|The Curling Manual|
Table of Contents
Section 13 Junior Curling
Junior curling is a broad term that includes all young curlers up to their senior year in high school (12th grade). Juniors provide many things to a strong curling club. They are the future of most clubs as life-long league members and in some cases, the championship players of the next generation. Whether you're a program coordinator, instructor or just a Sunday afternoon helper, this section will help you understand how young people learn and develop as curlers.
For curling to be a positive experience for the kids, they must HAVE FUN FIRST. A bad experience early will lose them forever. Please concentrate on the kids having fun first. For the youngest curlers, fun means combining some non-curling activities into the curling day. Knocking down bowling pins, short games, etc. will help keep the youngest curlers interested. As they grow and transition through the different age categories, playing real games and learning the sport will be fun enough. Also, having fun will always ensure a good learning environment.
Before the early 1990's, junior curlers threw the 42 lb regulation size rocks. This was fine with the older juniors but if you couldn't throw them the full sheet, you could not curl. Today, children of almost every age can enjoy the sport starting with smaller, junior rocks. These rocks are half the weight of a regular rock. With proper instruction and realistic expectations, children as young as five years old can learn the sport of curling and have fun on the ice. Many curling clubs around the world have junior rocks for use by the smaller kids.
This section describes:
Recruiting Young Curlers
The vast majority of young curlers today are the children of existing club members. In an attempt to build a strong junior program, the Junior Coordinator must look outside the club for young members a well.
Curling at the Olympic Games, televised in the United States on the NBC stations, has dramatically elevated the level of curling awareness. Instead of the old "word of mouth" recruiting style, clubs can take advantage of the television coverage. This dramatically helps clubs recruit juniors outside the member base.
There are two approaches for recruiting young people.
Approach #1 is better suited for clubs that need overall member support. Approach #2 is better suited for clubs at or near capacity during the evening but are looking for other day-part curling. In either case, there are plenty of young people out there looking for an after-school activity. Fortunately, curling is a sport that be enjoyed by people with a varying degrees of skill and athleticism.
Three selling points can be used with non-curling parents.
Most young curlers (and adults) will agree that attending a bonspiel was a deciding factor when deciding to stay with curling. Try to get the young recruits to a local bonspiel as early as possible. Of course, the out-of-town bonspiel is usually more appealing particularly with the high school age curlers.
Categorizing Young Curlers
CurlTech categorizes young curlers into three groups:
Each group has their own skill standards they can work toward and a set of expectations from the instructors.
For the purpose of instruction, training and social interaction, we separate kids into groups first by grade. As appropriate, the separation criteria can also include age and then, as they are transitioning from junior rocks to big rocks, by ability. Try to keep peers together if they're in the same grade. Difficulties arise when trying to keep grade-different friends together. Siblings also represent a challenge when transitioning through the categories, particularly if the category sessions are at different times.
The following categories may help your instructional program.
The Youth Curling category is further defined by skill, maturity and experience. This age group begins to properly develop curling skills and like all sports, develop at different rates. They should be split into two sub-groups. Use colors (Green and Blue) instead of A and B. Colors are more neutral and don't imply better or worse.
In the Youth category, split the young curlers as follows:
The Green group kids are the younger Youth Curlers (grades 2-4, ages 7-9). They are becoming more comfortable with the delivery but can't throw the adult rocks yet. Think of all your Youth Curlers as Green Group until they can throw the adult rocks, and then move them up to the Blue category.
Notice the Green/Blue overlap at grade four. This "flex" area gives the coordinator some flexibility when transitioning this age group. It is perfectly acceptable for a fourth grader to stay in the Green group if he or she is having trouble with the mechanics. It is also acceptable to transition a fourth grader into the Blue group. If they have friends in the program that are the same grade, try to keep them together.
Preparing Your Club
Your club, ice and equipment will need some special attention to accommodate young curlers. The capital investment is minimal and the eventual payoff for your club regarding young curlers is huge. Get the buy-in from your Board and begin your program.
Dues for Young Curlers
Clubs should offer a dramatically reduced rate for the young curlers. Choose a dues rate that allows the parents to easily get the kids involved but don't give away your program by under-selling it. A good program has value and should not be undersold. Fees in the $30 to $50 range work well. Don't try to make money on the kids. They will be life-long full dues paying members later on. In fact, ask your Board to subsidize the junior program.
There a several equipment items your club will need for the Junior Program (see Figure 13-1). The most important are:
Smaller size (junior) rocks
Full, slip-on sliders
You'll need two types of rocks. Your normal rocks will be used for the older, larger kids. A set of smaller rocks is required for the younger, smaller kids. The junior rock with granite inserts work best. Google "curling rock manufacturers" for rock dealers.
