Glossary of Curling - C

C

Calling the shot

When the skip holds the broom where he/she wants the person delivering the stones to aim. When the skip is delivering, the third calls the shot

Capital One Grand Slam of Curling

A series of eight premier men’s and women’s events that feature Canada’s deepest and strongest curling fields

Cashspiel

A tournament with significant entry fees and large prizes, sometimes part of a charity event; despite the large prizes, cashspiels are not the premier events in curling

Centre guard

A guard that is placed directly on the centre line, in front of the house; usually played by the team that does not have the hammer

Centre line

A line running lengthwise down the centre of the ice, used as a visual aid; some sheets do not have a centre line, or do not have one between the hog lines

Chip

A takeout that hits a rock at an angle

Chip and lie / chip and roll

When a played stone strikes the edge of another stone and moves to another position in play

Circus shot

A flashy but low-percentage shot. Also Trick shot

Clean

To brush the ice lightly in front of a moving rock to remove any debris and ensure a correct line; less vigorous than a sweep

Club

The location of the curling rink; most players usually refer to it as "The Club"

Come-around

Any shot that curls around another rock

Coming home

Going into the final (10th) end

Control weight

A takeout shot that is slow enough that the sweepers have relative control over its curl; faster than board weight, but slower than normal takeout weight

Corner guard

A type of guard that is off to the side of the house; usually employed when a team has the hammer and needs to score multiple points

Counter

A stone in the house lying closer to the centre than any of the opponent's stones. Each counter scores one point at the completion of an end.

Cover

Protection given to a rock by a rock in front of it

Curl

Movement of a moving rock away from a straight line.; as a verb, to play at curling

Curler

General term for player involved in a curling team; also known as a "soofter" in the UK

Curling

A team sport which involves sliding granite stones on ice and sweeping in front of them with brooms to direct them to desired placements

Curling club

Synonymous with club

Curling pin

A participation souvenir, generally worn on a sweater; there is a sub-culture at any major bonspiel built around trading pins. Most curling clubs and many tournaments produce one, and they are usually not awards

Curling stick

A device that permits a player to deliver a stone while standing upright; generally used by older players, these are legal in most games.