Curling 101
The aim is to end up with more rocks closer to the button than your opponent at the end of the 'end'. For example if one team has 6 rocks in the circle, and the other team pops one on the button, that team will score one, and win the end. If the second team blows it and their rock goes out the other side, the first team will score 6.
The name comes from the fact that if you turn the rock inside or outside (left or right spin as you let it go), it will actually curl a bit either way as it travels down the ice. You can influence the way the rock goes a lot with the proper use of a broom. Good curlers will make a rock go around one of the opponents and land in behind where it's hard to hit out.
Two teams of four players. The leader is called the Skip. He/she always throws last rock, and is the one at the other end with the broom pointing to where the rock should go, and hollering directions on how hard or not to sweep the rock.
When the game is over, you shake hands and go upstairs at the rink for a beer.
There are lots of other finer points to the game, especially when you start realizing the strategy that's involved. I'm not even a curler, but just being from Manitoba means I have assimilated at least this bit of knowledge. It's very hard to avoid the game in this province. Everyone knows someone who curls, if they don't themselves. I do mean everyone!
Now, if some hockey player could please explain icing to me???? My brothers have been trying for many years, and I just don't seem to be able to get it straight. :???: