Balance is the foundation of successful curling. Eight years ago, I created a video on this topic that became one of my most popular tutorials. Today, I’m revisiting this crucial skill with updated techniques to help you improve your game.
Why does balance matter so much in curling? There are three main reasons:
- Safety – preventing falls and injuries on the ice
- Weight control – maintaining consistent body speed for precise draws
- Line accuracy – staying on your intended delivery path
Every wobble during your slide disrupts your sense of body speed, making it harder to execute those precise draws that can win games. The same applies to takeouts – if you want to throw with power and make rocks disappear, minimizing wobble is essential for maintaining momentum.
The Balance Progression Drill
I’ve developed a four-stage progression drill that you can practice at the start of every session. Each stage builds upon the previous one, gradually challenging your balance while improving your delivery technique.
Start with this drill at the beginning of every practice session. Only move to the next stage when you feel completely comfortable with the current one.
Stage 1: Broom Support
Begin in the hack with your broom on the ice in front of you, plastic side down. Place your hands on top of the broom to prevent them from dragging. The broom serves as a stabilizer while keeping your shoulders square toward the target.
Go through your regular delivery motion: hips up, rock back, foot back, then forward motion and slide. I find it helpful to position the broom on my sliding foot toes during the push to prevent dragging and minimize twisting.
Stage 2: Lift and Lower
Start exactly as you did in Stage 1, but this time, try lifting the broom slightly off the ice after pushing out of the hack. Even if you can only hold it up for a split second before putting it back down, that’s progress!
With practice, you’ll become more comfortable lifting the broom and holding it up longer. This stage builds the core strength and balance awareness needed for unsupported sliding.
Stage 3: Full Broom Elevation
Now comes the challenging part – keeping your broom in the air throughout your entire delivery. Slide out of the hack with your broom already elevated in front of you.
Hold the broom where you can quickly lower it to the ice if needed for stabilization. This position helps maintain square shoulders while testing your balance. When you master this stage, your balance will be excellent, giving you confidence for game situations.
Patience is crucial during this process. Balance improvement doesn’t happen overnight. You might need several weeks of practice before comfortably reaching Stage 3. The goal is simply to get a little better each time you practice.
Building Toward Better Performance
The benefits of improved balance extend beyond just staying upright. With solid balance, you’ll notice:
- More consistent weight control on draws
- Greater power transfer on takeouts
- Improved accuracy staying on the line of delivery
- Reduced fatigue throughout games
My students who commit to balance practice see remarkable improvements in their overall performance. The confidence gained from knowing you won’t wobble during crucial shots is invaluable during competitive play.
Remember that curling is a game of millimeters. Even slight improvements in balance can make the difference between making and missing those critical shots. Start incorporating this progression drill into your practice routine, and watch your consistency improve with each session.
Balance might not be the most exciting aspect of curling to practice, but it’s often the difference between good and great players. Commit to the process, celebrate small improvements, and enjoy the results when you start making those shots that once seemed impossible.
