Curling Lingo 101

Curling, like most sports, has it’s own terminology. This can be daunting for new curlers, so we’ve decided to put together some basic terminology for you here below. Be sure to study hard so you sound like a pro, even if you don’t look like when you throw.

TERMDefinition
BACKLINEThe line across the ice at the back of the house. Stones which are over this line are removed from play.
BITERA stone that just touches the outer edge of the circles.
BLANK ENDAn end in which no points have been scored.
BONSPIELA curling competition or tournament.
BRUSHA device used to sweep the ice in the path of a moving stone.
BURNED STONEA stone in motion touched by a member of either team or any part of their equipment. Burned stones are removed from play.
BUTTONThe circle at the centre of the house.
COUNTERAny stone in the rings or touching the rings which is a potential point.
CURLThe amount a rock bends while travelling down the sheet of ice.
DRAW WEIGHTThe momentum required for a stone to reach the house or cirlces at the distant end.
ENDA portion of a curling game that is completed when each team has thrown eight stones and the score has been decided.
GUARDA stone that is placed in a position so that it may protect another stone.
HACKSThe foot-holds at each end of the ice from which the stone is delivered.
HEAVYA rock delivered with a greater force than necessary.
HITA take-out. Removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with another stone.
HOG LINEA line 10 meters from the hack at each end of the ice.
HOGGED STONEA stone that does not reach the far hog line. It must be removed from play.
HOUSEThe rings or circles toward which play is directed consisting of a 12-foot ring 8-foot ring 4-foot ring and a button.
IN-TURNThe rotation applied to the handle of a stone that causes it to rotate in a clockwise direction and curl for a right-handed curler.
LEADThe first player on a team to deliver a pair of stones for his/her team in each end.
OUT-TURNThe rotation applied to the handle of a stone that causes it to turn and curl in a counter-clockwise direction for a right-handed curler.
PEBBLEA fine spray of water applied to a sheet of curling ice before commencing play.
RAISEWhen one stone is bumped ahead by another.
ROLLThe movement of a curling stone after it has struck a stationary stone in play.
SECONDThe curler who delivers the second pair of stones for his/her team in each end.
SHEETThe specific playing surface upon which a curling game is played.
SHOT ROCKAt any time during an end the stone closest to the button.
SKIPThe player who determines the strategy and directs play for the team. The skip delivers the last pair of stones for his/her team in each end.
SPAREAn alternate player or substitute.
SLIDERSlippery material placed on the sole of the shoe to make it easier to slide on the ice.
SWEEPINGThe action of moving a broom or brush back and forth in the path of a moving stone.
TAKE OUTRemoval of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with another stone.
TEE LINEThe line that passes through the centre of the house parallel to the hog line and backline.
THIRD, VICE-SKIP, OR MATEThe third player on a team to throw two stones in each end. Generally this player acts as the skip when the skip is delivering his/her stones and assists with shot selection decisions.
WEIGHTThe amount of force given to the stone during the delivery.