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Author Topic: Next season's delivery  (Read 1361 times)
strathydoug
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« on: April 10, 2011, 11:51:03 AM »

I've been thinking of changing my delivery for next season and I'd be interested in some viewpoints and experiences other curlers might have had.

I used to play much more often and took a couple of years off.  Over the past 3 years, I've slowly increased my curling again but I made a few changes, a new broom and I have been wearing mitts when sweeping etc.

I have found that I've never been able to reach the same level of consistency that I used to. 

I am considering ditching my mitts because I find that my hands are too soft when delivering the stone, I am also considering investing in replacement shoes as mine are now 10 years old.  When I used to play I used a certain broom for delivery and found myself very comfortable.  I have since invested in a different broom and have never been completely comfortable delivering the stone.

I would be interested to know if anyone thinks any of theese changes willmake a difference or if the problem is actually a psychological one?


I had my delivery reviewed by a coach this season and was given a couple of pointers but all in all was told my delivery didn't have any particular faults.

Any constructive thoughts are most welcome.
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Doug
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« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2011, 03:26:23 PM »
SD there are many parallels in other sports....it all comes down to a couple of factors: (1) as we grow older the suppleness, recovery rates & general stamina all begin to fall off a bit....we're not as flexible as we were in our teens & early 20's (2) Memories of our abilities at our "peak" tend to cloud the practicalities or the dawning realisation that we ain't ever going to perform at that sort of level again....
However it's not ALL doom & gloom! As you've correctly done you've made small adjustments to certain aspects of your game which you felt would be helpful...& FINE....how many golfers for example of a certain age, spend thousands on new clubs & equipment in the hope of knocking a few strokes off their burgeoning handicap?
If it works, DO IT!
But does it not come down in the end to our enjoyment of the game....? Our sport has always had the fabulous bonus that - not only is it socially inclusive - but that it accommodates abilities at all levels....I have one suggestion that I can promise from personal experience both in the field of curling & my other love of athletics will be more valuable than ALL the new equipment you could purchase....
Learn how to coach: you have amazing experience from all your years curling which CANNOT be passed on to the new up & coming generation by osmosis? These undoubtedly talented young people will not achieve their full potential without the expertise you can pass on to them....
Think about it.....wouldn't it make you feel so proud to see a protege whom you have helped to coach succeeding & flourishing in our sport simply as a result of you taking the time to help & encourage them?
It's often said that the future of curling in with our young curlers....I disagree: they are nothing if they cannot receive the benefit of the wealth of experience that the previous incumbents can pass on.

Stew
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JohnMinnaar
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« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2011, 04:01:49 PM »
Wise words, Outwick, and I agree with you.

SD, I don't know how far down the line you are, but here's advice from someone who watched too many curlers trying to deliver stones and trying too hard. Stick to what you're used to, you're not going to win the Worlds anytime soon. Same shoes, or same type of shoe -- I tried to change from red tiles to teflon and - well, forget it. Same brush -- I tried changing from horse hair to hog hair and didn't get very far, and the pads were too much like hard work to do properly. By the way, at nearly-senior level I must tell you sweeping helps, but it is not going to change the outcome much. If your old brush still moves the frost aside without your arms and legs screaming and your breath disappearing, it's doing just fine.

Curling at our level is line and length, never mind looking cute. One of the best shots I've ever seen played was from a very retired curler who hadn't curled for years -- he played the right weight, the right line, no-one swept it and we won the game, without him even reaching his teeline. Keep it simple, stick to what you know, and enjoy!
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strathydoug
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« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2011, 08:07:49 PM »
Just to add some additional information to the discussion I just turned 30.  I would say that I played my best curling when I was about 22 or 23.

I think that a lot does depend on the amount you curl in a season also.
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Doug
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« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2011, 04:28:44 AM »
I'd give up and take up Tiddlywinks, if I were you.

When you say that you did your "Best" Curling when you were 20 to 22, what you actually mean is that, to date, that was your most successful period of "Open Competition" Curling.

Your best Curling is still to come!
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Bob Agg
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« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2011, 05:19:51 PM »
Sd just keep practicing with what u have. Get some decent shoes and a brush u find comfortable. It doesn't matter what your slide looks like, it's all in the release. Alot of the top curlers have far from "perfect" slides but their release is spot on. If you release the stone clean and on line it will only be the weight that affects the result of the stone.

Kind regards

Bobbybaggy
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