In the sport of curling, the shooter refers to the stone that a player is currently delivering or has just thrown. While all sixteen stones on the ice look identical, the stone in motion takes on this specific name to distinguish it from the “stationary” stones already sitting in the house.
The Role of the Shooter
The shooter is the primary tool for scoring points or changing the layout of the game. A player slides out from the starting block, known as the hack, and releases the shooter toward the target at the other end of the sheet. Once in motion, the sweepers focus all their energy on this specific stone. They brush the ice in front of the shooter to control its speed and direction. Because the shooter interacts with everything in its path, it can either land in a scoring position or knock an opponent’s stone out of play.
Why the Shooter Matters
The behavior of the shooter determines the success of a team’s strategy. For example, if a captain calls for a “takeout,” the player must throw the shooter with enough power to strike another stone and remove it from the house.
Meanwhile, a “draw” shot requires a gentler touch so the shooter comes to rest softly inside the scoring circles. Therefore, every player must understand how the shooter reacts to the ice conditions and their specific release technique.
A Clear Example
Imagine a tense final end where the opponent holds the winning point. The skip—the team leader—points to a spot in the house and calls for a precise hit. The player releases the shooter with a slight clockwise spin.
As the shooter glides down the ice, the sweepers work furiously to keep it on line. The shooter eventually strikes the opponent’s stone, sends it flying toward the sideboards, and stays perfectly in the center of the house to secure the victory.