The ABCs of Curling - H

is for...well, H is for a lot of things in curling. For example, H is for:

Hack - Embedded in the ice at either end of the sheet, the hacks provide a piece of solid footing from which to push off in the curling delivery.

House - The rings to which the rocks are thrown is called the House. A rock in the rings is called, "in the house."

Hog Line - A thick line across the ice thirty-three feet out from the hacks, and fifteen feet out from the top of the house. During the curling delivery, the rock must be released by the thrower before it crosses the near hog line. A rock that is held past the line is declared "hogged" and removed from play for the remainder of that end. At the house end of the ice, a rock must be completely inside the hog line to be considered in play.

Hammer - The last rock thrown in an end. The team with the hammer is considered to have an advantage, although the importance of the last rock advantage has lessened significantly since the implementation of the four rock free guard zone rule.

Handle - Literally, the handle by which the curling rock is grasped during the delivery. Handle also commonly refers to the turn imparted to the rock upon release.

Hit - A curling shot played with increased weight, designed to hit another rock, and remove it from play.

Heavy - If the ice is 'heavy' it is slow, and the players must throw the rock harder to get it to the other end. If a running rock is 'heavy' it is travelling too fast. The delivering player has thrown more weight than intended.

And, of course, the 'H's of curling would not be complete without Hurry, Hurry Hard!

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