Terminology
BACKLINE:
The line across the ice at the back of the house. Stones which are over this line are removed from play.
BITER:
A stone that just touches the outer edge of the circles.
BLANK END:
An end in which no points have been scored.
BONSPIEL:
A curling competition or tournament.
BRUSH:
A device used to sweep the ice in the path of a moving stone.
BURNED STONE:
A stone in motion touched by a member of either team, or any part of their equipment. Burned stones
are removed from play.
BUTTON:
The circle at the centre of the house.
COUNTER:
Any stone in the rings or touching the rings which is a potential point.
CURL:
The amount a rock bends while travelling down the sheet of ice.
DRAW WEIGHT:
The momentum required for a stone to reach the house or cirlces at the distant end.
END:
A portion of a curling game that is completed when each team has thrown eight stones and the score
has been decided.
GUARD:
A stone that is placed in a position so that it may protect another stone.
HACKS:
The foot-holds at each end of the ice from which the stone is delivered.
HEAVY:
A rock delivered with a greater force than necessary.
HIT:
A take-out. Removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with another stone.
HOG LINE:
A line 10 meters from the hack at each end of the ice.
HOGGED STONE:
A stone that does not reach the far hog line. It must be removed from play.
HOUSE:
The rings or circles toward which play is directed consisting of a 12-foot ring, 8-foot ring,
4-foot ring and a button.
IN-TURN:
The rotation applied to the handle of a stone that causes it to rotate in a clockwise direction and
curl for a right-handed curler.
LEAD:
The first player on a team to deliver a pair of stones for his/her team in each end.
OUT-TURN:
The rotation applied to the handle of a stone that causes it to turn and curl in a counter-clockwise
direction for a right-handed curler.
PEBBLE:
A fine spray of water applied to a sheet of curling ice before commencing play.
RAISE:
When one stone is bumped ahead by another.
ROLL:
The movement of a curling stone after it has struck a stationary stone in play.
SECOND:
The curler who delivers the second pair of stones for hi/her team in each end.
SHEET:
The specific playing surface upon which a curling game is played.
SHOT ROCK:
At any time during an end, the stone closest to the button.
SKIP:
The player who determines the strategy, and directs play for the team. The skip delivers the
last pair of stones for his/her team in each end.
SPARE:
An alternate player or substitute.
SLIDER:
Slippery material placed on the sole of the shoe, to make it easier to slide on the ice.
SWEEPING:
The action of moving a broom or brush back and forth in the path of a moving stone.
TAKE OUT:
Removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with another stone.
TEE LINE:
The line that passes through the centre of the house parallel to the hog line and backline.
THIRD, VICE-SKIP OR MATE:
The third player on a team to throw two stones in each end. Generally this player acts as the skip
when the skip is delivering his/her stones and assists with shot selection decisions.
WEIGHT:
The amount of force given to the stone during the delivery.
Terminology courtesy of the Canadian Curling Association.