Types of Curling

The game of curling calls for players to send a rock down a sheet of ice and into a scoring area at the other end called the house. You score one point per end for every rock that you have closer to the center of the house than your opponent. A few different types of curling exist, catering to people from all walks of life.

Men's and Women's

Men's and women's curling utilize teams of four, which break down into four positions. The lead throws the first two rocks in an end, followed by the second, the third and the skip. All players except for the skip take turns sweeping the rocks as they head down the ice. You will not sweep as a skip, the book "Curling for Dummies" explains, because you must call the shots that the other players make, similar to a catcher in baseball.

Juniors

Those under age 21 participate in junior curling events. Organizers do this to ensure that players can compete against those with similar experience levels, since experience remains a vital part of curling. Some junior tournaments use smaller rocks, because younger players may have trouble using the standard 44-lb. stones. These smaller rocks weigh 20 lbs. and make it easier for young people to participate in the sport.

Mixed Doubles

In mixed doubles curling, your team will have one male and one female player. You will also play with different rules, since each team only throws five rocks per end, but you will place other rocks in the playing area before you throw your first rock. One player must throw the first and last rock of the end, while the other player will throw the second, third and fourth rocks of the end, according to the World Curling Federation. You can switch the position in which you throw after every end, as strategy dictates. Both players can sweep the rock once the shooter releases it.

Wheelchair

Each team has four players in wheelchair curling. You must deliver your stones from a stationary wheelchair, with your feet off the ice but your wheels on the ice. You can use your hand or an approved delivery stick when throwing the rock, but you must release it before reaching the hog line. You cannot sweep in wheelchair curling, so you will not have a chance to alter the trajectory of your shots.