New curler, and this type of sweeping is what we're being taught! Would have loved a visual aid for what "20 degrees in the line of the curl" looks like, though. Thanks as always, Jamie.
Oh, the rabbit hole of 'scratch theory', WCF heads make the results at high performance level just mind blowing! Keep up the great tutorials and Good Curling!
Hi Jamie. Love your videos. Watched your games in the Scottie’s. Having you on the Quebec team has definitely improved their chances. I’m 70 years old and started curling later in life at 18 yrs. old. Find your videos very informative. Looking to see you back at the Scottie’s or other major events! Regards Randy
A bit of a hard ask but as long as you're open to requests in the TH-cam comments: is it possible to put together a comparison video to help get an idea of directional brushing effectiveness in a semi-controlled way? E.g., throw one rock with just a light clean, then a sweep to the high side for carry/straight with a rec head, then one for curl with a rec head, then again with WCF heads? There's an old video on those lines from the broomgate era, but I think that was with an experimental head, not commercially available rec heads and certainly not a WCF one. TIA!
Sensation tips! I learn more from you in the way of curling. It seems like the main concern I learn was balance and delivery. Never knew the concepts of sweeping as you pointed out. Now to practice your methods
Love this! I don't know if there is a more controversial topic of discussion in our club than this. LOL! I play with two skips who absolutely refuse to believe in directional sweeping and another that employs it. Appreciate your thoughts!
I got my first experience with a comp broom head last year when my team played in the state playdowns to try and qualify for club nationals. The yellow comp heads are not as rough, they are thinner, and the padding is softer. There was a big, big difference to me when sweeping. I am a big guy who gets a ton of force on the ice. I made sure to have several for the weekend as they seem to wear out after a couple of games.
Hi Jamie, thanks for all of the videos. I’m new to curling and am trying to wrap my head around when to tell the sweepers to sweep, and more importantly, why. It seems when our volunteer coaches are calling for us to sweep, or stop sweeping, it’s a bit random. I’m assuming this is a pretty basic question but any insights you have would be appreciated!
Basically the sweepers job is to give the person in the house an idea of where the rock is going to end up (the speed), and the persons in the house is responsible for taking that information and making a decision on if they want the rock to curl or not. Example, if the speed is too fast (heavy) then you probably don't need to sweep. At a higher level, you can get into sweeping to hold the rock straight or make it curl. But thats a lot more complicated.
Thanks for posting. I'm a relatively new curler. My question is what the other sweeper would be doing during the directional sweeping. Assumedly, they'd be on the opposite side, which would make it difficult for them to mimic the same angle. Curious what their role would be.
Great question! Their job would be to encourage their partner to sweep harder and also communicate! They need to tell the skio where they think the rock is going to end up. So they are looking up, watching for hand signals from the skip and communicating.
Where exactly do you start your broom and sweep if you want it to curl to the left: smack dab in the middle of the rock or slightly to the right or left?
Hi Jamie, You're saying that the regular/recreational brush head pads are more effective than the WCF approved pads? Is it because of the WCF material absorbs more water than the other materials or only because of the ''roughness'' of the fabric? Thanks
Yes, those are reason, also colours make a difference. WCF wanted to make sure that the emphasis was more on the thrower talent and not all sweeping so they regulated the fabric. No more tinfoil or waterproofing lol
WCF regulations are for the brush head to "polish" the ice without causing scratches. They're not less effective at non-directional sweeping (and actually are a bit better because they don't create the "speed bump" effect Jamie mentioned in the video), but they don't create the kinds of scratches that can guide a rock in this way. Some of the advanced theory for directional sweeping with the new material regulations is to sweep only half of the rock (inside or outside) so that one half grabs the ice while the other half glides. The side that you're NOT sweeping will grab the ice and subtly move the rock in that direction. So, to make a rock curl more, you sweep on the OUTSIDE of the curl, and to keep it straighter you sweep on the INSIDE of the curl. It won't have near as much effect as with the materials & techniques Jamie talked about, but it's something.
As a new curler looking to buy my own broom do you have a recommendation? What am I looking for if I want something both long-lasting and effective? Thanks!
It does! If you pound a rock for curl the whole way down the ice, then throw again down the exact same path, the second rock will curl even without you pounding it. Not to the same extent (because frost is building back up) but definitely a little. So sweepers have to be really heads up in counting paths.
Suppose that the scratch induced curl theory is correct, wouldn’t it make sense to add more space between the rock and where you’re sweeping if our goal is to maximise curl while trying to leave distance unaffected? Im thinking that the added space should give the ice some time to refreeze while maintaining the scratches. Would this make any sense to you, given your experience?
I understand what you're saying. Could be tricky tho. The farther away you are, the harder it is to sweep in the rocks path... you need to account for the curl. And also if you're too far away the frost will build up between those scratches...
You should be relaxing after a hard week. Details on the release would be a good topic. It affects so much of the shot. Most curlers know how to put the curl on. They do not realise they may be dumping their inturn or catching their fingers on an outturn among other faults.
She's wrong. Directional sweeping works but not as she believes. If she were right sweeping across the rock path should make the rock stop and we all know sweeping makes the rock travel farther. I have a degree in physics so consider this...the ice is pebbled for a reason. (Try throwing a rock on ice with no pebble.) The rock rides on these pebbles so there are little points of contact between the ice and the rock. The weight of the rock and the friction of movement warms the points of contact so there is low friction. The work of sweeping adds heat to the ice and so the rock rides on a more "watery" surface which has less friction. So directional sweeping works because it reduces the friction on the side being swept (and possibly pushes debris over to the non-swept side to increase drag on that side). It's sad to see a sweeper, when the skip calls for direction sweeping, reach over the rock and sweep the wrong side and just watch for missed shots when this is done. The TH-cam image for this video shows how to sweep wrong.
@tonyhladun9081 that’s cool you have a degree in physics with everything you’ve explained. I do value Jamie’s points in this video because 1.) She’s been doing this for ~25+ years 2.) She’s a professional curler and plays in the Scotties and 3.) She mentions in the beginning of her video that these are things she’s learned and her beliefs in directional sweeping because there are a lot of different theories out there. Just something to keep in mind. Good Curling! 🥌
@@LuisSanchez-bf8kq Call me stupid if you like, but skips are now calling for the corner sweep and watch what happens when the sweepers reach over and sweep the wrong side.
@@tonyhladun9081 can you provide some clips from the Brier or Scotties or some other examples? I’d like to see what it looks like that you are referencing.
New curler, and this type of sweeping is what we're being taught! Would have loved a visual aid for what "20 degrees in the line of the curl" looks like, though. Thanks as always, Jamie.
Oh, the rabbit hole of 'scratch theory', WCF heads make the results at high performance level just mind blowing! Keep up the great tutorials and Good Curling!
Hi Jamie. Love your videos. Watched your games in the Scottie’s. Having you on the Quebec team has definitely improved their chances. I’m 70 years old and started curling later in life at 18 yrs. old. Find your videos very informative. Looking to see you back at the Scottie’s or other major events!
Regards
Randy
A bit of a hard ask but as long as you're open to requests in the TH-cam comments: is it possible to put together a comparison video to help get an idea of directional brushing effectiveness in a semi-controlled way? E.g., throw one rock with just a light clean, then a sweep to the high side for carry/straight with a rec head, then one for curl with a rec head, then again with WCF heads? There's an old video on those lines from the broomgate era, but I think that was with an experimental head, not commercially available rec heads and certainly not a WCF one. TIA!
ouu this could be fun! I will have to wait till next year when there is ice again but i like the idea. Thanks!
Would love a video on “knifing” techniques and the theories behind it. 😊
me too!
Sensation tips! I learn more from you in the way of curling. It seems like the main concern I learn was balance and delivery. Never knew the concepts of sweeping as you pointed out. Now to practice your methods
Love this! I don't know if there is a more controversial topic of discussion in our club than this. LOL! I play with two skips who absolutely refuse to believe in directional sweeping and another that employs it. Appreciate your thoughts!
thanks for this video!!!
This is great Jamie! Keep them coming! Hope you had fun at the Scotties with Laurie St. Georges and the team!
Hi Jamie I would love to see more curl up with Jamie videos! Kevin Imlay
Ive got some more in the works for you!
I got my first experience with a comp broom head last year when my team played in the state playdowns to try and qualify for club nationals. The yellow comp heads are not as rough, they are thinner, and the padding is softer. There was a big, big difference to me when sweeping. I am a big guy who gets a ton of force on the ice. I made sure to have several for the weekend as they seem to wear out after a couple of games.
Good call, yes, they dont last as long. At the top level, sweeping will change their heads after every game.
Hi Jamie, thanks for all of the videos. I’m new to curling and am trying to wrap my head around when to tell the sweepers to sweep, and more importantly, why. It seems when our volunteer coaches are calling for us to sweep, or stop sweeping, it’s a bit random. I’m assuming this is a pretty basic question but any insights you have would be appreciated!
Basically the sweepers job is to give the person in the house an idea of where the rock is going to end up (the speed), and the persons in the house is responsible for taking that information and making a decision on if they want the rock to curl or not. Example, if the speed is too fast (heavy) then you probably don't need to sweep.
At a higher level, you can get into sweeping to hold the rock straight or make it curl. But thats a lot more complicated.
Thanks for posting. I'm a relatively new curler. My question is what the other sweeper would be doing during the directional sweeping. Assumedly, they'd be on the opposite side, which would make it difficult for them to mimic the same angle. Curious what their role would be.
