Improving Your Game - The Second

Editor: unknown
Date: 2013-03-18

Posted: Mar 18, 2013
Contributed: Colin Sinclair

The Second

Playing second is arguably the least glamorous position on any curling team yet it is a hugely important role – good seconds are hard to come by. The second continues to build on the end that the lead has established or may have to bail the team out of trouble and right the ship.
To help improve your play at second:

Practice take outs and draws – throw one and then the other – that is what you will likely be called upon to do in a game situation and you need to be good at it. The best way to develop this skill is to practice. Get to the rink and throw draws and hits alternating. It can be difficult to shift gears and be accurate at this. Work on calming yourself after the hits so you can be relaxed enough to have the touch required to deliver an accurate draw.
Take outs don’t need to be killer weight - accuracy is much more important – bigger accurate weight will come later and yes in some situations it is good to have that weapon in your arsenal.
Be ready. When your skip takes control of the house you shouldn’t still be cleaning your rock, pulling on your slider or, worst of all, still yakking up at the hogline. Find your rock and get in the hack right away.
Understand the shot you’re throwing. Look at your skip not at your rock or the ice. If you don’t know what weight is expected or what turn to throw be sure to ask. Never throw a rock without fully understanding what the shot is.
When it’s your turn to sweep - be ready. Don’t be gossiping with the other sweeper or a player on another sheet as the rock slides by you. Know what shot is called and stay with the rock – until it actually stops – unless otherwise directed.
Communicate what you’re thinking about weight to the person in the house and to your sweeping partner frequently and don’t be shy about it. Make sure you let the person in the house know what’s going on with the rock and do it loudly enough for them to hear. You should have a good idea of how the ice is running and if a delivered rock is light or heavy.
After you have delivered the information to the person in the house listen for their instructions – if they tell you to sweep – then sweep – even if you think it’s heavy you’ve already told them the weight – you may be on to plan ‘B’ and visa versa.
If you think it’s light – then start sweeping – if you think it’s heavy – don’t sweep until you are asked to. You are responsible for the ‘weight’ or travel of the rock.
When you’re not next to throw stand quietly between the hoglines.
While you’re waiting for the skip to come down from the other end let the lead get the rock out for them and put it in front of the hack. Do NOT pull the opposition’s rock out for them, it’s NOT good etiquette and it’s a safety hazard!
Be prepared to speak with the lead and agree what to tell your skip about the speed of the ice – should they ask. Also discuss the path of the shot and any sweeping tolerance for the shot with your sweeping partner.
When measuring and point counting are going on in the house stay out of the way. The Vices are the only ones who should be in the house.

Keep these simple points in mind each time you play and you will improve at second.