Getting your starting position right in curling is crucial to delivering an accurate shot. I’ve noticed many beginners struggle with proper alignment, which can throw off their entire delivery. The foundation of a good curling delivery starts with how you position your body before you even begin to slide.
Your shoulders must be square to the target – this is non-negotiable for consistent delivery. When your shoulders aren’t properly aligned, the rock will naturally follow the direction your body is pointing, not where you’re aiming.
The Broom-Rock Alignment Test
The simplest way to check if you’re properly positioned is to look at the relationship between your broom and the rock. This is a quick test I use with all my students:
- Place your rock in the starting position
- Position your broom on the ice
- Check if the broom head aligns with the rock on the same line
Many curlers make the mistake of having their broom “open” – meaning it’s not aligned with the rock. This creates a misalignment in your shoulders that will affect your delivery.
Creating Perpendicular Lines
What you want to achieve is a perpendicular relationship between two important lines:
- The line of delivery (where the rock will travel)
- The line created by your broom position
When these lines form a perfect 90-degree angle, your shoulders will naturally square up to your target. This alignment creates the foundation for a consistent delivery that goes where you intend.
I find that visualizing these perpendicular lines helps curlers understand the geometry of proper positioning. Your broom head should be brought up so that it creates this perpendicular relationship with your intended line of delivery.
Why This Matters
Proper shoulder alignment affects everything that follows in your delivery. When your shoulders are square to the target:
- Your weight distribution remains balanced
- Your sliding leg stays straight behind you
- Your release becomes more consistent
- Your aim becomes more accurate
Think of your shoulders as the aiming mechanism for your entire body. Just like a rifle that’s not properly sighted will miss its target, shoulders that aren’t square will send your rock off course.
This might seem like a small detail, but in curling, these fundamentals make the difference between hitting and missing. The best curlers in the world are meticulous about their starting position because they understand how critical proper alignment is to consistent performance.
Next time you’re at the hack, take an extra moment to check your broom-rock alignment. Make sure your broom head creates that perpendicular line to your delivery path. Your scorecard will thank you for this attention to detail, and you’ll find your accuracy improving with every properly aligned shot.
