Balance - Part 2

Sections:

Ethics, Equipment and Conduct

Introduction to Sliding

Balance – Part 1

Balance – Part 2

Delivery – Three Step Technique

Delivery – Five Step Technique

Grip, Rotation and Release of a Rock

Position of the Rock for a Three or Five Step Delivery

Delivery with a Stick

Sweeping

Sweepers’ Roles and Responsibilities

Rules

Roles and Communication Between Players

Sliding – Traps to Avoid

Turn and Release of the Stone – Traps to Avoid

Different Shots and Signals

Timing

Strategies

Strategies – Continued

In Part 2, we continue to practice balance while sliding without a rock. Items 10 and 12 should be done as if the player is holding a rock.

Five Step Delivery Technique

1. Approach the hack from behind.
2. Place the non-sliding foot in the hack, toe at approximately 2-6 cm of the end of the hack.
3. Step forward, sliding foot beside the non-sliding foot in heel-toe position (about 30 cm apart) so as feet are parallel and offset to allow a stable and comfortable position.
4. Squat down.
5. Position the arm holding the rock and the one holding the broom or stabilizer. The arm holding the rock should be in front of the body, comfortably extended, the elbow in front of the sternum. The arm holding the broom or stabilizer is extended.
6. Hips should be raised so that the back is parallel to the ice.
7. Slide the sliding foot behind in reverse heel-toe position, i.e. the toe of the sliding foot is 6-8 cm behind the foot in the hack. The sliding foot should always be beside the hack, never behind it.
8. At this point, hips should move at the same time as the foot. Hips should always be directly above the sliding foot.
9. The player should take a small pause or hesitation once in the reverse heel-toe position. During this brief pause, approximately 80% of the body’s weight should shift to the sliding foot.
10. As the sliding foot changes position, the hand holding the rock should also be in motion. it should slide backwards, directly in front of the hack foot, without, however, touching this foot’s toe.
11. Weight is then shifted again to the hack foot and the player thrusts with the leg of the hack foot (the shift between the sliding foot and the hack foot is what generates a good push, allowing the player to deliver rocks with different weights: draws, take-outs, etc.)
12. The hand holding the rock moves forward.
13. Move the sliding foot forward.
14. Slide with the rear leg extended as much as possible.