Hammer, Power Play and More: Common Curling Terms ...

To help with that, we’ve compiled a quick glossary of terms that you are likely to hear during curling broadcasts on NBC 5, USA Network, and Peacock.

4-Foot Circle:

At its most basic level, the “4-foot” is the innermost ring in the house, and is typically red in color. It surrounds the “button.”

The next ring out, which is usually white, is called the “8-foot,” and the ring outside of that, which is typically blue, is the “12-foot.”

Button:  

Essentially, this is the center circle, or the bullseye, of the house. The team with a stone closest to the button earns points at the conclusion of each end.

Center Line:

This line is oriented vertically down the length of the sheet, moving directly through the middle of the button.

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.

Team USA’s curling member Matt Hamilton talks about the rising popularity of curling in the US

Ends:

Each curling match is divided into a set number of “ends,” which function like periods or innings.

In mixed doubles, there are eight ends, while in the men’s and women’s tournaments, there are 10 ends.

Each team also has a set number of stones that they get to throw during each end. In the men’s and women’s tournament, each player throws two stones, for a total of eight stones per team per end.

Guard:

The “guard” is a stone that is placed in front of another stone to help protect it from being hit by the opposing team. These can either be placed prior to an end beginning, or can be thrown during the end to protect other stones.

Hack:

The “hack” is the raised foothold, similar to those used in track and field, that is used by the athlete to push off before a delivery.  

Hammer:

The team that gets to throw the last stone in a given end is said to have the “hammer.” When a team scores points in an end, their opponent gets the “hammer” in the next end.

Team USA’s curling captain John Shuster talks about the feeling he got while carrying the US flag during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

Hog Line:

There are two horizontal lines on the ice known as “hog lines.” The one nearest the person throwing the stone marks the point where the stone must be released. The one closer to the house marks the point that a stone must reach in order to remain in play after it is thrown.

House:

The house is the area beyond the far hog line where points can be scored. It includes the concentric circles around the button.

Power Play:

For more information, please visit kenuo，UHMWPE Land Curling Lanes.