Curling is a precision sport that involves sliding stones down a sheet of ice towards a target area. It is played between two teams, each with four players. One of the key strategic elements of curling is the ability to “steal” points from the opposing team.
What is stealing in curling?
Stealing refers to when a team scores points in an end without having the last stone advantage. Typically, the team with the last stone gets to place their stone in a position to score points. However, the opposing team has an opportunity to steal if they can use their stones to either remove the opponents’ stones or place their own in a better scoring position.
A steal occurs when the non-last stone throwing team ends up scoring in the end. This is an important strategic play in curling because it allows a team to gain points without having control of the end.
How does stealing work in curling?
There are a few key ways a curling team can accomplish a steal:
- Knocking out opponent stones – The team can use their early stones to knock the opponents stones out of the house. This clears the area for their own stones to potentially score.
- Freezing to the button – By placing a guard stone in front of the button, the team makes it difficult for the opponents to remove it and score their own point.
- Draw behind cover – The team places draw shots behind guard stones, blocking access to the button for the opponent’s last shots.
- Promote their own stones – Early in the end, the team tries to place their stones in scoring positions that the opponents cannot remove.
Essentially, the stealing team uses their first five stones to either get their own stones in place to score, or remove the opponents’ stones so they cannot score with their last shot advantage. It requires excellent draw weight control and precise hits and rolls.
Why is stealing an important part of curling strategy?
There are several key reasons stealing is such an important element of curling strategy:
- Changes end dynamics – Normally the team with the last stone has the advantage. Stealing flips this on its head.
- Builds momentum – Successfully stealing points can energize a team and shift the pressure to the opponents.
- Provides extra points – Any steal is essentially bonus points for a team.
- Opens up leads – If a team can steal multiple points over the course of a game, it makes it much more difficult for the opponents to come back.
Teams will often employ very defensive strategies on ends where they do not have last rock. This gives them the best chance to steal and frustrate the opponents. Conversely, the team with the last rock will play very aggressively to minimize steal opportunities.
What is a perfect steal?
A perfect steal is when the non-last rock throwing team is able to score the maximum number of points possible in an end. This generally requires the stealing team to have multiple stones positioned in or around the four foot ring with no opponent stones available to remove them.
Some examples of perfect steals include:
- In a blank end, scoring 1 point
- In an end with 1 opponent stone in play, scoring 2 points
- In an end with no opponent stones in play, scoring 4 points
A perfect steal requires flawless execution of strategy, shots, and sweeping. It can completely swing the momentum of a game and put intense scoreboard pressure on the opposition. Teams will generally react very emotionally to either achieving or giving up a perfect steal in a crucial game.
Famous stealing moments in curling history
There have been many famous steals throughout curling history that changed the course of important games and championships:
| Year | Event | Stealing Team | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Olympic Gold Medal Game | Canada | With the score tied, Canada executed a steal of 2 in the 10th end versus Norway to win the gold medal. |
| 2016 | World Men’s Championship | Canada | Canada stole 3 points in the 10th end to beat Denmark 6-5 for the gold. |
| 2019 | Canadian Women’s Championship | Ontario | Facing 3 Manitoba stones, Ontario made an incredible triple takeout and stole 1 in the extra end to win. |
| 2022 | Olympic Bronze Medal Game | Canada | Canada stole single points in ends 7 and 9 to beat the USA 8-5. |
Stealing tactics and best practices
Here are some key stealing tactics and best practices for teams to follow:
When you don’t have the hammer:
- Play very defensive – Focus on keeping the opponents from getting to the button
- Throw up multiple guards – Make it difficult for them to draw around
- Place stones on the 4-foot rings – Forces the opponents to make perfect shots
- Limit their stone movement – The less stones in play, the more chances for multiple steals
When you have the hammer:
- Play aggressively – Try to score 2 or more points
- Remove opponent guards early – Open up the house for multiple scoring
- Draw around with last stones – Try to minimize steal opportunities
- Consider a blank end – If you can’t score 2+, sometimes better to blank the end
Executing the right stealing and anti-stealing strategy for a given end based on the score is a critical curling skill.
How to respond after giving up a steal
Giving up a steal can stop a team’s momentum and create pressure. Here are some tips on responding:
- Stay positive – Don’t dwell on the mistake, focus on the next shot
- Analyze why it happened – Talk about what went wrong and how to adjust
- Refocus on your game plan – Trust your tactics and strategies
- Consider a momentum break – Maybe call a timeout after the next end
- Focus on controlling what you can – Your own shots, not the opponent’s steals
Curling is a game of mistakes – even the best teams will give up steals. How you respond often determines whether you can recover and get back into the match.
Conclusion
Stealing is a pivotal part of curling strategy and can make or break a team’s chances of winning. Understanding when to employ stealing tactics, how to best execute steals, and how to respond after giving one up are critical skills for any competitive curler. Mastering stealing and anti-stealing strategies could be the difference between winning and losing key games and championships.