Every Tuesday, we’ll share a curling tip to help you improve your game. Some weeks we’ll go back to the basics, while others we’ll get into strategy, sweeping, and those little things that can make a big difference on the ice.
Whether you’ve been curling for a couple of years or a couple of decades, there’s always something new to learn!
We’ve got plenty of ideas lined up, but we’d love to hear yours too. Found a good curling video? Have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover?
Send it along to keven@fridaynightcurling.ca. Who knows? It might just become a future Tuesday Tip! 🥌
October 27, 2026: Weight Control & Weight Judgment 🥌
We’ve all done it. You let go of a rock, it looks perfect, and then… it sails right through the house. Or worse, your sweepers are working their hearts out and the rock stops six feet short.
Getting the weight right is one thing. Knowing where the rock is going to stop is another.
This week, we’ve got two lessons from Jamie Sinclair that go hand in hand. One for the person throwing the rock, and one for the people chasing it.
Weight Control: It Starts in the Hack
Ever notice how you can throw a beautiful draw in the second end, then throw what feels like exactly the same shot in the sixth and get a completely different result?
That’s curling for you!
Ice conditions change, and even the smallest difference in your delivery can affect where the rock finishes.
The trick isn’t to reinvent your delivery every time. It’s to develop something consistent and learn how to make those little adjustments when needed.
Jamie shares some helpful advice on controlling your delivery and adjusting to different ice conditions.
Weight Judgment: Don’t Make the Skip Guess!
Now, here’s where things get interesting.
Once the rock leaves the thrower’s hand, somebody needs to figure out where it’s going to stop. And believe me, the skip standing at the other end of the ice isn’t always the best person to ask!
Jamie has some great suggestions for sweepers:
- Start with the thrower. Moving alongside the delivery gives you an early feel for the rock’s speed.
- Watch the release. Did the thrower give it a little extra push or pull it back?
- Use a stopwatch if you like. Jamie suggests one sweeper use a watch while the other judges by feel. Just remember, the stopwatch doesn’t know everything.
- Call the weight early. Even if you’re wrong, keep updating your call. That’s how you learn.
Jamie also talks about using numbered zones to tell the skip where the rock is likely to finish. You don’t have to start with all ten zones. Even four can help your team communicate better.
And don’t be afraid to get it wrong. Nobody expects you to be perfect, but saying nothing doesn’t help anyone!
Jamie explains how sweepers can improve their judgment and communicate with their skip.
This Week’s Challenge: Call It Early!
During your next game, challenge your sweepers to call where they think every draw will finish before the rock reaches the near hog line.
Keep updating those calls as the rock travels. Don’t worry about getting it wrong. That’s how you learn!
And skips, give your sweepers a chance to make those calls themselves.
Remember, the thrower controls the weight, the sweepers judge it, and good communication makes everyone better! 🥌
Videos and instructional tips courtesy of Jamie Sinclair and Curl Up with Jamie.
October 20, 2026 — Grip and Release
This week’s tip is all about grip and release. The way you hold the rock and release it can make a big difference in how accurately and consistently you throw.
You don’t need to grip the handle too tightly. Just keep your hand relaxed and comfortable, and concentrate on giving the rock a nice, smooth release.
Jamie Tip #8 — Grip and Release
Video courtesy of Curl Up With Jamie.
Jamie’s Extra Tips
Jamie takes things a step further in this short video, showing how a few small adjustments can help you develop a smoother, more consistent release.
Video courtesy of Curl Up With Jamie.
Putting It All Together
A good release doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep your hand relaxed, stay in control, and let the rock go smoothly.
The trick is being able to do it the same way every time.
The more consistent your release, the more consistent your shots will be. 🥌
October 13, 2026 — The Slide
This week’s tip focuses on the slide, one of the foundations of a smooth and consistent curling delivery. A balanced slide helps keep your body moving toward the broom and gives you a much better chance of delivering the rock on line.
Jamie Tip #7 — The Slide
Video courtesy of Curl Up With Jamie.
Jamie’s Extra Tip
A good slide starts with getting into a comfortable, balanced position. Jamie calls it the park position, and getting comfortable there can help you build a smoother and more controlled delivery.
It’s called the park position for a reason!
Video courtesy of Curl Up With Jamie.
Putting It All Together
A good curling delivery doesn’t need to be complicated. Work on getting comfortable in your slide, staying balanced and keeping your body moving toward the target.
The more comfortable and repeatable your slide becomes, the easier it is to concentrate on the two things that really matter: line and weight. 🥌
October 6, 2026 — How to Line Up
This week’s tip is all about lining up your delivery. A consistent setup in the hack helps get your body, broom and rock moving toward the target before the stone ever leaves your hand. Jamie shows how a few small adjustments can make it much easier to hit the broom.
Video courtesy of Curl Up With Jamie.
Jamie’s Extra Tips
Jamie has a couple of extra tips that build on this week’s lesson and can help make lining up your delivery more consistent.
Video courtesy of Curl Up With Jamie.
How do you keep your shoulders square to the target?
Video courtesy of Curl Up With Jamie.
A consistent delivery starts before the rock ever moves. Taking a little extra care with your setup, alignment and body position can make it much easier to send the rock where you intended. Give Jamie’s tips a try the next time you’re on the ice.
September 29, 2026 — Balance
This week’s tip focuses on balance, one of the most important fundamentals in a consistent curling delivery. Good balance helps you stay controlled through the slide and makes it easier to deliver the rock on line.
Video courtesy of Curl Up With Jamie.
Hope you found this week’s tip useful! Come back next Tuesday when we’ll look at another important part of a good curling delivery: getting properly set up in the hack. 🥌