Learn To Curl - Tip #19 - When To Release And How To Reduce Drag

In this video I share WHEN you should be releasing the stone and why it might differ for different people. I also share with you how to get a longer slide and why that is advantageous.
Follow @jamiesinclair21 @CurlUpWithJamie

[@starnes87]

Great job, a lot to digest but all good information. I will definitely remember 'one broom length' release when curling starts again. Thank you Jamie.

[@user-uw4wb7qo3i]

always enjoy your videos. I wish you were competing now so you could do a Day in the Life (on tournament day). Also, have enjoyed your home Reno videos as well .... hope all is going well with that too. stay safe.

[@AJHipCurler]

Thanks for the picking back up with the great videos Jamie! Any advice from the skips position on how to adjust for the release point differences from the rest of your team? Give more broom if they tend to release earlier? Or thoughts if one of your team mates just doesn't get a consistent release and is unlikely to get enough practice / slide distance to bring that more in line quickly?

[@Sanriogurl729]

Hi jamie this video really helped me so much keep up the good work❤❤❤

[@Sanriogurl729]

Btw your my idol and I went to one of your games you always help to give me more courage to do better❤

[@danilaliamaev8538]

Thanks for the video! Good job!

[@edwardpirie7625]

excellent coach

[@CurlUpWithJamie]

Glad you think so!

[@evanmaclean943]

What is our target? When I bowl I aim at the arrows on the lane about 1/3 down. So I’ve inherited that for curling. For example The skip calls the shot. Then holds out my mark. I make an invisible line towards the stone with my hips facing the mark etc. then I visually see where that like hits the Hogg line and that’s what I aim for. Should I do this or should I keep my head up and focus on the broom mark? In bowing a closer mark is easier to hit. But there is a point if you pick a point to close the axis can’t be exact. So it is different than bowling which is always a 1/3 way from target. In the approach it’s distance from hack but then eventually becomes almost nothing. Thanks, Evan

[@patrickleahy9534]

Love your vids! Thanks!

[@heatherdufault6578]

Question for you: Because I have always operated on the principle that you mention (that momentum starts to immediately decline with a hack delivery) I have adopted my own system of counting "seconds" (one-thousand, two-thousand, three-thous--etc.) to determine exactly when I will release my rock, while keeping my kickout for the slide roughly the same. I really like this system, because I can continually modify it based on how slow or fast the ice is. So, I will generally release my rock anywhere from "one-thous..." (on an upweight hit, let's say) right up to, say, "one-thousand, two-thousand, three-thousand, four-thousand, five..." (as an example, in throwing a guard on very fast ice). I have taught myself to keep the count as consistently close to 60 beats per minute (accurate seconds) over time, so that my count-system is as accurate as it can be. I have found this to be very successful for me in most games; I would say that generally I am able to make over 80% of my draw shots...and am probably throwing the hit-weight asked for (control, board, hack, etc.) around the same percentage of the time. So, it may seem an odd system, but it works for me! What do you think?

[@CurlUpWithJamie]

If it works, then thats great! I would say that the only disadvantage i see is that if you release at different spots for different shots, then your rock will have more time to curl on certain shots. That makes the skips job hard to put the broom down in the right spot. You typically want the longest slide possible in order to be as accurate as possible (with weight and line) since it gives you more time to make adjustments.

[@heatherdufault6578]

@CurlUpWithJamie Strangely enough, on one occasion of team practice with our then-coach, we tried comparing release-points by having someone drop a glove beside each delivering player in turn (not terribly technological, but at least gave us a rough idea). We did this at several different draw and hit weights...I was very surprised when our coach observed that I was actually releasing the rock at virtually the same place no matter what weight I threw! Still can't figure how that could be possible-- but he insisted it was the case...

[@CurlUpWithJamie]

@@heatherdufault6578 Thats fantastic! Thats what you want to see :)

[@liannascrimger8624]

Thank you for the tips Jamie! I am new to curling and it has taken me half a season just to finish a game without bruises on my right knee where it was making contact with the ice. I need to learn that hover technique! Do you have any tips on making the transition from using a delivery device/crutch to throwing while holding your broom? I only tried a couple of times and fell on my knees both times, now I am a bit scared to try it again!

[@lotuscedar9953]

You may try the "Manitoba tuck" in which the whole broom is horizontally lying/sliding on the ice. Whichever form you choose, it's all abt finding the best 4-way balance (left-right, front-back) while delivering/releasing the rock.

[@heatherdufault6578]

If you are having balance issues--why not just stay with the crutch/stabilizer? Think about it--with this device, you have Three points of balance keeping you upright, rather than just the edge of the brush-head (which is only One point of balance). Since I moved from broom-delivery to stabilizer-delivery, I am throwing the rock much more consistently on-line, and am able to generate more power with up-weight shots. I was advised by a coach to try a stabilizer also because (as a 50 year-old plus curler) my knees are not what they used to be...I am very glad I made the change...

[@sheamurai2698]

ahh, here was the # of rotations I was looking for, ;)

[@user-vb8zo6kh4j]

I think 4-5 is recommended more now.

[@CurlUpWithJamie]

yup, definitely a trend towards more rotation now, you're right.

[@RockieAtlas]

I'm new to curling and can never seem to slide close to the hogline. I'm not sure if it's just down to my leg strength.

[@CurlUpWithJamie]

It might be a couple things... balance, equipment, strength, etc. It might take time to build a longer slide but it will help improve accuracy.

[@trevorduersch2278]

[02:10] I need to put in this comment so I remember in the future. The ideal amount of rotations from start to finish is 3 - 4.

[@trevorduersch2278]

@CurlUpWithJamie it seems that the number of rotations are different for curlers when they are throwing takeouts vs draws? I've noticed less rotations on takeouts and just 1 or 2 more for draws. When I watch some of the Canadian professional women curlers, I notice sometimes the rotations are around 2 - 3?

[@CurlUpWithJamie]

Every player will be different but a good rule of thumb is that the the number of rotations should be the same no matter the weight on the rock. A good example of lots of rotation is Rachel Homan, and Team Mouat, @@trevorduersch2278

[@trevorduersch2278]

@@CurlUpWithJamie thank you for that information. That is good to know! I’m still learning and striving to continuously improve. I hope you are doing well Jamie! I hope to catch some of your games at the Scotties this year. 😃

[@JohnWhitemedia]

I seem to be flaring on release when I'm doing the "pop" motion. Any tips to prevent that?

[@CurlUpWithJamie]

Try to think about gripping the handle with mostly your thumb and first finger. Then when you go to apply the release, think about pinching those 2 fingers and rotating at the wrist!

[@timothycarry]

It looks like your rock is under your dominant eye. That would make it easier to aim. I have been told to have it under my shoulder but it makes it harder to aim. Your thoughts?

[@CurlUpWithJamie]

I would say in the middle of your face, unless you have a very dominant eye.

[@timothycarry]

@@CurlUpWithJamie Thank you, I was not expecting a reply from one of the worlds best curlers but was hoping one of the readers might.

[@trevorduersch2278]

@@timothycarry great question! I'm glad you asked it and yes, Jamie is very good at replying and answering questions. :)

[@8puma8]

most good curlers now put much more than 3-4 rotations

[@CurlUpWithJamie]

yup, now you'll see some top teams have anything from 5-8 rotations. But they are typically on ice that curls a lot. Most local curling clubs where the ice a straighter, 3-4 is still a good target to aim for.