickly.
Playing a Full Curling Match
Switch the playing direction after each end. If you’ve noticed, there’s a house at both ends of the ice sheet. If teams had to pass stones back and forth every end, the ice would quickly wear down. Instead, teams switch direction after each end to continue play (this is why it's called an 'end').
- The game continues in the same manner, only now you're throwing in the opposite direction.
Score tallying after each end. Only one team can score in any given end, but the total score accumulates throughout the match. Once each team has thrown their 8 stones, determine the shot rock and second shot rock, then tally the points for the end.
- Sometimes a stone might just be barely touching the house (referred to as a 'biter'). While the stone’s edges may not actually contact the house, it still counts if it crosses the outside line and is closer than the second shot rock.
Play through 8 to 10 ends. A typical competitive curling match lasts for 10 ends, though the losing team can concede early if the score gap is too wide. In smaller regional tournaments or leagues, matches may be limited to 8 ends.
- Time limits can also play a role. If a match is timed, the time limit will be communicated beforehand. When time expires, the current end is usually completed before the match is officially over.
Decide the match winner. The team with the most points at the end of the game is the winner, as is the case in most team sports. If both teams are tied, extra ends may be played to break the tie and decide the victor.
- Ties can also be resolved using 'skip stones.' Each skip throws a draw shot, and the stone closest to the button wins. The skip's team that throws the closest stone is declared the winner of the match.
Scoring Rules and Template
Curling Rules
Scorekeeping Card Template for Curling-
Curling is typically played without referees or officials. It is often referred to as a 'gentleman’s game,' where sportsmanship and mutual respect are paramount. Players are courteous to each other, even in the most competitive of situations.
-
If you're curious about trying curling, search for your city's name along with 'curling club.' Many clubs offer 'learn-to-curl' programs that introduce newcomers to the sport.
