Improving Your Game - The Skip

Editor: unknown
Date: 2013-04-01

Posted: Apr 1, 2013
Contributed: Colin Sinclair

The Skip

Skips, like goalies, are a rare breed. Not because the skip needs to be the best shooter on the team, they don’t, but because skipping can be lonely and sometimes stressful. They are alone at the far end with only the opposition for company. They are slightly removed from the rest of the team because of distance and the isolation the game creates. They also have the weight of knowing that they will throw the last rock weighing down on them (especially when an end is not going as planned). A good skip thrives on the pressure but also is relieved to be throwing a guard on their last shot (the end went according to plan).

As a skip:

Learn to be mentally strong and decisive. You have the final say. Don’t be afraid to ask for the team’s input but your role is to call the game.
Know your players - each one is different. Their strengths and weaknesses vary. If you recognize these traits you can use them to the team’s advantage during the game
Try to pick up on the other teams strengths and weaknesses and use them to your advantage – play your game not theirs
Be confident when calling line. Be assertive, except of course when you’re throwing. Make a decision on sweeping and communicate it to the sweepers and know when to call for plan b, plan c, or even d. Make every shot useFUL not useLESS – stay with the shot until the end – even the errant ones.
Communicate with your sweepers. They should be giving you calls on weight and you should be answering back with line call and telling them to sweep or not.
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 a little time when deciding on shot options but do your thinking while the opposition is throwing – you should try to think 2 shots ahead. Once you take control of the house make a decision about what you’re going to call fairly quickly. You’re not at the Brier… and even if you were there is a time limit and you need to respect it. If you demonstrate confidence and decisiveness in your shot calling your team-mates will pick up on it.
Be supportive of your team give positive feed back, “good shot”, or “good try,”. Offer constructive criticism when asked – but be sure of what you are offering and don’t be cruel. No - one likes a skip that berates players when they miss. Trust me they beat themselves up enough when they don’t make a shot.
Don’t put the broom down until you’ve made a firm decision on the shot call. If you’re unsure of the call it’s unlikely the shot will be made.
While it might sometimes be helpful to show throwers the shot tolerance it is usually more productive to call 1 shot and then deal with what you get from the thrower – the sweepers should know the tolerance.
You should be very familiar with the rules of the game and know your teams options should a situation occur on the ice. The rules are available on-line or you can purchase a rule book at curling supply stores or from the Ontario Curling Association.
Remember to watch that rocks don’t run into the hack and to keep the area behind the house tidy. Do not leave trip hazards. Make sure that you are in control of the rocks on your sheet – keep them off adjacent sheets.
Remain positive and patient – remember you cannot control the outcome of a game – you can only control your performance!