Improving Your Game - Grip

Editor: unknown
Date: 2013-02-25

Posted: Feb 25, 2013
Contributed: Colin Sinclair

Get a Grip

A good grip combined with a positive release can really help with shot accuracy. If you find yourself over rotating (spinner) or under rotating stones (big curl or loses the handle), flipping rocks or dumping them, having inconsistent weight control, not being able to properly follow through, or missing the broom completely, you just might have a release problem. Remember having poor balance or wayward line can result in a poor release as well.

If you feel balanced and straight in your slide but something still isn’t right, maybe take a closer look at the very end of your delivery. If you can’t get together with a qualified curling instructor for a lesson, here are some things to try that will help get you a better outcome.

When you grip the handle of a stone keep your fingers friendly (close together). This is important because it’s often those trailing pinkies that end up causing problems. If your fingers aren’t spread out you’re not going to catch the handle on them when you let go causing the rock to be flipped in or out.
Grip the middle of the handle in the second ‘pads’ of your fingers. Imagine you are carrying a gallon paint can or bucket of water. This gives you an even amount of control over the handle. Make sure that your grip is over the centre of the rock.
Place your thumb on the other side of the handle. Trust that you got out the broom just fine and let go. Keep It Simple Stupid!
Keep your wrist up nice and high. Having your wrist down too low tends to make you steer the rock. You want to eliminate all necessary variables that could impair your release. You line up in the hack, you slid out nicely, now just let the rock go, don’t try to second guess your line at the last minute and steer the rock.
Start your delivery with the rock handle turned to either 10 o’ clock or 2 o’ clock (at minimum) and hold it there through the first part of your slide. Toward the end of your slide (last metre or so) rotate the handle and release at just about 12 o’clock. Apply this rotation as if turning a door knob. Firm but not a spinner. This will get you a consistent amount of rotation (2.5 – 3). At the Brier and the Scotties they might be worrying about different releases for different shots, rocks, or ice conditions. We are not at the Brier, nor are we at the Scotties. Refer back to #3 and KISS
When you let go of the rock keep your fingers together and your hand should come up in front of your face as though you’re going to shake somebody’s hand. You should be able to look down your hand once you’re released and split the broom – or that’s what we’re working towards, anyway.
Follow through with your release. Hold up that hand (keep it there – don’t drop it to the ice or reach for the ceiling) and finish that slide
Let go of the stone before you start to lose momentum in your slide. If you feel a hitch and find you consistently have to shove the rock at the end of your delivery to get it down the ice, you might be hanging on too long. There is no law that says you have to release just before the hogline. I’ve met some very accurate throwers who release while they’re still sliding through the house. As your slide improves you will likely start to release later and this will be without having to push with your arm at the end. Play around with it until you find the perfect release point for you.

These are just a few ideas to get you on the road to having a great grip and release. Release is a delicate fine-motor skill. If you keep working at it and focus on what a clean release feels like, you will find success.