I was just wondering what are the rules and how do you play curling I hope I said it right

Things to consider when going curling:

Teams r made of 4 people (each player throws 2 stones). Two teams play against each other on one ''sheet'' (lane) of ice. Time can be saved by pre-arranging teams. The four positions are:

* Lead: Goes first in the throwing order, then sweeps all the other team members' shots - usually has easier shots because there r few stones in play.
* Second: Throws second & sweeps all other team members' shots - has more difficult shots since some stones in play.
* Vice: Throws third, holds brush (target) for Skip, & sweeps only Lead is & Second is shots - has difficult shots as a lot of stones r usually in play.
* Skip: Throws last, holds brush for all other players, tells other players when to sweep, watches the ''curl'' of the stone - has most difficult shots as all other stones have already been played - team captain.

You will need a warm sweater & a very, very clean pair of running shoes (not the shoes u walk through the parking lot with) as well as loose fitting pants & perhaps gloves (the idea is warmth with mobility). Stones, brushes, score sheets & special 'curling tape' (for use as a slider) will be provided for you.

How to Play:

* At the start of an end, & the game, the two Skips go down to the far house & begin to direct play for their teams (they r team captain). Each team alternates throwing with the other team one stone at a time. Each player throws two stones. When the Lead is delivering the Second & Vice r sweeping as the Skip watches the ''line'' (curl) of the stone. The sweepers judge the ''weight'' (how far the stone will travel) while the Skip will yell to them if the stone is curling too much. When the Second throws the Lead & Vice sweep & when the Vice throws & Lead & Second sweep. Finally, when the Skip throws the Vice watches the line from the Skip is position & the Lead & Second sweep. It is not nearly as confusing as it sounds!
* At the conclusion of an end the two Vices must agree on the score & it is marked on the scoreboard. (Measuring devices r used if the naked eye cannot determine which stone is closer.) At the conclusion of a game the teams shake hands & say ''Good Curling''.

Brief History of the Sport:

* While it is true that the sport of curling dates back to the 15th century, the modern version (Scottish style) originated in the early 17th century. The oldest Curling Club in North America is Royal Montreal Curling Club (1807). Curling was always played outdoors, usually on frozen lakes, until the 20th century. Curling was a demonstration sport in the Olympics 4 times (1924, 1932, 1992, 1994) before being admitted as a full medal sport in 1998. Canada has more curlers in total than any other country.

Facts & Finer Points:

* Curling is a game of etiquette - a game is always preceded by a handshake & the expression ''Good Curling''. Two teams play against each other on one ''sheet'' of ice & each game is started with a coin toss whereby the winner usually picks to go last. There r four players on a curling team & each player delivers two stones (the four positions r Skip, Vice, Second, & Lead). At the conclusion of an ''end'' (most curling games r 8 end games; an end is similar to an inning in baseball) the score is determined for that end. A team receives one point for each stone closer to the ''tee'' (centre) than the opposition (only one team can score in any one end). The team that scores goes first in the next end.
* A stone must be 6 feet, or closer, to the tee to count for points (this area is called the ''house'' & is painted as a combination of circles with a total diameter of 12 feet). If no stones r in the house this is called a ''blank end'' & neither team scores (the team that last scored still goes first in the next end). A stone must cross the ''hog line'' but be no further than the ''back line'' to be in play. Curling is played on ice that is very level but has small ''pebbles'' (droplets of water). The pebble is what the stones curl on (the stone comes into contact with the ice on its ''running surface'' & the friction, however mild, between the running surface & the pebble makes the stone curl). A curling stone weighs approximately 42 lbs & is made of an especially unique type of granite, which is mined exclusively in Scotland. Curling stones r very expensive: one new stone would cost approximately $1000.00.
* A stone is delivered from the ''hack'' & must be released before the stone reaches the closer hog line. The ''handle'' (turn or spin) is placed on the stone at the point of release (the two turns r called the ''in-turn'' (clockwise to a right-handed thrower) & the ''out-turn'' (opposite). A player can re-throw providing the stone has not touched the closer tee line. Sweeping can make a stone go further (about 16 feet), make the stone curl less (run straighter), & cleans any debris from in front (if a stone hits even a tiny piece of debris it will usually curl right out of play). There is no way to slow down a stone or make it curl more. You can sweep ur team is stone from the point of release until it stops (you always have priority on ur team is stones). You r allowed to sweep an oppositions stone once it reaches the far ''tee line''.
* The 3 basic shots in curling r the Draw (a stone that comes to rest in the house), a Guard (a stone that comes to rest short of the house & either protects a stone in the house or is put up first & then curled around later, & the Takeout (a stone with sufficient ''weight'' to go through the house).