The Curling School

At the advanced or competitive level, the curling team becomes more than simply a collection of four individuals. Since curling is one of the only true team sports (everyone on the team has some responsibility on every shot), a proper "fit" at each position is essential.

Although there are many components to great teams, there are four key elements to building a great team. Listed below are four key points when building a team. They are listed in priority order.

1. All players are comfortable with the position they are playing. This means a comfort level with mechanics of the position, but most importantly the positional hierarchy (playing lead or second) is in no way a reflection of their skill level or their value on the team.

2. All players have similar releases and release points.

3. All players throw the rock on the same "line of delivery".

4. All players recognize the value of team communication, sweeping and positioning systems.

Elements number two and three can be overcome by playing and practicing together. Element number one is probably the most important and is responsible for many teams not staying together for more than a couple of years. "Skip syndrome" means that more than one player on the team thinks they should skip.

Each position on the curling team has a certain profile. When searching for team members or analyzing an existing team, keep the following profiles in mind.

The lead:

Responsibilities: The lead is responsible for setting up the end. In most cases, the results of the lead rocks determine the tactical approach to any given end. In many cases, the outcome of the end is a direct result of the leads shots. Once the lead has thrown both rocks, the lead's responsibility is to be a supportive teammate for the others and to become one of the core sweepers.

Profile: The lead is the type of person that fully understands the role of the first player. In the past, the lead has usually been recognized as the least experienced player or the least skilled player on the team. This may be the case on a league team, but at the competitive level the lead may be as skilled and experienced as the other players on the team. The difference is now that the lead clearly recognizes the significant role that is expected of him or her. Leads generally throw draw shots with a few takeouts now and then. Pick a lead that has a fluid, all-body delivery, which results in very consistent draw weight.

The Second

Responsibilities: The second's primary responsibility is to maintain the tactical initiatives developed by the skip and set up by the lead. There are a wider variety of shots at the second position. The second often is asked to make the first offensive or aggressive move. This could be the first come-around of the end. Playing the free guard zone rule, the second is usually the one to "get under" first, meaning the first player to draw behind a guard or guards. On the other hand, the second may also play the role of clean-up person depending on how the lead performed. If the lead missed one or two shots, the second may be called upon to clear the area with heavy hits or double take outs. The second should have the ability to throw heavy weight take-outs while still being able to aim properly (hit the broom).

Profile: The second, like the lead, is the type of person that fully understands the role of a team player. Since the shot-making requirements are broader than the lead, the second must possess a well-rounded set of shot-making skills. The second is the position that is the least recognized in the overall scope of the game. This person must realize that this position is by no means a glamorous one. If a cheerleader were present on the team, it would be a perfect fit at the second position. Pick a second with strong power generating (long foot delay) potential. The delivery must still be fluid in the other categories for consistent draws.

The Vice Skip:

Responsibilities: The vice is called upon to make every type of shot known. From guards to peels, from freezes to doubles. The vice skip must have the skills to throw any type of shot at any time. The vice is often asked to make the "kill" shot. This is the shot that seals the end. In addition to shot-making skills, the vice must have excellent knowledge of strategy, house management and posse's good spatial skills for line calls. This is the most difficult job on the team because the vice is expected to make flawless sweep calls on the skip's rocks. Remember, the vice only calls sweeping on only two shots per end. In most cases, the vice is the most well rounded player on the team.

Profile: The vice skip must also be a true team player. Because their skill level parallels the skip, they must support and have confidence in the skip as the team leader. They must fully understand that, even though they might be the best shooter on the team, their role as vice is critical. Pick a third with few delivery problems. Any major problems will result in limited success.

The skip:

Responsibilities: The skip's role is to provide overall leadership and strategic direction to the team. The biggest responsibility of the skip is to "close" the end. This could be the final execution of the tactics developed for the end. On great teams, the skip is called upon to throw maintenance shots like guards, open takeouts, open draws etc. However, in many cases the skip is called upon to make key offensive shots like come-arounds, freezes, hit and rolls, and four foot draws under pressure.

Profile: The skip must have a stabilizing influence over the rest of the team. Even if the skip is not the best shooter on the team, he/she must be able to calmly execute the final shots. After the skip throws, the end is over. Because of this, the pressure of any given shot may be extremely high. The team must have the confidence that the skip will close the end (and sometimes the game) successfully.

Obviously, team dynamics are an important part of a team's success. There is no guarantee that four great shot-makers will make a great team until they have become a cohesive unit with similar goals and expectations.

Any player that doubts the others in the positions will immediately become the catalyst for failure.