It might look complicated to a beginner, but curling is based on fairly simple rules that you can learn quickly. These rules govern scoring, sweeping and the delivery of stones, as well as when you can remove an opponent's stones from play. You might not become an expert curler overnight, but knowing the rules will put you on the right path.
Scoring Rules
You will receive a single point for every stone that stops closer to the button than your opponent's, as long as the stone stays in the house. Since each team delivers eight stones per end, you can score a maximum of eight points in a single end of play. Only one team can score in a given end. When two stones come to rest the exact same distance from the button, neither stone will count.
Delivery Rules
Your stone must leave your hand before you reach the hog line, or else your shot will not count. You cannot waste time once your turn comes up, as you must deliver it within a reasonable time. You must make sure that you deliver only two shots per end, unless you have only three players on your team. If you shoot with your right hand, you must line up on the left side of the hack. Left-handed shooters must line up on the right side of the hack.
Sweeping Rules
Once your team's stone passes the closest tee line, anyone on the team can sweep it, as long as it stays in motion. Once the stone reaches the far tee line, however, only one player can sweep it. In addition, only the skip or vice skip can sweep an opponent's stone, although he must do so behind the tee line and cannot start until after the opponent has stopped sweeping.
Free Guard Zone Rule
In international play, any stone that stops between the hog line and the tee line at the playing end of the surface rests in the Free Guard Zone. You cannot move stones from the Free Guard Zone until the delivery of the fifth stone of the end. If you knock an opponent's guard out of the Free Guard Zone prior to the delivery of the fifth stone of the end, you will have to remove your stone from play and replace your opponent's. You can, however, bump these stones into another position, as long as you do not remove them completely.
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