With each new year, more and more diverse sports games appear. And they all have their own specific rules. And their entertainment is different. But this is precisely what attracts a large number of people who, over time, become fans of a particular sport. However, it should be noted that not all disciplines are able to enter the program of the Olympic Games. Curling was not only able to achieve this, but also became the official sport of the Olympics. In this review, we will talk about what rules are typical for this game, which managed to gain universal recognition from numerous fans. In addition, some historical moments of this interesting sport should be highlighted.
What can be said about this type of competition?
Curling is a kind of sports discipline that has been officially included in the program of the Olympics since 1998. However, the history of this contest began much earlier. Somewhere in the sixteenth century. Today, a large number of athletes from many countries of the world are engaged in curling. There is nothing strange in this, since the game has a pronounced competitive character and is able to attract the attention of even those people who have not previously watched it. That is why the rules of the game of curling have become of interest to many.
The term "curling", if interpreted from the English language, means "rotation". Currently, this is called a sports game, which is held on ice. The rules of the game of curling imply the use of such a special subject as a pins.
A bit of history: the emergence of sports discipline
A game arose in Scotland. It was this country that provided the opportunity for many other states to become more familiar with this sports discipline. Basically, curling has taken root where there are conditions suitable for it. After all, at that time ice was not poured on any specific areas. The fields were simple icy reservoirs of a natural nature. Officially, curling is a sport recognized in 1838 when a specialized club was opened. Five years later, after visiting the game by Queen Victoria, he began to be called accordingly - royal.
What is an Olympic sport like?
Although curling was included in the first Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix in 1924, it was not officially considered an Olympic discipline. He began to be called such only after 74 years.
Curling rules imply the use of a specially prepared field. And it must be flooded with ice. The size of the playing area is 45.72x5 meters. If you look at the field from above, then there is the opportunity to consider the markup by which the game itself takes place. An important part is the "house", which has the appearance of a shooting target. It is to him that athletes need to bring a pin. In addition, curling rules imply that the closer it gets to the center, the better it will be for players of a team.
Sizes of a sports apparatus
The skittle has the appearance of a round projectile. When creating it, material such as granite is used. The diameter of the stone should not exceed 91.44 centimeters. Height also has a fixed value and is 11.43 centimeters. The weight of a skittle can vary from 17.24 to 19.96 kilograms. A metal handle is attached to the shell in such a way that it is more convenient to launch it. The rules of the curling competition imply the presence of eight pins, 2 for each athlete of the team. In one kit with such shells is a brush, as well as a stand used to slip during the throw.
Necessarily need to pick up shoes. It is a pair of shoes that have the most diverse properties. One pair of shoes has a sliding sole, and the other, on the contrary, is non-slip. Of the technical accessories, athletes have only a stopwatch.
Dividing the game into separate periods
Curling, namely a match in this sport, is divided into individual game parts in the amount of 10 pieces. They are called the "end." As a result of the end of all parts, points are determined. Moreover, they will be awarded to a team of athletes who win the race. The second team, accordingly, is left without points. The overall result will be the sum of the points that were received for completing the individual stages of the game.
How to make the most accurate shot?
The rules of the game stipulate that there simply cannot be a draw. In that situation, if the teams received an equal number of points, they will be given an additional run. It is his result that will contribute to the final determination of the winner. You can win in competitions due to subtle calculation. The athlete is only required to accurately calculate the point at which to stop before making the throw. Of particular importance is the strength of the completed throw. Everything will depend on the skill of the player and how quickly the athletes cope with clearing the road in front of the projectile. This must be done so that he can get to a specific goal faster and more accurately.
Sizes of the field for the game
So, you should summarize what was written above, and highlight some more aspects, answering the question of how to play curling.
The length of the site should be 146 feet, or 44.5 meters. The width of the playing field is 14 feet 2 inches, or 4.32 meters. The target, called the house, has a diameter of 12 feet, or 3.66 meters. The projectile weighs 44 pounds, or 19.96 kilograms. In the manufacture of granite is used. It has a cylindrical shape, a flat surface with high sliding performance. There is a handle at the top of the pins.
What else can be said about this sports discipline?
What other curling rules are there? Two teams take part in the gameplay, 4 athletes each. The game is divided into periods independent from each other. There are 10 of them. During one end, and this is what is called one period of the game, teams take turns launching eight shells at a time. When playing a stone, the player must push off from the starting column and disperse the projectile by moving it on the ice. In this case, he must either achieve a complete stop of the pins in a certain place, or make sure that it knocks out the shell of the opposing team. Everything will depend on the chosen tactics. Other players on the same team help faster and more accurate projectile movement by brushing ice. They do this directly in front of the stone. In addition, due to such rubbing, they contribute to the adjustment of the movement of the pins.
When all the shells of both teams are played, the period will be counted. Only the pins that will not go outside the house will take into account the jury. The team with the projectile closest to the central part of the “target” will win one end. She will receive a point for each skittle, which will be as close as possible to the opponent’s stones in the middle of the house.
Additional period in the game that will help determine the winner
With the last throw, the team can get a very big advantage. Whoever throws the projectile first in the starting end will definitely be using the draw. In other periods, those players who lose in the previous end start to throw. If, at the end of the period, no stones remain within the target, then a tie will be counted. In the next end, the first team to throw will be the same team that started to drop pins in the previous game stage. That is why sometimes it is very advantageous to throw a shell, and not get at least one point.
The winner will be determined by the total amount of all points in all game stages. In the event that their number is equal, an additional period is designated, which is called extra-end. The winner of this period and becomes the winner of the entire game. Throw in the extra end will be the team that lost the previous one.
The popularity of the game is constantly growing.
On this, the question of what curling rules exist is fully considered. We hope that this review has helped you understand this sports discipline and understand what it is. In principle, there is nothing complicated and specific in this game. However, interest in it is growing stronger and stronger with each new day. And the addiction of people to sports only pleases.