The following Curling Tip can be found, along with many more, at a Canadian Site www.curlingzone.com. which is full of Curling information and links. Another clever site for demonstrated tips is www.curlingbasics.com
Mechanics of Curling - Delivering the Stone . ......Norm Danylo - Glenmore Curling Club
LINING UP / POSITIONING THE STONE / THE DELIVERY / General
By now, you must have seen quite a few deliveries; there’s the tumblers, the kneelers, the drifters, the wobblers etc. Some of these curlers can in fact deliver their stone accurately, but they are the exception.
Most curlers who consistently deliver their stone on the broom share certain traits and we would like to share them with you.
Skips are well placed to evaluate the accuracy of a curler’s delivery; when it is well done, the curler hardly appears to move since he is coming straight at the broom. Let us review the basics.
Before that, it is appropriate to disassociate the taking up of the stance from the act of cleaning the stone; it is very important to clean your stone, but it should not be a part of your position routine. When you get to your stone, do bend down, clean it and position it in front of your hack foot; then, start your positioning routine.
(OPTIONAL) STARE THE BROOM DOWN
The delivery comprises four movements: The Preparation, The Positioning of the left foot, The Push, and The Release.
The preparation
The preparation consists of positioning your body in preparation for the push. Since you have just bent down to grasp the stone, you must now raise your haunches, bring your left foot straight back as you also slightly pull the stone back to almost touch your right foot and shifting some weight backwards when you are making a take -out. Then you start to move the rock and your shoulders forward, and bring your left foot forward behind the rock. As of yet, you should not start your push.
The positioning
You are now in the act of bringing your left foot forward and shifting some of your weight forward also. You must now place the foot directly behind the stone as you prepare to push the stone forward.
At this point, the skips’broom, the centre of the stone, the left foot and the right leg should be on the same line, that is, the aiming line.
With your body aligned this way, it may be difficult to hold your balance; that is why most of us use a broom. You may see some of our curlers who do not have to use the broom to balance themselves, but they are just better than the rest of us.
The push
As you bring your left foot to be directly behind the stone, there should be a very slight pause; then all you do is push from the hack with your right leg; if you are lined up properly, you will be going directly at the broom and will not drift.
The Release
As you are going toward the broom, it is now time to impart the proper turn and release the stone to its target; do not feel compelled to hold on to the stone until you are at the hog line
If you effect the delivery properly, the skip will barely notice any movement or drift on your part; he will see you raise yourself and see the shift of the left foot behind the rock and suddenly notice that the stone is on its way.
Developing a good delivery is done with someone else who can tell you what he notices. There should be several members at your club who will gladly spend some time with you perfecting your delivery; you must seek them.
(If you would like more Tips in this web page please let Jim@HowwoodCurlingClub.co.uk know. thank you)