Great question! Their job would be to encourage their partner to sweep harder and also communicate! They need to tell the skio where they think the rock is going to end up. So they are looking up, watching for hand signals from the skip and communicating.
Where exactly do you start your broom and sweep if you want it to curl to the left: smack dab in the middle of the rock or slightly to the right or left?
Hi Jamie,
You're saying that the regular/recreational brush head pads are more effective than the WCF approved pads? Is it because of the WCF material absorbs more water than the other materials or only because of the ''roughness'' of the fabric?
Thanks
Yes, those are reason, also colours make a difference. WCF wanted to make sure that the emphasis was more on the thrower talent and not all sweeping so they regulated the fabric. No more tinfoil or waterproofing lol
WCF regulations are for the brush head to "polish" the ice without causing scratches. They're not less effective at non-directional sweeping (and actually are a bit better because they don't create the "speed bump" effect Jamie mentioned in the video), but they don't create the kinds of scratches that can guide a rock in this way.
Some of the advanced theory for directional sweeping with the new material regulations is to sweep only half of the rock (inside or outside) so that one half grabs the ice while the other half glides. The side that you're NOT sweeping will grab the ice and subtly move the rock in that direction. So, to make a rock curl more, you sweep on the OUTSIDE of the curl, and to keep it straighter you sweep on the INSIDE of the curl. It won't have near as much effect as with the materials & techniques Jamie talked about, but it's something.
You mentioned your competition brooms are different. Is that to keep a particular type of broom from giving a team an advantage?
It just got to a point where the brooms were doing all the work. So they regulated them to bring back most of the skill to the thrower.
As a new curler looking to buy my own broom do you have a recommendation? What am I looking for if I want something both long-lasting and effective? Thanks!
I personally think the best broom on the market now is Hardline.
Does the sweeping effect the path of the next stone thrown or do the scratches refreeze making a smooth surface again?
It does! If you pound a rock for curl the whole way down the ice, then throw again down the exact same path, the second rock will curl even without you pounding it. Not to the same extent (because frost is building back up) but definitely a little. So sweepers have to be really heads up in counting paths.
Suppose that the scratch induced curl theory is correct, wouldn’t it make sense to add more space between the rock and where you’re sweeping if our goal is to maximise curl while trying to leave distance unaffected? Im thinking that the added space should give the ice some time to refreeze while maintaining the scratches. Would this make any sense to you, given your experience?
I understand what you're saying. Could be tricky tho. The farther away you are, the harder it is to sweep in the rocks path... you need to account for the curl. And also if you're too far away the frost will build up between those scratches...
New theory: The sweeper tells the rock GO THAT WAY! GO THAT WAY! repeatedly and the stone sees it and follows it because it becomes excited.
That made me laugh 🤣🤣
haha i think it could work!
So there's lazy rocks just like there's lazy handle? Can't believe how much weird jargon curling has.
You should be relaxing after a hard week. Details on the release would be a good topic. It affects so much of the shot. Most curlers know how to put the curl on. They do not realise they may be dumping their inturn or catching their fingers on an outturn among other faults.
Cas you tell me how I can get a picture of you mrs.sinclare please
She's wrong. Directional sweeping works but not as she believes. If she were right sweeping across the rock path should make the rock stop and we all know sweeping makes the rock travel farther. I have a degree in physics so consider this...the ice is pebbled for a reason. (Try throwing a rock on ice with no pebble.) The rock rides on these pebbles so there are little points of contact between the ice and the rock. The weight of the rock and the friction of movement warms the points of contact so there is low friction. The work of sweeping adds heat to the ice and so the rock rides on a more "watery" surface which has less friction. So directional sweeping works because it reduces the friction on the side being swept (and possibly pushes debris over to the non-swept side to increase drag on that side). It's sad to see a sweeper, when the skip calls for direction sweeping, reach over the rock and sweep the wrong side and just watch for missed shots when this is done. The TH-cam image for this video shows how to sweep wrong.
@tonyhladun9081 that’s cool you have a degree in physics with everything you’ve explained.
I do value Jamie’s points in this video because 1.) She’s been doing this for ~25+ years 2.) She’s a professional curler and plays in the Scotties and 3.) She mentions in the beginning of her video that these are things she’s learned and her beliefs in directional sweeping because there are a lot of different theories out there.
Just something to keep in mind. Good Curling! 🥌
Thanks for taking the time to watch my video :)
I forgot you’re a pro
@@LuisSanchez-bf8kq Call me stupid if you like, but skips are now calling for the corner sweep and watch what happens when the sweepers reach over and sweep the wrong side.
@@tonyhladun9081 can you provide some clips from the Brier or Scotties or some other examples? I’d like to see what it looks like that you are referencing.