30 Must-Know Curling Terms, Phrases and Slang

Slide into the slick and strategic arena of curling with words that crackle like ice underfoot!

Picture this: rocks gliding, brooms sweeping, and your knowledge turning the tide from newbie to ace.

Grasp these 30 curling terms, and you’ll be calling the shots before the last stone’s thrown.

Are you fired up to talk like a curling champ? Let the games begin!

Must-Know Curling Terms, Phrases and Slang:

1. Bonspiel
2. Broom
3. Button
4. Draw
5. End
6. Freeze
7. Guard
8. Hack
9. Hammer
10. House
11. In-turn
12. Lead
13. Out-turn
14. Pebble
15. Rock
16. Sheet
17. Skip
18. Slider
19. Sweep
20. Takeout
21. Tee line
22. Vice-skip
23. Weight
24. Wick
25. Backline
26. Curl
27. Delivery
28. Hog line
29. Raise
30. Steal

#1 Bonspiel

A curling tournament or competition that typically lasts a weekend or longer, where teams play several games against various opponents. The term originated in Scotland and is a hallmark of curling culture.

#2 Broom

An essential piece of curling equipment used to sweep the ice in front of the sliding stone. Sweeping can reduce friction and help control the stone’s speed and direction, making the broom a strategic tool in the game.

#3 Button

The exact center of the curling house, marked by the smallest circle. Scoring depends on the stone’s proximity to the button, as stones closer to the button than any of the opponent’s are the ones that count for points.

#4 Draw

A type of shot in curling where the player aims to slide the stone into a specific location within the house without knocking out other stones. The draw is a skillful shot that shows finesse and control.

#5 End

A division of play in curling, similar to an inning in baseball, where each team throws eight stones, two per player, alternating with the opponent. One game typically consists of eight or ten ends.

#6 Freeze

A curling shot where a stone is delivered so that it comes to rest touching or very close to another stone, making it difficult for the opposing team to remove it without disturbing their own stones.

#7 Guard

A curling stone strategically placed in front of the house to protect scoring stones from being taken out by the opposing team. Guards are essential for defensive strategy, controlling the accessibility of the target area.

#8 Hack

The foothold from which players push off when delivering a stone in curling. Positioned at each end of the curling sheet, the hack provides stability and leverage for players to control their slide and the stone’s delivery.

#9 Hammer

In curling, the “hammer” refers to the advantage of throwing the last stone in an end. Holding the hammer gives a team the final chance to score or correct the end’s outcome, making it a significant strategic asset in gameplay.

#10 House

The house refers to the circular target area composed of concentric circles on the ice where curling stones aim to come to rest. Scoring is determined by the number of stones a team has closer to the center than their opponent’s.

#11 In-turn

The in-turn is a type of delivery in curling where the player twists their wrist inward, causing the stone to curl (or rotate) to the right for right-handed players and to the left for left-handed players.

#12 Lead

The lead is the first player on a curling team to deliver stones during an end. They are crucial in setting up the initial strategy with their shots, often involving guards and draws into the house.

#13 Out-turn

Opposite of the in-turn, the out-turn is a delivery method where the player’s wrist turns outward, making the stone curl left for right-handed players and right for left-handed ones. The curl’s direction is a foundational aspect of gameplay strategy.

#14 Pebble

Small droplets of water applied to the ice surface before play that freeze and create a rough texture. Pebbling reduces friction and helps control the curling stone’s speed and trajectory.

#15 Rock

Another term for a curling stone, the heavy, polished granite object players slide across the ice toward the target area, or house. Each player takes turns trying to position their rocks closest to the center of the house.

#16 Sheet

The specific area of ice on which a curling game is played. A standard curling sheet is about 150 feet long by 15 feet wide, carefully prepared to maintain optimal playing conditions.

#17 Skip

The team captain and strategist, typically throwing the last two stones of an end. The skip directs play, calling shots and strategies for the team, and often makes the high-pressure shots that can decide the game.

#18 Slider

Specialized footwear worn by curlers, featuring a Teflon or stainless steel sole. It allows for a smooth glide over the ice during delivery of the stone and is essential for precise shot-making.

#19 Sweep

A technique performed by players to influence the distance and direction of the stone by vigorously brushing the ice in its path. Sweeping reduces friction and can help to keep the stone moving straighter and further.

#20 Takeout

A shot designed to remove an opponent’s stone from play by hitting it with the thrown stone. Takeouts are a key strategic element and require accuracy to hit the target stone without disturbing other stones beneficially placed.

#21 Tee line

The line that crosses the center of the house, parallel to the hog line and backline. It is used as a reference point for shot accuracy, especially for draw shots aiming to stop near the center of the house.

#22 Vice-skip

The second in command of the curling team who assists the skip with strategy and often throws the third set of stones. The vice-skip also takes over the skip’s duties if needed and usually measures stones that are close to determine which is closer to the button.

#23 Weight

Refers to the force with which a curling stone is thrown; effectively the stone’s speed as it travels down the sheet. Proper weight is crucial for accurate stone placement, whether for long guards or precise shots into the house.

#24 Wick

A light contact or a glancing blow, where the moving curling stone just touches another stone enough to alter its trajectory. This tactical move requires skillful precision to utilize the stones in play to one’s advantage.

#25 Backline

The line at the back of the house in a curling sheet beyond which a stone must fully cross to be considered out of play. Stones that cross the backline are removed from play, affecting the strategy of each end.

#26 Curl

The trajectory a stone follows as it moves down the ice; it refers to the curved path caused by the spin of the stone. The amount of curl can determine the positioning of the stone and is a critical component of strategy.

#27 Delivery

The action of sliding the stone from the hack to the desired location on the sheet. A player’s delivery technique is fundamental to their ability to place stones accurately and consistently.

#28 Hog line

A line on the curling sheet a stone must completely cross during delivery to be considered in play. If a stone fails to cross the hog line, it is removed from the playing area.

#29 Raise

A shot where a delivered stone knocks another stone into a more advantageous position, usually closer to the button. This type of shot can be defensive or offensive, depending on the game situation.

#30 Steal

A term used when a team scores points while their opponent has the last-stone advantage (hammer) in an end. Stealing points is a significant shift in momentum and can often influence the outcome of the game.

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