Curling Terms

The largest circle in the house with a diameter of 12 feet, or 3.7 meters. A stone must be within or touching this circle to be eligible for scoring.

The circle in the house with a diameter of 4 feet, or 1.2 meters, surrounding the button. Scoring stones usually end up in this area.

The circle in the house with a diameter of 8 feet, or 2.4 meters, typically not painted but visible as the space between the 12-foot and 4-foot rings.

A substitute player registered with a curling team. The alternate can replace a team member if needed but typically does not play.

The end of the curling sheet where the first stone is played in an end. The game alternates between the away sheet and home sheet.

The area of the outermost ring (12-foot circle) behind the tee line. Stones in this area are often not scoring stones.

The section of the innermost ring (4-foot circle) located behind the tee line. Stones here are closer to the center and more likely to score.

The part of the second ring (8-foot circle) that is behind the tee line. It's closer to the center but still not in the prime scoring zone.

Some kind of material placed around the outside of the house to stop stones.

A term referring to the team's third and skip players.

The line across the ice at the back of the house. Stones that touch this line are removed.

A stone that just touches the outer edge of the house, barely in scoring position.

An end when no one scores because not stones are in the house. A team who might only score one point with a takeout could intentionally knock out the opposing stone and their own, so they can retain the hammer in the next end in the hopes of scoring multiple points next round.

A lightweight takeout thrown with enough speed to reach the boards at the back of the house.

A curling tournament, often with several teams competing over a few days. (pronounced bahn-shpeel)

Slang term for the last stone thrown in any end. Also known as the hammer.

The Canadian Men's National Championship.

A broom-like tool used for sweeping the ice in front of the moving stone to influence its path and speed.

Accidentally touching a stone while it's moving. The opposing skip can choose to remove it or let it stay where it stops.

The very center of the house, often marked with a small circle. It's the prime target in curling.

A guard that curlers aim to land in front of the house near the center line.

The line that runs perpendicular to the sheet, right down the middle for the full length of the ice.

A shot that just barely hits another stone and takes it out.

Sweeping lightly in front of a stone to remove any foreign items on the ice, so it maintains its current momentum and direction

A shot that curls behind another stone.

A guard that is placed in front of the house on either side of the center line.

A stone that is in a spot where it counts for points when the end concludes.

The path a stone follows as it travels down the ice. It curves, or 'curls', due to the rotation of the stone and the ice conditions.

The end of the sheet from which the players are releasing the stones.

The team that is currently in control of the play, who are taking the shot.

The act of sliding the stone down the ice towards the house. It involves a specific technique and stance.

When you have a sheet of ice where the sides are slightly higher than the center.

A stone that has been moved to a new position due to another stone's impact.

A shot that removes two opposing stones from play in one throw.

A shot intended to come to rest inside the house or near a specific target, not for removing other stones.

A pre-game contest determining which team gets the hammer (last stone) in the first end, based on closest-to-the-button shots.

The amount of force needed for a stone to reach the house or a specific area within it.

The circle in the house with a diameter of 8 feet, or 2.4 meters, typically not painted but visible as the space between the 12-foot and 4-foot rings.

A segment of the game, similar to an 'inning' in baseball. Each team throws eight stones in an end, after which points are scored.

An additional end played to break a tie at the end of regulation play, similar to overtime.

A condition where stones tend to drift in a specific direction due to uneven ice.

The player who throws the last two stones for a team in each end, typically the skip.

The area between the hog line and the house where stones cannot be taken out until the fifth stone is thrown. If a delivering stone knocks out a guard protected by the rule, the delivering stone is removed from play, and the guard is put back in its place.

A precise draw that stops right in front of or next to another stone, making it hard to remove.

The lead and second players on a team, typically responsible for sweeping and initial stone placement.

Ice surface buildup that slows stone movement and speed.

A stone placed to protect another stone, making it difficult for the opponent to hit directly.

The foothold used by a player to push off when delivering the stone. It's located at each end of the curling sheet.

The force required for a stone to reach the hack at the other end of the curling sheet.

The last stone thrown in an end. Having the hammer is an advantage as it allows for the final play, potentially changing the score.

The part of the stone gripped by the player; also refers to the rotation applied to the stone when thrown.

Describes a stone thrown with too much force, likely to travel beyond the intended target.

Slow ice conditions where stones require more force to reach the target.

A takeout shot aimed at removing an opponent's stone from play.

A takeout shot where the curler's stone removes an opponent's stone and then rolls to a different position.

A takeout shot where the thrown stone removes an opponent's stone and remains in its place.

A stone that stops before reaching the far hog line, which is then removed from play.

A foul that occurs when a player fails to release the stone before it crosses the near hog line.

Refers to the line 21 feet from the tee before which the curler must release the stone. Otherwise the stone is removed from play.

A stone removed from play because it did not cross the far hog line.

The target area consisting of concentric circles where points are scored.

A command shouted by players to instruct teammates to sweep harder and faster.

A phrase used to indicate mild approval or acceptance of a proposed shot or strategy, suggesting it's a decent option though not necessarily the best.

A shot that hits a stone off the center line, which causes the curler's stone to come back towards the center

A rotation applied to the stone by turning the hand away from the body. For right-handed players, it causes the stone to curl left to right, and for left-handed players, to curl right to left.

Ice conditions where stones glide faster and farther with less effort, often preferred for skilled play.

A pre-game contest determining which team gets the hammer (last stone) in the first end, based on closest-to-the-button shots.

