Strategies

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

Strategies – General Principles

One of the important aspects of curling is essentially the strategy chosen by the skip and his or her team. Strategy is a series of decisions and shots made to reach a goal. A curling team will generally opt for a general game plan, but the strategy shall be adapted to each end based on the results achieved.

Strategies can be divided into two general categories:

Offensive

The team will attempt to count points by putting many stones in play. The use of guards, come-around draws, freezes or raises will be preferred. The Five Rock Rule is very useful for teams with this type of strategy.

Although this type of strategy can bring you vital points, it also comprises a certain level of risk that needs to be evaluated since the opponents may also profit from the stones in play.

Defensive

The team will attempt to limit as much as possible the chances for the opponents to count points. Take-outs or unprotected draws in the house will therefore be privileged to keep the game as open as possible.

Strategies – Natural Concepts

To master the various curling strategies and to know how to use them requires experience. However, certain concepts are developed quite naturally.

For example:

• At the beginning of the game: caution
• With the last stone: use this advantage to count points
• Without the last stone: steal the point by complicating the opponent’s task on the last delivery
• In the lead: protect or accentuate the lead
• Behind: catch up to your opponent

Strategies – Influencing Factors

Curling strategies are numerous and complex and depend on many factors: