Delivering the Curling Stone 101
A comprehensive coaching guide exploring the evolution and mechanics of the modern no backswing delivery technique in curling. This technical report examines the fundamental principles, weight control mechanisms, and biomechanical insights that have revolutionized how athletes deliver curling stones.
Full Report
About This Report
This coaching document by Bill Tschirhart focuses on the “no backswing” (no BS) delivery technique that has become the industry standard. The report combines historical context, biomechanical analysis, and practical coaching insights to help athletes master this fundamental skill.
Historical Evolution
The no BS delivery emerged from junior curling programs where young athletes learned to keep stones on the ice throughout delivery, perfectly complementing faster, more consistent ice surfaces.
Technical Foundations
Key elements include proper stone positioning, grip mechanics, hack foot placement, and maintaining the stone on the line of delivery throughout the entire motion.
Weight Control: The Critical Challenge
Unlike the traditional backswing delivery that used pendulum motion for weight control, the no BS delivery requires a different approach based on timing.
The Park-to-Bottom-Out Principle
Weight control is achieved through the time taken from “park” position (hips drawn back) to “bottom out” (full slide position):
- Faster time (0.5 seconds) = More weight
- Slower time (1.5 seconds) = Less weight
- More leg drive = Shorter time
- Less leg drive = Longer time
Weight control with a no BS delivery is nothing more than a matter of time, the time taken from “park” to “bottom out.” Every curler MUST be able to articulate how he/she varies the weight of the stone.
The “Pane of Glass” Concept
A critical insight: when behind the “pane of glass” (the hack position), the initial forward motion must be a pulling motion to break through. Once the center of body weight (hips) moves over the hack, the motion transitions to push.
Draw the hips back to “load the gun” (develop kinetic or potential energy) then pull forward as hard as you can until the center of the body’s weight moves slightly forward of the hack then push without pausing.
— Bill Tschirhart
Key Coaching Insights
Common Mistakes
- The “bulge” problem: Moving the body over the stone causes a bulge. Remedy: “Follow the stone!”
- Brush head position: Must remain opposite the stone throughout delivery
- Drift prevention: Weight evenly distributed on the slider eliminates drift
Practice Tips
- Use a stopwatch to measure park-to-bottom-out time
- Practice the pull-to-push transition
- Keep the stone on the line of delivery
- Experiment with hack foot height for different weights
Report by Bill Tschirhart | “A Pane in the Glass” Coaching Series | True North Curling Inc.