Glossary of curling facts for kids

Curling is a fun sport played on ice. It's like a mix of shuffleboard and chess! To play well, teams use special words and signals. This article will help you understand some important terms used in curling. Knowing these words will make watching or playing curling even more exciting.

Understanding Curling Calls

The Number System: How Far Will It Go?

This diagram shows the number system used to call out how far a curling stone might travel on the ice. The tee line is removed for a clearer view.

During a curling game, you might hear players shouting numbers. These numbers are a secret code! They tell the sweepers and the skip how far a thrown stone is expected to travel. This system helps everyone on the team know what to do.

This number system is quite new. Many people say the famous Randy Ferbey team helped make it popular. They were one of the first big teams to use it. The numbers help players talk better about where the stone will stop. The skip can also tell the person throwing the stone how much power to use.

Here's what the numbers usually mean:

• 1 to 3: The stone is expected to stop in the free guard zone. This is the area in front of the house.
• 4 to 6: The stone will likely land in the rings just before the tee line.
• 7: This number means the stone is aimed right at the button. The button is the very center of the target!
• 8 to 10: The stone is expected to stop in the rings behind the tee line.
• 11: Sometimes, players use "11" for a stone thrown too hard. This means it will go right through the house and out of play.

This system makes teamwork much stronger. Everyone knows the plan for each stone.

Key Curling Terms

Rink: More Than Just Ice!

The word "rink" has a few meanings in curling:

• A Curling Team: Sometimes, "rink" means a whole curling team. For example, you might hear "the Manitoba rink" or "the Smith rink" (referring to the team led by the skip named Smith).
• The Building: A "curling rink" can also be the building where curling is played. This building holds all the special ice sheets.
• The Ice Surface: Less often, "rink" can be another word for a single ice sheet. This is the specific playing area on the ice.