STL All Sports

The stones used now are standardized at 38 pounds, 36 inches in circumference and 4'/2 inches in height (maximum measurements). If a stone is broken during a game, no substitution is permitted. The player continues with the largest fragment.

Curling is played on ice, usually in an indoor rink. Each team is made up of 4 men. The "tee" lines are 38 yards apart; the total length of the rink is 42 yards. At each end is a "hack," or foothold, imbedded in the ice from which each player delivers his stones. Each player curls two stones alternately with his opponent.

B.J. Paulson, "skip" of the Wauwatosa CurlingClub of Wisconsin, describing the technique of play, wrote: "The curling stone is dished on both top and bottom. One side is sharp, for `keen ice,' the other side is smooth for 'slow ice.' A hole is broached through the center of the rock, with a square counter-sink at either end to receive the square head of a bolt, which passes through the stone and is screwed into a goose-neck handle. The stone is delivered by means of this handle.

"Bolt and handle can be removed and replaced quickly when it becomes necessary to `turn' the stone, depending upon ice conditions. "The player swings the stone back, clear of the ice much in the same manner as one who is delivering a Bowling ball and skims the surface of ice with a smooth follow-through. At the instant he releases the stone, the player gives the handle either an in-turn or an out-turn, which is accomplished by a twist of the wrist that gives the stone a one-quarter turn and imparts to it the `curling' action, which is nothing more nor less than a long curve. The amount of force put into the `shot' depends upon the condition of the ice and the orders of the `skip.'

"Each team comprises the lead man, who is usually the novice; the No. 2 man, who plays second; the No. 3 man, next to the 'skip' in proficiency, and the `skip,' or captain.

"The 'skip' always figures out the plays and designates with his broom on the ice where he wants the stone laid which is being played by his team member. He then calls for either an 'in-turn' or an 'out-turn,' a `running shot,' a `guard,' etc., holds his broom on the ice, the position of his broom designating the mark at which the player shoots. The 'skip' also calls for whatever 'weight' he thinks the play requires-that is, the amount of force to put into the stone as it is delivered, in order to stop at the point where the `skip' wants it laid.