How to Score a Curling Match

The sport of curling is almost like a combination of several different games. It is played on ice. There is a running thrust, as the players dive forward to release their stones. The rounds are divided into ends, and the players aim for a target to get points.

Moving the Stone across the Ice

In one sense, curling is similar to ice hockey. Players sweep in front of a stone, helping to maneuver it across the ice with brooms. Their goal is to get the stone to the intended target. Hockey players are a lot rougher, and they actually hit the puck with their sticks. But the idea of moving around on the ice to help an object reach its goal is the same.

Releasing the Stone

To release stones, players must kick off from the hack. This is a brick that has been frozen in place at the back of the lane. After pushing off, the player carefully twists his stone by the handle to aim it left or right. As he releases the stone, it slides down the ice, much like a bowling ball. The sweepers then come onto the ice, and furiously sweep in front of the stone, to help guide it to the house. The house is the intended target.

The Score Board

Curling has its own unique score board. The score board has 3 rows of numbers on it. The actual score is located in the center row. The top and bottom rows are used to calculate how many points each team made in an end. Ends are like baseball innings. Players take turns alternately throwing their stones down the ice. When all stones have been played, the vice skip, or third player of each team, adds up the points and awards them to the respective team.

The Team

Each team has 4 players on it. Each player has 2 stones to throw. The lead player throws his stones first. The second is the team member who throws after the lead. The vice skip is the third player on the team. He is responsible for throwing third, and keeping score. He also signals directions to the skip, or fourth player when he is throwing his stones.

The skip is the team captain. He positions himself at the opposite end of the lane to direct his teammates. With a broom in his hand, he points to the intended target, and directs the strategy of the other players on his team. It is his job to signal the thrower, as well as the 2 sweepers, on how to get the stone closest to the house.

The Target

The house looks like an oversized bull's eye. There are 3 large rings that encircle a center, or button. Each ring is 2 feet larger in diameter than the one inside of it. Players score points by getting their stones inside the house. Each team tries to get their stones closest to the button during the ends, or rounds.

Calculating the Points

When all 16 stones have been thrown, the vice skips of each team calculate the points for that end. Only 1 team is allowed to score per end, so the vice skips must agree on who wins the points given. The stones receive 1 point each for being in the house. The team with the most stones closest to the button usually gets the points for that end.

A blank end is scored when players are unable to get any stones in the house. The team that scores in a given end gets to go first for the next round. Curling games have 10 ends, which take about 15 minutes each to play. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Curling is a courteous sport. Players shake hands before and after play. They also abide by the Curling Code of Ethics. This code dictates honor and sportsmanship on the ice. While players enjoy the thrill of winning, they are more interested in art of playing.