Small rocks are used by the Little Rockers and Youth Green curlers. The regulation size rocks are used by the Youth Blue and Junior curlers.
The sliding device is used by all of the young curlers in your program until they can transition to a broom for sliding. They come in many sizes and shapes. You will need several sliding devices since all of the Little Rockers and half of the Youth curlers use them. You can purchase them or make them yourself.
Always use full slip-on sliders. Purchase one slider for every young curler on your list. . If necessary you can de-rate them (make them slower) by covering the Teflon with duct tape.
Cut off some brooms for the younger kids. Brooms should be about chest high for proper sweeping.
Your youngest curlers (Little Rockers) will be throwing the rocks using a half sheet. There are two ways to accomplish this. Build a hack device that can be inserted half way down the ice (Figure 13-2) or paint a full size house half way down.
The younger curlers have a difficult time throwing the rocks the full length of the ice. Make sure your ice is prepared before each session. Scrape the ice, apply a small pebble and nip if you can. Try to have 24 second (minimum) ice for the start of the day. The faster the ice, the better.
Make sure there plenty of kids-type snacks ready for junior day. For each break period, have plenty of water, juices and healthy snacks for the young curlers to eat. Avoid soft drinks and low-nutrition snacks. Try sliced oranges and apples.
We recommend having uniform jackets for your junior program. Use the club colors and have the first names of the kids on the front. The club can provide these or each curler can pay for their own. Encourage them to wear the uniforms at practice and at bonspiels. The names on the jackets also help the instructors remember kids during instruction.
Scheduling Ice Time
Work with your Board to schedule a dedicated time for the junior program. Depending on how many kids you have you should ask for at least two sessions per week, one on the weekend and one during the week after school. The minimum amount of time must be two hours on each day. Since your volunteers will be available on weekends, teach the mechanics. Possibly use a week day time for a junior league.
Staffing Your Program
In addition to the Junior Program coordinator, you will need at least one instructor per sheet of ice. Add an instructor if you have a lot of Little Rockers. If you plan on adding new kids to the program during the year, you will need another instructor to work one-on-one with new kids. Also, a volunteer in the kitchen each session is needed to gather and serve smacks during break time.
Use the following as a guideline for staffing a three sheet club with 5 Little Rockers, 8 Youth Green, 8 Youth Blue and 12 Juniors.
Fortunately the parents of the kids usually volunteer to instruct.
Transitioning Through the Categories
Some subjectivity is necessary when moving the kids through the different categories. School grade should be the first determining factor when moving through the categories. Three other things will also help determine whether or not a young curler should move up:
Grade and Age
The program categories are based mainly on school grade. Keep in mind that in any given grade, the ages could differ by as much as two years.
Skill and Maturity
Skill training in each category is based on the skill standards. All young curlers should be trained to meet the standard in their last year of their category. Some may reach the goals early but social reasons should keep them with their peers. Skilled curlers can move into a higher category but only if the social maturity is there.
Most of your young curlers will advance through categories by grade. There will be some curlers that can advance (or not advance) at different times. A mature four-year old that can focus for two hours may enter the Little Rocker program by exception. Little Rockers transitioning to Youth Green is a softer transition, meaning the distinction is less clear between the skill sets. Green transitioning to Blue is also a soft transition where grade advancement is not as critical. Once again try to keep peers together by grade.
The transition between Youth Blue and Junior (teenage) is absolute because the seventh grader is turning thirteen during this school year. This means a seventh grader MUST play in the Junior category.
Preparing Your Instructors
The key to a successful program is a strong volunteer group. Recruit competent parents and club members to instruct at the junior sessions. Try to find volunteers that are already certified instructors. Since many of the volunteers are parents, you may not have enough certified instructors. If there are certification courses available in your area, ask your volunteers to take the course and become certified at the entry level. You may want to conduct a Junior Instructor Certification course at your club before the start of the season. Certify each on-ice volunteer as a Junior Instructor, even if it's only a local or club certification. This will help ensure consistent instruction across the program. Once you have identified volunteers to be instructors, follow these steps.
*Child safety in all categories should be a main concern of your program. Like other youth sport coaching, require your instructors to submit a CORI report or something similar. This will help protect the children and your club. Contact your national association for recommendations regarding this process.
The Curling School uses a standard five-step skill training process. It is very important that the trainer use this process for all skills training. The following steps are the industry standard in skill training. More information can gathered in the Teaching Curling Section of this manual.
Step 1 Review material
Repeat steps 3-4 as needed. Repeat steps 2-4 if necessary.
