Curling is a winter sport that is played on a long, narrow strip of ice called a "sheet." The modern version of curling originated in Scotland in the 17th century. A curling sheet is between 146 and 150 feet long and between 14 and 16 feet wide. Curling was added as a full Olympic sport at the 1998 winter Olympics. Curling uses finesse, precision and is relatively easy to learn.
Step 1
Organize two teams of four players per team to begin the game. Each player delivers two stones per "end," and most games are played to eight ends. A curling end is similar to an inning in baseball.
Step 2
Curl two stones for each end, alternating shots with your opponent. Push off the platform, known as the "hack" with the stone in your hand and release it before you reach the hog line. Try to land it in the "tee" or center of the circle on the other end of the sheet. The team who has a stone closest to the center of the circle after each end gets one point. Only one point is awarded for each end.
Step 3
Sweep in front of the stone to help it slide straight according to directions from the skip when you aren't delivering the stone. You can sweep the whole way for your own stone and only when the stone reaches the tee line for the opposition's stone.
Step 4
Measure which team's stone is closest to the tee after all the stones have been curled for each end. Count one point to the team whose stone is closest to the center. The closest stone must end up six feet from the "tee" or closer to be considered for a point. Otherwise, no points are awarded for that end.
Tips and Warnings
- The scoring area is called "the house" and is painted with circles that are 12 feet in diameter. Curling stones are made from a special kind of granite and weigh about 42 lbs.
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