Glossary of Curling - S

S

Scraper

A device used by the Ice maker to smooth the ice after a period of extended play; usually performed in conjunction with pebbling

Second

The player who throws the third and fourth rocks for a team; on most teams they also sweep for all other players on their team

Second shot

The second closest rock to the button

Sheepskin

A wide brush, traditionally made of sheepskin, which is used to clean the ice of any loose debris, typically during the mid-game break (commonly after the 5th end of tournament play)

Sheet

The area of ice that on which one game is played

Shooter

In a hit, refers to the rock being thrown

Shot rock / shot stone

The rock in the house closest to the button; the next closest rocks are second shot and third shot. To "be shot" means to have shot rock.

Silver Broom

The curling world championships from 1968–1985

Skip

The player who calls the shots and traditionally throws the last two rocks; typically the best player on the team. As a verb, to "skip" means to lead one's rink

Slide

The forward movement of a player during the delivery of a stone

Slider

A piece of Teflon or similar material attached to a curling shoe that allows the player to slide along the ice

Soft release

A type of release that makes the rock curl more, usually by imparting less rotation to the handle

Spiel

Scots for match, game or competition, this is the term used for a curling competition between members of the same club or community, for example parish spiel; also used as an abbreviation for Bonspiel. Compare Bonspiel.

Spinner

A stone traveling with a rapid rotation. Stones thrown in this manner will curl only a small amount, if at all

Split

A draw shot in which the played stone hits on the side of a stationary stone and both move sideways and stay in play. Not to be confused with split the house

Split the House

A strategy of drawing to a different area of the house to prevent your opponent from taking out both stones

Stacking the brooms

Slang for socializing with teammates and opponents, often over a drink, after a game

Steal

Scoring in an end without the hammer

Stone

A rock

Straight handle

Synonymous with no handle

Straight ice

Ice on which stones curl less than usual

Strike weight

a weight that can take out another stone

Sweep

To brush the ice in front of a moving stone, which causes it to travel farther and curl less

Swing the stick around

To use the measuring device to determine shot rock

Swingy ice

Ice on which stones curl more than usual