I will always try to give you the turn that is the easier to make your shot. As soon as you have the rock lined up with the broom ( brush) let it go. Your follow through should end with your hand in the hand shake position.
The follow threw after the stone is released
Awesome's Game Plan
On normal ice if I give you a stone and a half of ice and indicate T-line weight, you should hit the stone on the opposite side I'm holding the broom ( or brush ) if you are able to execute the shot called. The plan is to hit and role behind cover. If there is no cover, the plan is to come to the stone and use it for backing. To win the game and keep the opposition from getting a big end the plan is to place our stones in front of the T-line while moving their stones to the back of the house or out. We have to keep our stones in play in front of the T-line. Don't make it easy for the opposition by throwing your stones through the house. You make a wall at the back of the rings even if you miss both of your shots if your stones stay in the house. Don't be 10 to 20 feet light on a take out. It is much better to end up in the house.
This page was last updated on: September 1, 2008
Control the Path to the Button
We want to control the path to the button. That means our stones on that path instead of opposition stones. If they have a stone on the path, we put a stone between that stone and the button or remove their stone from the path. The more stones we have on that path the greater the control we have of the outcome of the end.
Pay Attention
Tell your team mates that you believe each and everyone of them can make the shot called. Pay attention to every shot played and store that information for when your turn comes. It's not enough to make your shot. You have to leave the opposition a difficult shot. Pay attention to the score. We may have to lose an end in order to win the game. If we win every end, the opposition can't win the game.
Our Game Plan
If the opposition has two stones in the house, we will play the front one to either get the double or roll in front of their back one. If we have the only stone in the house, we will put another in the house. If we have two or more stones in the house, we will guard them. The idea is to take advantage of the opposition misses while limiting our misses so they can't take advantage of us.
The only time you will have to throw more than T-line weight is when you have to come through a port. Sweepers will sweep to insure getting through the port and insure we don't knock one of their rocks in the house. If a rock needs sweeping the first person to know it is the shooter. Make sure every stone thrown reaches the far-end hog line. If you watch every rock thrown, you should not make the mistake of sweeping a rock through the house. Sweepers should call out the weight so the skip will have a better idea of when to ask for the sweepers to sweep.
Think Positive
You are not going to try to make the shot, you are going to make the shot. The skip is only as good as the team in front of him. I want to come up with two or more of our rocks in the house and have to throw a guard to protect them if the other team has last rock. If we have last rock I want to be able to add to the total. I know you guys can make that dream come true. Try to keep the front open so your skip has a path to the button.
If you didn't throw enough weight for your stone to reach the hog line without help, cheer your sweepers until you know it is a lost cause or they get it over the hog line. All our stones must have enough weight to be between the far-end hog line and the T-line. With practice we will have all our stones between the front 12-foot ring and the T-line. Our resolution is to throw the required weight to make our shots.
Need Correct Weight to Make Our Shots
Awesome's Game Plan
The game plan dictates that you win the game by scoring two or more with last rock and hold the opposition to a single when they have last stone. Win the game by scoring crucial points with the hammer. If we are behind late in the game or I think the " Skip " of the other team is weak in reading the ice, we will try to score when we don't have the hammer.
Be a Complete Team
Don't be a team that can only win from being in front on the score board at the end of the fifth end. No matter how good you are, there are times when it won't go well for five ends and we need to pull it out of the fire. Learn to win from up or down and then you are a complete team.
Awesome's Game Plan
Our game plan is to play two draw ends for every hitting end because I feel we are better when we curl T-line weight or less. There are three variables that might change the normal way I play the game:
One: Playing conditions (ice and rocks)
Two: How our opposition is playing
Three: How we are playing
If you have a set game plan, then you must also be able to alter it, depending on these three varialbles.
Play to Your Strengths - Play away from Opposition's Strengths
Some teams like to hit everything, some draw around everything, some teams play whatever the opposition is playing. The only answer is to play to your strengths, if you feel you are stronger, or play away from your opposition's strength, if they happen to be good hitters, drawers, etc.
If one of the three variables forces you to play a different game, you must be able to play that game in order to be successful. Hitting teams should be able to play the draw game and draw teams, the hit. Most draw teams have to learn to be more patient. Hit teams can draw. They just have to stop panicking and stay cool, because there are six rocks in play..
How to Handle the Three Variables
One
Playing Conditions:
When the rocks are bad, the percentages forces you to play the hit game. When the ice is heavy at the start of the game but picks up once the pebble breaks in, then it would be wise to stay away from finesse until that point. In summary, play the finesse game only when conditions are good; when conditions are bad, be patient and hit.
Two
The Opposition:
When you are outgunned (playing a team that is stronger) you must gamble. Use lots of rocks in play, lots of guards and draw, draw, draw. When you are playing a weaker team, it only makes sense to keep it simple and wait for the open easy misses you know are coming.
Three
Our Team
When a team member is in a slump, you must alter your game to play around him. Keep it simple until he has finished shooting. Why put pressure on your teammate when he is struggling? It is importantant to give him a chance to gain back his confidence.
Don't give up until you run out of rocks
Head up, shoulders square, sliding foot slightly outward, backend low, and trailing leg straight with back foot turned out
Lead and Second please stay between the two hog lines when the opposition team is delivering their stones. Your Skip has enough on his mind without worring about you doing something to upset the opposition team or him. If you see something that you think would help your team, tell the Mate. He will make the decision on passing it on to the Skip or not passing it on to the Skip during the game. Only talk to your Skip if he asks a question. Know all the signals the Skip is giving to your team. Don't ask him to change his call.
Gerry, Bob, Pat, and Angela visited another world, China.
Yes! the Skip is the Boss. He runs the show.
Listen to your skip and you will quickly get the curling basics. Also read "Curling for Dummies" to get the curling basics.
If you find you are better with one turn over the other, practice the turn you are the weaker at until you can throw one turn as well as the other. Don't ask your skip to give you only inturns. It is OK to let him know you are better at either turn. However, you have to be able to throw either turn.