One of the most important steps is to demonstrate the skill properly, as described in this manual. Demonstrating a skill using "your" method will reduce results and not allow the kids to meet the proficiency standards. Review the Delivery and Sweeping sections before you demonstrate any skills.
Teaching to the Standards
Teaching standards come in two categories;
CurlTech has defined the achievable proficiency standards for each category. Each category section will describe the standards for each group. It is very important that the instructors teach to the standard and not to some arbitrary skill level. This manual provides the structure for properly developing and measuring skills for young curlers.
Curling is a team sport and performance is difficult to measure. CurlTech does not set performance standards for young curlers.
Proficiency vs. Performance Standards
Proficiency is a player's ability to demonstrate a skill while performance is based on any other variables. Demonstrating a balanced delivery does not mean the player can make shots. Shot-making ability is a performance standard. Performance comes from skills, knowledge and experience. In our junior program, we do not have performance standards due to the relative inexperience of the players. However, when the juniors get older and play on more teams, performance standards are more relevant to the program.
Start thinking about performance standards for the older group. The following are examples of performance standards.
Individual Performance Standards
Team Performance Standards
Curling Mechanics for Young People
Just like adults, we teach the no-lift, balanced, flat-footed delivery. The mechanics are the same for adults and kids. The sweeping standard for juniors is also the same. We teach upright sweeping with the inside arm down and two grippers. The biggest difference in teaching kids verses adults is the level of proficiency and expectations.
Review the CurlTech Delivery or the Delivery Quick Reference in the Delivery Section.
Balance is the Foundation
We teach adults to throw the rock balanced. It is the foundation of a good delivery.
"Balance" refers to the body positioned over the sliding foot with no appreciable pressure on the broom, rock or trailing leg. This results in a straight slide. Although it's preferred, it is not necessary to slide perfectly balanced over the slider.
Because of individual skill differences, young curlers begin to balance on the slider foot at different ages. Generally speaking, grades K-3 have a very difficult time balancing on the slider. As their bodies grow and they develop leg strength, they can begin to slide balanced. We use a sliding device for all young curlers until they can slide balanced. When they begin to slide balanced (roughly fourth grade), take away the sliding device and replace it with a broom. If they cannot balance reasonably without a sliding device, allow them to continue using it for another year.
Little Rockers (Kindergarten and 1st Grade)
Experience has proven that kids as young as five can enjoy curling. Start your youngest kids in the Little Rocker category. Require a parent stay in close proximity to their child either on the ice or just behind the glass. This allows the instructor to easily remove a disruptive curler. If a Little Rocker's behavior is preventing the others from having fun and learning, ask the parent to remove them from the ice. A well-timed "time-out" can go along way with the child AND parent.
The Little Rockers can have fun with the sport even if they can't throw the rocks the full distance. Little Rockers use the small rocks only.
The Little Rocker curriculum is based on the following age appropriate standards.
Little Rocker Proficiency Standards
Before a Little Rocker advances to the next category (Youth Green), they should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
They should also have the following curling knowledge:
Testing for Learning
Kids see tests as punishment. However, without them we're not sure if our teaching is getting through. Occasionally test them against the standard. This can be casual and discrete. About every month, have the kids demonstrate a skill or ask them a curling question. If they can do it, your teaching is working. If they can't, either your teaching is failing or their not ready yet. In most cases, the child is simply not ready to demonstrate the skill properly and more repetition is needed. This is the case in the beginning of each category when the kids transition from a lower group. Remember, they have two or three more years to practice. As they get closer to the transitioning to a higher group, note any deficiencies and concentrate on them. Create a more formal test to judge whether they're ready to transition to another group.
Little Rocker Expectations
If you know anything about kids, you know this group has a very short attention span. Break up your sessions into 15 minute segments, maximum. Remember, at the early age, this group cannot properly balance on the sliding foot. They have a very difficult time standing on the ice much less balancing over a slider. Don't expect them to do so. They should slide with a sliding device and rock until they are comfortable releasing. They throw on a half sheet or to the hog line. Components of the mechanics that don't require motion can be taught like adults. For example, the proper setup position can be taught to any age. The grip on the rock and broom can also be taught.
With the proper equipment and instruction, Little Rockers can deliver rocks in a similar fashion to adults, even if it's only a few feet. Never ask a Little Rocker to throw the rock the full length of the sheet. Even though they may be able, improper mechanics is usually the result. Throwing half way is a much better way to get them comfortable with the delivery. Have them throw rocks and play games from the regulation hack to the closest hog line.
