What happens if a sweeper touches a stationary stone in curling?

First off, if the sweeper touches the stone before it has passed the hog line, the stone will be removed from play. However, if the contact occurs after the stone has passed the hog line, it is up to the opposing team's skip to decide whether or not the stone is removed from play.


What happens if you touch a stone while sweeping in curling?

Touching a moving stone: Between the tee line at the delivering end and the hog line at the playing end: If a moving stone is touched, or is caused to be touched, by the team to which it belongs, or by their equipment, the touched stone is removed from play immediately by that team.

What happens if you kick a stationary rock in curling?

If the opposing team touches a moving stone or causes it to be touched, all stones are allowed to come to rest, after which the team that threw the original rock reasonably considers where the stones would have stopped if the moving stone had not been touched.


What happens if you don't spin a curling stone?

It's clear that the curl is caused by rotation, since a stone that's thrown without rotation doesn't curl. But, in a game, the typical stone rotates only a couple of times during its long slide, and asymmetrical friction doesn't generate enough force to produce that much curl.

What's the 5 Rock rule in curling?

From the clubs to the world championships, curlers are adapting to the newest wrinkle in the sport this season. Rocks in front of the rings can't be removed from play until five rocks have been thrown in an end. Previously, the rule was four rocks in what's known as the free guard zone.


SCIENCE FRICTION: All About the Physics of Curling



Why do they brush the ice in front of the stone in curling?

Curlers sweep the ice to help the stone travel farther and straighter. Sweeping in front of the stone reduces friction and helps the curlers control the amount of curl the stone undergoes. The sweeping quickly heats and melts the pebbles on the ice leaving a film of water.

What is the hardest position in curling?

The Lead Position

In addition to their ability to open up the game with important shots, leads are usually the strongest sweepers on the team.

What is no tick rule in curling?

The "no tick" rule will be played at the 2023 Canadian men's and women's championships and in the playdowns to get there. The tick shot as a strategy emerged from the implementation of free-guard zone. Stones in front of the rings, or guards, can't be removed from play in an end until five rocks are thrown.


What does a curling stone cost?

Brand new curling stones cost between $500 and $900 each. Refurbished stones cost about $450 each, and used stones cost between $200 and $350 each, depending on condition and type of granite.

Why is there a battery in a curling rock?

Each curling stone is equipped with a heat sensor that can sense if a player releases the stone too late - past the hogline - for a violation. So, stones have batteries to power the sensor.

What is on the bottom of a curling broom?

Head / Brush Head: The plastic part of the broom at the end of the shaft that holds the pads in place is known as the brush head.