Stick Curler PG Curler

Stick Curling

The below article was written for people who are playing with a stick on a regular four person curling team.

About the Stick Delivery

The use of a curling Delivery Stick is an alternative delivery method for players who may have issues with the traditional curling slide.  Delivery Sticks are acceptable in practically all curling games except for competitions that lead to Curling Canada national championships.  Curlers can participate in league games at the club level, there are recreational bonspiels, and competitive events for curlers who use a stick to participate in. There is a Canadian Stick Curling Championship.

Who should use a Delivery Stick?


The Delivery Stick provides an optional method of delivering stones for anyone who may have issues with the traditional slide.  There is no limit to who may use the device. Many will transition to using a Stick when they’ve sustained an injury or their flexibility is reduced.  
There is a misconception that the use of the delivery stick is tied to a player’s age.  This is simply not true. Older players may choose the Delivery Stick as their method for delivery because of the relative safety it provides versus sliding from the hack.
Also, Wheelchair curlers use the Delivery Stick as their only means of delivering stones.
The delivery stick is not however, limited to those groups.  It is an innovative way to introduce new players to the sport who may be apprehensive about trying the traditional sliding technique.   Anyone at any age or physical condition may choose to use the delivery stick.


Equipment


There are many variations of Delivery Sticks available.  Ultimately each player must find the equipment that personally suits them best.  Some of the variations include:

Rules


Curlers using a Delivery Stick need to be aware of the special rules surrounding use of the equipment, as this is important for the curler to understand before learning how to deliver with a stick.

*Excerpt from Curling Canada – Rules for General Play
Rule 19- Curling with a Delivery Stick (Curling Canada’s Rules for General Play)

  1. The use of a curling aid commonly referred to as a “delivery stick”, which enables the player to deliver a stone without placing a hand on the stone handle, is considered acceptable.
  2. The use of a delivery stick is not allowed in events leading to Curling Canada championships. Exception: Wheelchair Curling.
  3. If a player starts a game with a delivery stick, then that player shall use a delivery stick throughout that game.
  4. A player may not alternate delivery from the traditional hand delivery to a delivery stick or vice versa.
  5. If delivery begins from the hack, then players using the delivery stick must adhere to Rule 8 (1) and 8 (2) and, stones must be delivered along a straight line from the hack to the intended target broom.
  6. The delivery may also begin anywhere along the center line with a portion of the stone touching the center line prior to the delivery.  The stone must be delivered along a straight line from this position on the center line to the intended target broom.
  7. A stone delivered with a delivery stick must be released before it reaches the hog line at the delivering end.  Rule 8 (5).
  8. All other delivery rules apply.

Other delivery rules to note:

Safety


Like the traditional curling delivery, the Stick Delivery needs to be performed safely.  Injury prevention is key.
The following are key safety factors for use with the Stick Delivery.

How to Deliver a Curling Stone with a Stick This link covers below material with videos.


The Stick Delivery is very similar to the traditional curling delivery, and curlers should focus on building strong fundamentals using a stick – focusing on Setup, Forward Motion/Drive, Line of Delivery and Release.
Curling Canada Stick Video


Set-up


When using a delivery stick players should always use double grippers.  Using a slider with a delivery stick is not considered safe nor effective.
Before aligning the body to the target, it is helpful to clean the stone in a safe manner.  Whether a player is using the hack or not, the hack can be used to tilt the rock over so the bottom can be accessed for cleaning.  Once the sliding surface has been properly cleaned, the player can begin to set up for the shot.

Alignment Set up
– Delivering from the Hack

Once this initial set-up is complete, the player may step into the hack from behind.  This is both a safety issue and an aid to proper alignment towards the target.  The delivery stick is intended to be used with one hand and players must decide if they are going to throw right handed or left handed prior to the set up.

 
Set up – Delivering from the Hack

Stone “Grip”


Once the player has aligned themselves in their starting position with the feet directed to the target, the stone, which should already be connected to the delivery stick, can be put into its final alignment.

Forward Motion/Drive

Weight


The walking pace will determine the weight applied to the rock.  A faster pace will increase the weight, a slower pace will result in less weight applied.


Turns and Release

At all times during the forward movement, the gripped end of the delivery stick should remain close to the navel so that the stick is centered behind the bulk of the body.   
Consistent weight control comes from establishing a consistent walking pace during the forward movement.  Upon release this movement should not stop. Players should continue to walk forward and follow through after the stone is released from the delivery stick.  Stopping at the point of release is dangerous and it does not help players to maintain a feel for weight. Players are allowed to continue walking past the hog line as long as the stone has been released from the delivery stick prior to it reaching the hog line.

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