The player who delivers the first two stones of each end, setting the stage for the subsequent play.

Describes a stone thrown with too little force, causing it to stop short of the intended target.

An instrument used to determine which stone is closer to the button when it's too close to call by eye.

A stone currently in motion on the ice, either from a delivery or after being struck by another stone.

A stone that is thrown inside the intended line of delivery, i.e. between where the skip pointed with their broom and the target.

A situation where players aim their shots away from the expected line of delivery due to unusual ice conditions, to adjust for such conditions.

A stone delivered without any rotation, leading to unpredictable and often undesirable movement. Kind of like a knuckleball in baseball.

A takeout shot where the thrown stone hits an opponent's stone directly in front and stays in its place.

A rotation applied to the stone by turning the hand in toward the body. For right-handed players, it causes the stone to curl right to left, and for left-handed players, to curl left to right.

Small droplets of water sprayed on the ice surface to create a textured layer that helps stones to curl.

A powerful takeout shot designed to remove stones from play, often used to clear guards, open up the house, or to blank an end.

When a stone's trajectory is unexpectedly altered due to debris or irregularities on the ice surface.

Rounds or stages in a tournament where teams compete to advance to the next level or the finals.

A narrow gap between two stones, just wide enough for another stone to pass through.

To gently tap a team's own stone towards the house or a better position, using another delivered stone.

A shot where one stone is bumped ahead by another to a more strategic position, often towards the house.

The skill of analyzing and interpreting ice conditions to accurately predict stone movement.

A command from the skip telling sweepers to stop sweeping and cleaning immediately, usually because the stone has enough momentum.

The concentric circles painted on the ice at each end of the sheet, used to define the scoring area or the 'house'.

1. A team of curlers. 2. The specific area of ice where a curling game is played.

Another term for a curling stone, the granite object players slide across the ice.

The lateral movement of a stone after it makes contact with another stone, often a strategic part of a shot.

The spin given to a stone during its delivery, affecting its trajectory and the amount it will curl.

A very slight touch by a moving stone on another stone, altering its direction.

A shot where a delivered stone hits a guard and drives it back onto other stones.

The part of a curling stone that makes contact with the ice, crucial for the stone's movement.

The Canadian Women's National Curling Championship.

A tool used to smooth the ice surface in curling, typically done in conjunction with pebbling

The player who delivers the second pair of stones for their team in each end. Often the team's primary sweeper.

The second-closest stone to the button in scoring position.

A traditional wide brush used for sweeping the ice for any foreign items.

The specific area of ice on which a curling game is played. Length is 146 feet to 150 feet or 44.5 metres to 45.7 metres. Width is a minimum of 14 feet 2 inches to a max of 15 feet and 7 inches or 4.3 metres to 4.7 metres.

In a hit, this term refers to the stone that is being thrown.

The stone closest to the button at any point during an end.

The team captain, responsible for strategy and often throws the last stones. When it's not the skip's turn, he/she typically stands at the opposite end of their teammates and uses a broom to point out where the shot should be delivered. Then he/she directs the sweepers as the stone is in motion down the ice.

The forward motion of a player as they glide along the ice to deliver the stone.

Slippery material on the sole of a curling shoe to aid in delivery.

A gentle release of the stone with less rotation, enhancing its curl.

A team's alternate or substitute player.

A stone thrown with rapid rotation, which will have limited curl.

A draw shot that lightly touches another stone on its side, moving both sideways but staying in play.

A strategy to spread stones across the house to avoid a takeout of multiple stones on a subsequent shot by the opposition.

Slang for socializing after a game, often with drinks. Many curling clubs include bars, one of the sport's many charms!

Scoring points in an end without having the last-stone advantage, or the hammer

The circular granite stone with a plastic handle on top that is used in curling.

Ice conditions where stones have minimal curl.

A stone released without any rotation.

To brush the ice in front of a stone to influence its speed and direction. Sweeping the ice helps the stone travel farther and straighter. It melts the frozen pebbles, leaving a film of water, which reduces friction and helps minimize the stones curl.

Ice conditions that cause stones to have a pronounced curl.

A shot that removes another stone from play.

A shot that lightly pushes another stone towards the back of the house.

The center point of the house, marked at the intersection of the center line and tee line.

A line that crosses the house horizontally, dividing it into front and back sections.

Refers to the amount of contact with a stone in a takeout shot; 'thick' means hitting more of the stone, 'thin' means less.

The allotted time for a team to strategize during their game. Typically 38 minutes in aggregate for a game per team.

The player who delivers the third pair of stones in each end. Typically the vice-skip, who directs the skip during their turn.

The third-closest stone to the button after all stones have been played.

A light tap on a guard stone to slightly alter its position but not remove it from play, often to avoid violating the Free Guard Rule.

A shot that is thrown closer to the centerline than intended.

The area of the 12-foot circle nearest to the tee line.

The area of the 4-foot circle closest to the tee line.

The area of the 8-foot circle closest to the tee line.

A takeout shot that removes three opposing stones from play. That's an incredible shot!

An official responsible for overseeing the game and ensuring rules are followed.

A command to stop sweeping, to pick brooms "up" off the ice, usually given by the skip.

The player assisting the skip, often involved in strategy discussions.

The force applied to a stone during delivery.

A shot where the stone lightly touches another, just enough to alter its path.

A stone delivered beyond the intended line.

A stone that travels unsteadily, often due to an uneven release.

A shot that fails because it inadvertently hits another stone.