The Game is played between two four-member teams who use stones with different colored handles. Each game consists of ten ends, which are similar to innings in baseball. During an end, each team member alternates throwing stones toward a circular target area, called the house, the center of which is approximately 93 feet away.   Only one team scores points per end.  The team with their stones closest to the center of the target area, called the button, gets one point for each stone between the button and the opposing teams nearest stone.  After each end is completed, play is switched to the house at the other end of the sheet. 

The Free Guard Zone is the space between the hogline and the tee line, excluding the house (see diagram, next page).  No stone lying in this zone may be removed from play by the opposition until the first 4 stones in any end have come to rest.   Any opponents stone(s) removed from the Free Guard Zone prior to the first 4 stones being played, the opposing team will place their stone back in it’s original position and play continues. 

Curling teams consist of four players: the lead, second, third (or vice-skip) and the skip, who is the team strategist. As each player releases the stone, an in-turn (clockwise) or out-turn (counter-clockwise) release is used to rotate the stone as it glides down the ice sheet. This turn or “curl” gives the sport its name. The vigorous sweeping actually melts a thin top layer of the ice surface, reducing the friction between the stone and the ice. Vigorous sweeping helps the stone travel straighter and farther, increasing the distance by as much as 10 ft.