When there are a few games taking place at the same time it can get very noisy on the ice which can make verbal communication difficult.

Here are some basic signals that the Skip will use to signal what type of shot you are being asked to play.

In Turn

   

The Skip holds out their RIGHT hand.  This indicates that the stone should be turned in a ‘CLOCKWISE’ direction.

Out Turn

The Skip holds out their ‘LEFT’ hand.  This indicates that the stone should be turned in an ‘ANTI-CLOCKWISE’ direction.

Guard

The Skip will hold the brush horizontally above their head.

The played stone should lie in front of the house and may protect another stone.

Draw

The Skip will hold the brush to indicate the desired position of the stone and tap the top of the brush.

The played stone should finish in the house.

Hack Weight

The Skip will tap their ankle with their hand to indicate a ‘Hack Weight’ is required.  A Hack weight is where the stone should stop at the hack and no further.  This weight is used for a light take-out or to push a stone to the back of the house.

Barrier Weight

The Skip will cross their hand across their mid-rift (stomach) to indicate a barrier weight.  A barrier weight is a light take-out weight where the stone would bump the barrier behind the hack and no more.

Take-out / Strike

The Skip will hold the brush close to the stone that they wish to take out of play and tap their shoulder to indicate weight.  They will then move their brush to a position for line.

The played stone will ideally remove another stone from play and lie.