If you’ve been curling for a while but haven’t yet discovered the drag effect, you’re missing out on one of the most impressive shots in the game. This technique isn’t just effective—it’s downright magical when executed properly. When I make this shot against opponents, their jaws drop as they try to figure out what just happened.
The drag effect occurs when two rocks are close together and you need to play a double run back. Though the rocks may appear perfectly lined up to hit a target in the house, the actual path of the second rock can be dramatically influenced by where you hit the first rock.
How the Drag Effect Works
Picture this scenario: two rocks lined up perfectly, seemingly a straightforward shot. Most curlers would assume they just need to hit the first rock and everything will fall into place. But that’s where the magic of the drag effect comes in.
When you hit the first rock, it wants to travel in a certain direction. If that first rock wouldn’t naturally hit the second rock (if the second rock wasn’t there), something fascinating happens. The first rock actually pulls the second rock along with it in the same direction—not to the same degree, but significantly enough to change its path.
This pulling or “dragging” action is what gives us control over where that second rock ultimately goes, allowing us to make shots that seem physically impossible to the uninitiated.
The Science Behind the Drag
Every curling rock has what’s called a “striking band“—the area around the circumference of the rock that makes contact with other rocks. This band varies in thickness, shape, and texture from rock to rock:
- Rocks with thin, smooth striking bands produce less drag effect
- Rocks with thick, coarse striking bands create more drag
- The shape (flat, rounded, or concave) also influences the drag potential
Understanding your rocks’ striking bands gives you a competitive advantage when attempting drag effect shots.
Critical Distance Factors
For the drag effect to work properly, those two rocks need to be very close together—ideally touching, but at least within two inches of each other. The physics is simple: the closer they are, the more the first rock can influence the second rock’s path.
When rocks are farther apart, you’re just playing a standard double run back with no drag effect at all. The proximity is what creates the magic.
Practical Applications
Let me walk you through how to use this technique strategically:
- To remove a rock on the right side of the house: Hit the top rock on its left side
- To remove a rock on the left side of the house: Make contact with the top rock on its right side (about a third of the rock)
- To remove a stone directly on the button: No drag needed—just hit straight on
The beauty of this technique is that it gives you options where none seemed to exist. You can make shots that appear impossible, removing stones that seemed safely protected.
When I first learned this technique, it transformed my strategic thinking. Suddenly, rocks that my opponents thought were safe became vulnerable. The psychological impact of making these shots can’t be overstated—it’s not just about removing stones; it’s about showing your opponents that nowhere is safe.
Next time you’re practicing or in a game and see two rocks close together out front, try experimenting with the drag effect. It takes practice to get comfortable with the angles and to understand how your specific rocks behave, but the payoff is worth it.
The more you practice, the faster you’ll recognize potential drag effect scenarios during games. Soon you’ll be making shots that leave both teammates and opponents wondering if you’ve somehow managed to bend the laws of physics.
So get out there and start practicing this technique. Not only is it incredibly effective, but it’s also one of the most satisfying shots to execute in curling. Your opponents won’t know what hit them—literally.
