Curling Rules for Beginners

For more than a decade now, curling has featured in the Winter Olympic Games and the game has become popular over the last few years. People of Scotland first used to play the game and it was the Scots who introduced it in North America. If you are a beginner, you need to know the curling rules so that you understand the game better. The game is played on a sheet of ice with granite stones being slid over it. Points are scored when these stones reach a particular point on the ice sheet and the team which has the most number of stones in this position wins the game.

Basic Curling Rules for Beginners

If you are new to the game, you should know the rules. The most important rule of the game is the size of the playing area. The playing area called the sheet is 142 meters length and 14 meters in width. The game is played with round stones and the players have to shoot the stones to a particular position of the ice sheet to score points. This position is called the house and more the number of stones placed on the house, more the points a team scores.

In a game of curling, there are 4 players in each team and each player of a team is given 2 stones to be shot. There are 8 or 10 ends (just like an innings) in a game and in each end, every member of a team shoots two rocks. Each team delivers the stones alternatively. As and when all 16 rocks are delivered the score is determined for that end. The position where the stone should rest to score points is called the house, which is a 12 foot circle. The center of the house is called the tee, and as per the curling scoring system, the final score depends on the number of stones near the tee.

Curling Rules and Etiquette

The first and foremost etiquette of curling is to arrive on time on the playing surface and being ready to start the game when the ice surface is ready. You need to be ready so that whenever your turn comes you are ready. Do not ever cross a player if he or she is in the hack ready to play. Whenever a player from the opposite team is in the hack, make sure you stand still. Once the opponent plays his stone, never move towards the center of the playing surface or the sheet. Make sure that the opposing team has a clear view of the shot. Never stand in or behind the house.

When a player from the opposing team delivers, if the skip stands on the house it's considered imprudent and so he should stand behind the house. Do not move behind the skip of the opposition or talk with members of your team, in short, don't do anything that may distract the opposition. Make sure that the surface of ice is not damaged by slamming the brush after delivery. Whenever your teammate is ready to slide the stone you too should be ready to act as a sweeper. During the game, the skip plans the strategies so don't argue with him. It's a tradition to shake hands after completion of a game, so maintain it.

Some Curling Tips

If you are new to the game of curling, you need to remember that throwing straight and the correct distance doesn't need a lot of force. It needs coordination, good balance, technique and a lot of practice. You need to properly warm up so that you reduce the risks of stretch or strain injury. Shoes with soft rubber soles should be worn so that you get maximum grip. Moreover, you need to be careful while moving over the ice surface, you are bound to find it too slippery at the beginning. Since the ice surface is very cold, it's important that you wear enough warm cloths. Moreover, warm and tight-fitting shoes are recommended or else your feet would get cold, and you may not be able to move them. You can wear trousers made out of stretch material so that they are lose enough and doesn't cause any limitation while moving.

You need to know the terminology and all the curling rules so that you can enjoy the game better. Hope this information has helped you enhance your knowledge of the scoring and its rules, and you would be able to understand the game better the next time you watch it on television.