What happens if you run out of time in curling?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 17, 2026
Timing and Timers
Is there a time limit in curling?
International matches have a time limit of 73 minutes per side with two timeouts lasting a minute each. 10 minutes and one timeout are permitted per extra end in the event of a tie.
What does the time clock mean in curling?
Definition of: “Thinking Time” in a Curling Game. “thinking time” is the allotted time for each team to complete a game. The time clocks will operate while a team deliberates about choice of shot. The clock will stop when the delivering team's stone reaches the nearer tee-line.
Is there a mercy rule in curling?
A mercy rule shall be imposed if, after six full ends of play, one team leads another by ten points or more, the game will be called. 9. One referee per sheet of ice per game shall be appointed. This individual shall monitor the flow of play, record the official score, and measure rocks.
How long is a time out in curling?
In international competition, each side is given 73 minutes to complete all of its throws. Each team is also allowed two minute-long timeouts per 10-end game. If extra ends are required, each team is allowed 10 minutes of playing time to complete its throws and one added 60-second timeout for each extra end.
21 related questions foundDo curlers bring their own stones?
Most curlers do not buy their own stones rather, they pay a yearly fee, normally around $100 to their local curling club who will provide them with stones to use.
How difficult is curling?
Curling may seem relatively easy compared to other Olympic sports such as, say, ski jumping. But launching a 40-pound rock down a sheet of ice toward a specific target requires a high-degree of balance, precision and athleticism.
What happens if you kick a rock in curling?
What happens if you kick a curling stone? The result of kicking a stone that was just thrown can vary. If the contact occurred before the stone passed the hog line, then that stone is automatically removed from play.
Does sweeping really help in curling?
Curlers sweep the ice to help the stone travel farther and straighter. Sweeping in front of the stone reduces friction and helps the curlers control the amount of curl the stone undergoes.
Why is it called a hog line in curling?
The “hog line” gets its name from an old Scottish slang term for a weak lamb, which was likely to be culled from the flock. Likewise, a “hogged stone” is one that doesn't reach the far hog line and must be removed from play.
What happens if you touch a stopped stone in curling?
(2) Between the tee line at the delivering end and the hog line at the playing end: (a) If a moving stone is touched, or is caused to be touched by the team to which it belongs or by its equipment the touched stone is removed from play immediately by that team.
Who gets last rock in curling?
THE HAMMER: Since teams throw in an alternating fashion, one team throws the last rock in an end. That last rock advantage is called the HAMMER, and who has it an end affects strategy. The team with the hammer is hoping to use it to score multiple points in an end.
Where is curling most popular?
Therefore, yes, other countries definitely enjoy the sport. Sweden and Canada are on the top of the list for the greatest nations in both men's and women's curling, with Sweden being ranked first in the world and Canada being the strongest nation. Canada is the most successful team in the history of curling.
How much do curling stones weigh?
How much does the stone weigh and what is it made of? The official USA Curling rulebook states that each curling stone cannot be greater than 44 pounds (19.96kg) in weight, and no less than 38 pounds (17.24kg).
What is a steal in curling?
A steal in curling is an end in which the team that doesn't have the hammer scores. Steals are an important part of curling and winning a game.
What does LFSE mean in curling?
LSFE. Last Stone in the First End; in every other end, the last stone (or hammer) is determined by the scoring in the previous end.
How thick is curling ice?
Once the upper layers freeze, white paint, logos and other markings are added. In all, the ice is 10 centimeters thick, or nearly four inches. A small pool filled with hot water helps ensure the proper level of humidity.
Why do they yell in curling?
As it turns out, yelling is the way the skip, or team captain, communicates how the sweepers should continue to move the stone down the ice in order to secure the best shot. According to Mic, curling is a sport in which two teams composed of four players each alternately slide heavy granite stones down an ice sheet.
How much do curling stones cost?
Brand new curling stones cost between $500 and $900 each. Refurbished stones cost about $450 each, and used stones cost between $200 and $350 each, depending on condition and type of granite.
Is curling a real sport?
Curling is a team sport, played on ice, where two teams take it in turns to slide stones made of granite towards a target – known as a House. It is an Olympic and Paralympic winter sport with medal disciplines for Women's, Men's, Mixed Doubles and mixed Wheelchair teams.
Does curling take athleticism?
Does curling require any athletic skill? Yes: balance. The game starts with a member from one team “delivering the rock,” or sliding the 42-lb. granite stone across the ice toward the “button”—a circle at the other end of the ice 150 feet away—while skating forward in a low squatting-type position.
Is curling slippery?
In curling, the participants are able to slide around the ice on their shoes without slipping. But they're not wearing skates or regular sneakers.
How much do curlers make?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $122,000 and as low as $17,500, the majority of Curling salaries currently range between $29,500 (25th percentile) to $61,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $96,500 annually across the United States.
What are the rules of curling?
How does curling scoring work? Only one team can score during a curling end. The team with the most stones closest to the curling bullseye—the button—is awarded points. So if, after 16 stones are thrown, Team A has a stone right on the button, and Team B has a stone a few feet off the button, Team A scores a point.
Are curling stones hollow?
Then there is the curling stone. It's a polished marble stone with a curved hollow base; this is, the contact surface is a ring, as can be seen in Figure 2.