The term “hog line” in curling originates from the game itself. In each end of the game, individual players of each team deliver their stones towards the target (called the house). The hog line is a set boundary that the stone must be released before in order for it to be considered valid in the game.
Any stone that does not make it across the hog line before coming to a stop will be removed from play. The origin of the name is thought to come from the traditional process of scoring the points in curling, which once required taking a “hoe” or “hog” to the stones in order to score points.
This practice has since been replaced by marking chalk lines for the points, but the term “hog line” stuck and has become a common phrase in the game of curling.
What do the lines in curling mean?
The lines, also known as ‘hog lines’, in curling provide an important boundary. In order to score, a curling stone must completely cross both hog lines, with the skip or vice-skip of the opposing team touching the button at the farther end.
If a stone doesn’t cross the far hog line, it is removed from play before any points are scored. The near hog line, also called the ‘back line’ or ‘tee line’ is also important. While stones do not need to completely cross this line, they must at least touch it in order for the throw to be valid.
Even if it is not touched, if a stone crosses this line, it is still in play. If a stone does not cross this line, the stone is removed from the game before any points are scored. This line also determines who has the closest stone at the end of the end for scoring purposes.
The line is also used to define the house, which is the target area for scoring.
What are curlers yelling?
When curlers yell in a game of curling, they are often shouting out instructions to their teammates. The yell is used to identify the direction of the throw, let the rest of the team know their objectives, and to help them understand the next move.
Common curling yells include “hurry hard”, “up! “, “go! “, “roll it! “, and “hog line!”. Usually, the skip (the team captain) will shout out the instructions, which can then be repeated by the rest of the team.
However, the rationale for the yell does not stop at communication; the game of curling is traditionally a fun and lively sport, and a good-natured yell can set the mood for a game, bring some levity to challenging shots, and help build team spirit.
What is curling slang?
Curling slang is a unique vocabulary of terms used by curlers to communicate on the ice and in the clubhouse. Slang is used to describe the game, the players, and the experience of curling. Some common curling slang includes: “Hurry Hard” – a call to teammates to put more effort into sweeping stones, “Hacky” – a misfire of a stone, usually due to the player losing balance, “Hit and Roll” – when a stone is thrown accurately but rolls to a different spot than intended, “Fudge” – when a player brushes a stone rather than sweeping it, “Bonspiel” – a curling tournament, and “Steal” – when one team scores points without throwing their last stone.
And the sport’s enthusiasm extends to having a colorful and expressive language.
What is a curling broom called?
A curling broom is an essential tool for the sport of curling. Curling brooms are used primarily to sweep or smooth out the ice surface to reduce the friction between the stone and the ice, allowing the stone to travel further.
Curling brooms are also used to adjust the weight or angle of the stone in order to better ensure that the stone reaches its desired target. A curling broom is sometimes referred to as a brush or a pusher, and is typically made from synthetic fibers with a wooden or synthetic handle.
The head of the broom is usually angled downwards in order to form an arc and allow easier sweeping, while the handle is usually left straight in order to fit comfortably in a curler’s hand. In addition to traditional curling brooms, special delivery aids such as delivery aids aids have been designed to help achieve better stone placement and shot selection.
Do curlers feet get cold?
Yes, curlers’ feet can get cold, especially when they are playing in a cold rink or out in the snow. The ice surface of the rink can get down to below freezing temperatures and the snow on the ground can often be bitterly cold.
Heat packs, toe warmers, and extra socks are all great ways to keep your feet warm while you curl. Hand and toe warmers are often available to purchase at curling clubs. Additionally, tracksuits, thermal tights, and extra layers of clothing can be worn to keep the feet and body warm.
Wearing two pairs of socks and thicker soled curling shoes, rather than socks and thin-soled shoes, can also significantly help with keeping the feet warm.
What happens if a curler hits a stone with their foot?
If a curler hits a stone with their foot, it is considered a breach of etiquette and is known as a “burned stone.” Burns are not penalized, but they can result in the stone being removed by the opposing team if they decide to do so.
This happens if the burn affects the direction, trajectory, or speed of the stone. However, the team that burned the stone has the right of last stone in the same end, meaning they get the last chance to score points in that end.
Any points scored in that end by the team that burned the stone will not count. Burns can also affect the house, the area of the ice where the four coloured rings are. It is considered a breach of etiquette to move the stone on the line of the house, but such burns will not be removed unless the position of the stone in the house is affected.
How much does an official curling stone cost?
An official curling stone typically costs around $500. This cost can vary depending on the type and size of the stone. Generally, a regulation size stone (17.5 inches circumference and 44 pounds) is priced around $500, while specialty stones such as “stones of destiny” for competition purposes can cost upwards of $1000.
Curling stones are made from Ailsa Craig granite, a unique type of granite found in only one place in the world – an island off the coast of Scotland. The process of making these stones is very time consuming, as the stone is cut, dried, and polished to the highest quality standards.
This labor intensive process is why curling stones are not the most cost efficient investment.
How do you say good luck in curling?
The traditional phrase used to wish someone good luck in curling is “Good curling!” or “Good luck, keen stone!” The term “keen stone” is a traditional rhyming phrase in the curling community to wish someone a successful game, as a “keen” stone is understood to describe a stone that is sliding accurately along the ice, allowing the players to make successful shots and ultimately win the game.
What is a curling sweep terms?
A curling sweep is a technique used in the sport of curling that is used to influence the direction and speed of a delivered curling stone. The sweeper guides the stone by using a broom or brush to affect the ice in front of the stone as it is delivered, leading the stone to curl less and travel farther and straighter.
Sweeping increases the friction between the stone and the ice, resulting in a smoother ride. In addition to this, the extra friction generated by sweeping heats the ice, causing it to rise slightly, further reducing the amount of curl in the delivered stone.
When sweeping, players usually stand at an angle facing the direction of the shot, with their feet evenly balanced on the ice and their body pressed against the broom. The back foot should be pointing in the same direction as the stone while the front foot should be turned slightly outward.
The angle of the body should be adjusted as needed to keep the stone on line.
How do you read the curling score?
Reading and understanding a curling score can be tricky, especially if it’s your first time doing so. Curling is a popular Olympic sport, and each team’s score is tracked by pointing to the number of stones, or rocks, it has gotten closer to the target than the other team.
Here is an overview of how to read a curling score.
At the beginning of an end or round of curling, each team has eight stones that they will attempt to slide down the sheet of ice towards the target, called the house. A score is given when a stone clusters around the target.
The sheet of ice, in the 12-foot circle centered on the target, is divided into rings or circles starting at the center for the bull’s eye and working outwards, which equals 4 points per stone, and 35 points in total.
Points are awarded based on how close a stone is to the target. The team that has more stones closer to the target than the other team is the one awarded the points. For example, if Team A has three stones closer to the house than Team B, then Team A gets three points.
If a team has stones in the same ring as their opponent, no points will be awarded.
The team with the most points each end wins the end. The team with the most points overall in an 8 or 10 end game, wins the game.
At the end of each end, a scorecard is written, which marks the amount of points each team has scored. It should look something like this: Team A: 2, Team B: 4. This scorecard indicates that Team B scored four points and Team A scored two in the end.
To keep track of the total score over the course of the game, the scorecard is used. The current score will be the total of all previously ended ends combined.
Overall, reading a curling score is easy once you know what to look for. With a bit of practice and observation, you’ll be able to keep track of how your team is doing in no time!
