As a skip, your ability to call shots effectively can make or break your team’s performance. After years of teaching curling techniques, I’ve found that many new skips struggle with communicating their vision to teammates. Clear shot calling isn’t just about pointing where you want the rock to go—it’s about creating confidence, establishing reference points, and ensuring everyone understands the plan.
The T-line is your best friend when calling shots. This crucial reference point helps you consistently place your broom in the same spot when calling similar shots. When you’re way out front in the free guard zone with no good reference points—just a big white space—it becomes challenging to place your broom consistently. By using the T-line as your anchor, you can more accurately remember broom placement and curl patterns.
The Step-by-Step Process for Effective Shot Calling
Once your opposition completes their shot, step into the house from behind and indicate your desired shot to your team. For draws, tap the exact spot in the house where you want the rock to land. For takeouts, tap the stationary stone you want to hit, then move your broom to show where you want the shooter to roll.
It’s also your job as skip to indicate which turn you want the thrower to use—intern or outturn. Do this by holding up your arm in the direction that matches how the thrower should position the handle when applying counter-rotation. You don’t need to hold your arm up throughout the entire shot; just long enough for the thrower to register the information.
Confidence is key when calling shots. Your players are more likely to execute successfully if they sense your certainty about the call. Hesitation or doubt can undermine their performance before they even throw the rock.
Showing Shot Tolerance: The Overlooked Game-Changer
One of the most overlooked aspects of shot calling is showing the tolerance or “pro side miss.” This means indicating what the next best outcome would be if the primary shot isn’t perfectly executed. By showing tolerance, you give your thrower a clear Plan B.
For example, if I’m calling a draw to the four-foot, I might indicate that ending up a little light and stopping as a tight guard would also be acceptable. This gives the thrower confidence to execute without fear of a catastrophic miss.
After showing the tolerance, always return to indicating the primary shot. This ensures the called shot is the last thing in your thrower’s mind before execution.
Communication Is a Two-Way Street
For successful shot execution, all three players at the other end must see and understand the called shot. Here’s what everyone should do to maintain clear communication:
- As a thrower, if you’re uncertain about what’s being asked, speak up and ask for clarification
- Brushers should know the called shot to prepare their sweeping strategy
- Team members should confirm understanding through hand signals or verbal confirmation
- Repeating the weight back to the skip or giving a quick hand wave confirms everyone is on the same page
I’ve seen countless shots missed not because of poor execution but because of miscommunication. Taking those extra few seconds to ensure clarity can save points and matches.
Putting It All Together
Effective shot calling combines technical knowledge with leadership skills. By using the T-line as your reference point, communicating with confidence, showing shot tolerance, and ensuring team-wide understanding, you’ll dramatically improve your team’s performance.
Remember that as a skip, you’re not just calling shots—you’re creating a shared vision for your team. The clearer that vision, the more likely your team will turn it into reality on the ice.
Next time you’re in the hack preparing to call a shot, take a deep breath, use these techniques, and watch how your team’s execution improves. Curling is as much about communication as it is about skill, and mastering shot calling puts you well on your way to becoming an exceptional skip.
