When do you know exactly when to release a curling stone? This question comes up frequently among beginners and even intermediate players. After years of coaching and competing, I’ve developed a clear understanding of this crucial technique that can make or break your game.
The basic rule is simple: release before the hog line or your stone gets pulled. But the optimal release point varies significantly between players based on your delivery style, slide length, and experience level.
Finding Your Perfect Release Point
The fundamental principle is to release the rock when you’ve achieved the desired body speed to make your shot. Once you kick out of the hack, you start decelerating immediately, so timing is critical.
For players with shorter slides who stop before the hog line, you’ll reach your desired speed quickly as your body decelerates rapidly. Your release might happen around the top of the house. If you have a longer slide and can travel further down the sheet, your release will likely be closer to the hog line.
A longer slide offers significant advantages:
- More time to assess your body speed
- Opportunity to make minor adjustments
- Greater accuracy in weight control
- Consistent release point for predictable curl
For example, if you kick out and realize you didn’t push hard enough, a longer slide gives you time to add weight with a slight arm extension to nail the shot.
The Release Process
Your release should start slightly more than a broom’s length before the hog line. The entire process—from applying rotation to when your hand leaves the rock—takes approximately a broom’s length to execute properly.
The quality of your release dramatically affects how your stone curls:
If your release is too fast and sharp, you might apply too much rotation, reducing curl. If it’s too slow and soft, you might not apply enough rotation, causing unpredictable curling.
Aim for your rock to rotate three to four times as it travels down the sheet. This provides the optimal balance for predictable curling action.
Consistency Is Key
One of the most important aspects of release technique is consistency. Your release point should be the same for every shot you throw. This makes your skip’s job calling line much easier because your rock will have the same distance and time to curl regardless of the shot.
Ideally, everyone on your team should release at approximately the same point. When one player releases at the top of the house while others release near the hog line, that player’s rocks will curl significantly more. This forces your skip to adjust their calls and anticipate different curling patterns.
Reducing Drag for Better Slides
To maintain a longer, more controlled slide, minimize drag by:
- Keeping your knee up off the ice
- Pointing your trailing foot toe so only the toe cap touches the ice
- Preventing “fishtailing” where your foot swings to the side
- Using the plastic part of the broom head on the ice for less resistance
Equipment also plays a role. Thinner sliders create more drag and slow you down faster. If you’ve improved your technique but still struggle with slide length, upgrading your shoes might be the next step. I use a quarter-inch slider with a divide and two holes, which provides excellent glide while maintaining control.
The path to mastering your release point comes through practice. Focus on consistently kicking out of the hack with the right speed, and you’ll develop the muscle memory needed for a reliable release. Remember that small adjustments in your delivery can lead to big improvements in your game. The more you practice, the more intuitive your release will become, allowing you to focus on strategy rather than technique during competitive play.
