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Curling is a team sport played on ice, where two teams take turns sliding stones made of granite toward a target area segmented into four concentric circles.

The ice upon which the game is played is known as a sheet. The ice may be fast (keen) or slow. If the ice is keen, a rock will travel further with a given amount of thrust. The house is the target at the end of the sheet. It is made of the four concentric rings, with a center called the button.

Curling is a game played between two teams of four players each, but sometimes only three. The four players typically on a team are the lead, second, third (vice-skip), and skip. Each player on the team throws two consecutive granite rocks with colored plastic handles, alternating between teams until sixteen rocks have been thrown. The skips usually throw the last four rocks (two each). The sixteenth (final) rock is called an end, which might be compared to an inning in baseball.

In recreational curling, games typically have eight ends or fewer, while in competitive curling, teams play ten ends.

The goal in throwing the rocks from one end of the sheet to the other end is to have the most rocks closer to the button after all sixteen rocks have been delivered. Points are awarded only after everyone has thrown all their rocks (the end of an end). Only one team can score in each end. The team that scores is the one with the stone closest to the center of the house. When the team with the closest rock to the center also has the second closest rock to the button, two points are awarded. That team continues to score points until an opponent's rock is closer, which stops the counting process.

Significantly, scoring doesn't start until all of the rocks are thrown. Curlers don't simply throw each rock to the button repeatedly and hope for the best. Instead, players throw guards, draws, and hits in varying permutations in the hope of having rocks in scoring positions after all the rocks are thrown.

To throw a stone, a curler places one foot on a small, slanted foothold known as the hack, and the other foot on the ice. He pushes off from the hack, slides down the ice, and releases the rock with a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation prior to reaching the hog line, a set boundary that the stone must clear before it is considered valid. Once a player delivers the rock toward the other end of the sheet, two of the shooter's teammates sweep in front of the stone with a broom that has a synthetic pad on the end. This sweeping is intended to temporarily melt the pebble in front of the rock, reducing friction, which causes the stone to curl less, travel further, and hopefully land in a favorable position. In curling, a pebble is a fine water spray applied to the sheet before the start of the game, intended to create irregularities on the ice surface, thereby making the stones slide on a rough surface, which causes them to curl.

The origins of curling are in Scotland, where it began as a pastime played on natural ice surfaces. Historical records suggest that the sport emerged during the early 16th century. Rural communities used frozen ponds and lochs as natural arenas where villagers would slide stones toward a target marked on the ice. The first known written reference to the game appears in Scottish documents dating from this period. By the 17th century, curling had become a well-established winter pastime.

The term curling itself is inspired by the way the stone curves as it travels over the ice.

As Scottish immigrants settled in new territories, they brought their love for the game with them. By the 18th century, it had become popular in Canada, where it evolved into a national tradition that brought people together during the long winter months. Curling eventually spread to northern Europe and beyond, finding a loyal following in countries with similarly cold climates.

Often referred to as "chess on ice," the game requires mental agility as much as physical precision. Its deliberate pace and the importance of communication between teammates have helped to endear the sport to spectators and participants alike. Over time, televised events and media coverage have contributed to a growing international fan base, transforming curling from a winter pastime to a globally recognized sport.

As its popularity rose, major tournaments were formed to identify the best curling teams in the world. National championships such as Canada's Brier for men and the Scotties Tournament of Hearts for women have captured the attention of Canadians. Internationally, the World Curling Championships gather top teams from around the globe. Its inclusion in the Winter Olympics has further cemented its visibility.

Topics related to curling, whether as a recreational game or a competitive sport, are appropriate for this category.

 

 

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