Welcome to the Game
Never curled before? Perfect. You don’t need experience, fancy equipment or a rule book memorized before you walk through the door.
Curling Is Easier to Get Into Than You Think
Curling is a team sport played on ice. Players take turns delivering stones toward a target called the house while teammates sweep to help control the stone’s speed and direction.
The goal is simple: get your team’s stones closer to the centre of the house than your opponent’s.
The strategy can get wonderfully complicated later. On your first night, you only need to know where to stand, when it’s your turn and which end of the broom to hold.
What Do I Need?
What to Wear
Dress in comfortable layers that let you move easily. The rink is cool, but you’ll warm up once you start sweeping.
What to Bring
Bring a clean pair of indoor shoes with good grip. Running shoes are perfect when you’re starting out.
What We Provide
You don’t need to buy equipment before giving curling a try. Club equipment can help you get started.
What to Expect
Expect a little learning, a little sliding, a lot of sweeping and probably a few laughs along the way.
Curling in 60 Seconds
Two Teams
Two teams take turns delivering stones toward the house at the far end of the sheet.
Eight Stones Per Team
In traditional four-player curling, each player delivers two stones per end.
Sweep to Help the Stone
Sweeping helps a moving stone travel farther and can influence its path.
Closest to the Button Scores
After all the stones are played, the team with the stone closest to the button scores.
Then You Do It Again
Each round is called an end. Most of our traditional league games are played over eight ends.
The Four Positions
In traditional curling, a four-person team has four positions. Everyone throws stones and everyone has a job to do.
Lead
Throws the first two stones of the end and usually does plenty of sweeping.
Second
Throws the third and fourth stones and helps sweep throughout the end.
Third / Vice
Throws the fifth and sixth stones and usually helps the skip with strategy and scoring.
Skip
Calls the shots, directs the team and usually throws the final two stones.
A Few Things Curlers Just Know
Curling has a long tradition of sportsmanship. You don’t need to memorize a list of rules — these few basics will take you a long way.
Shake Hands
Teams traditionally shake hands before and after the game.
Be Ready
Be prepared when it’s your turn so the game keeps moving.
Stay Still During a Delivery
Avoid distracting a player while they’re getting ready to throw.
Good Shots Are Good Shots
It’s perfectly normal to compliment a great shot — even when the other team made it.
Keep the Ice Clean
Clean indoor shoes help protect the playing surface and keep debris off the ice.
And Then There’s the Social Part
Curling has always been about more than the score. Stick around after the game, get to know the other team and enjoy the company.
Want to See How Curling Works?
Sometimes it’s easier to watch than read. Curl Canada has some great resources to help you see the game in action.
Two Minute Guide to the Sport of Curling
A quick introduction to the basics of curling, including how the game works and what you’ll see on the ice.
WATCH THE 2-MINUTE GUIDELearn the Basics
Curl Canada also has short instructional videos covering delivery, sweeping, scoring and other curling fundamentals.
VISIT CURL CANADA ON YOUTUBEYour First Game Starts Here
You don’t need to know everything before you start. Find the league that fits you, register, and we’ll see you at the rink.