Little Rocker Equipment
Teaching the youngest curlers to put on the slider can be a challenge. Because of this, start right away with a full slider demonstration. Use duct tape covered slider for the absolute beginners. Once they feel more comfortable with a slippery foot, they can transition to a slip-on slider. The slider is for delivery only. Never ask them to slide around the ice with a slider. Because this group cannot balance properly over the slider foot, some assistance is necessary.
Remember, Little Rockers must use a sliding device when learning the proper delivery. This allows them to use downward pressure with the left arm to help support the body. You slowly wean them away from the sliding device when they get older. We've seen dramatic results with five year-olds when using a sliding device. When the child is big enough to balance on their own, remove the sliding device and have them slide balanced with a broom. This happens from ages 8 and up.
Also use a good pair of gripping shoes. Test the shoes for grip before sending the Little Rocker on the ice.
A shortened broom will help them develop a good sweeping grip and motion. Cut off some old brooms. The broom should be chest-high.
Teaching to the Skill Standard
Through repetition, Little Rockers can easily meet the proficiency standards stated earlier. Each session, you will review the three compulsory items:
The following are examples of sessions lasting an hour and forty five minutes. Alternate the sessions throughout the year.
Little Rocker Session #1
Fun Games for Little Rockers
Little Rockers don't play any regular games. They need a variety of activities to keep them interested. The same old delivery and sweeping drill get old fast. Below are a few examples of fun games and activities. Try your own as long as they stress the delivery and sweeping mechanics.
Bowling pins - Set up a few plastic bowling pins between the house and the hog line. Let the kids knock them down. This helps them with the concept of throwing the rocks in the right direction. Keep the pins close to the hog line to ensure proper delivery mechanics.
Short game - Have the kids play a game from the hack to the closest house. Split them up into teams and coach them through an end or two. This teaches them the basics of shot calling. They may be able to use the adult rocks. This is not a delivery drill.
Closest to the Hog - As mentioned earlier, the little kids can't properly throw the full length. With a sliding device, they can demonstrate a proper deliver (without the balance) if they throw to the hog line. Play a game where the winner is the closest to the hog line without going over. Any rock that is over is out of play similar to a real game.
This game stressed the importance of the draw concept. Rocks should be removed from play if they cross the hog line, just like in a game. Remind them that curling is a finesse game.
Youth Curlers (grades 2-6)
The Youth age group is the most dynamic group because, during their time as Youth curlers, they are transitioning from small rocks to the regulation size rocks. Because of this, we further define the category by skill. This age group begins to properly develop curling skills and like all sports, develop at different rates. As they move from Little Rockers to Youth (2nd grade) some will grasp the delivery mechanics and others will not. In the Youth category, we split the kids into two groups, the Green and the Blue. The Youth-Green curlers (grades 2-4) are younger, smaller and less skilled. They will use the junior rocks. The Youth-Blue (approx. grades 4-6) group throws the regulation size rocks.
Since the two groups use different rocks, they must have dedicated sheets.
The Youth-Green Group (grades 2-4)
Youth-Green Proficiency Standards
Before a Youth Green advances to the next category (Youth Blue), they should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
They should also have the following curling knowledge:
Teaching to the Youth Green Standards
Like the Little Rockers, the goal of the program is to have the kids have fun AND learn the proper skills at the same time.
One third of the session should be dedicated to skill training. The other two thirds should be used for some type of game. For the first third of each session, have the kids perform the skill training drills for each standard. Each week use the stretching, setup, delivery and sweeping drills. Alternate each week with the remaining drills. The following is an example of a session lasting approximately two hours. An instructor must be present to correct problems during the drills. Just a few poor technique repetitions will cause lasting problems. Once the game starts, an instructor is need at each end of the sheet.
Testing for Learning
As with the Little Rockers you should occasionally test them against the standard. This can be casual and discrete. About every month, have the kids demonstrate a skill or ask them a curling question. If they can do it, your teaching is working. If they can't, either your teaching is failing or their not ready yet. In most cases, the child is simply not ready to demonstrate the skill properly and more repetition is needed. This is the case in the beginning of each category when the kids transition from a lower group. Remember, they have two or three more years to practice. As they get closer to the transitioning to a higher group, note any deficiencies and concentrate on them. Create a more formal test to judge whether they're ready to transition to another group.
Green Group Expectations
This group can begin to properly deliver a junior size rock, although they won't have full control of the delivery yet. They may or may not be able to throw normal weight takeouts. Like all categories, some kids will be able to slide over their slider foot without much weight on the sliding device. At grades 3 and 4, transition them from a sliding device to a broom. If they can't slide with reasonable balance, keep them on the sliding device.
The Youth-Blue Group (grades 4-6)
Youth-Blue Proficiency Standards
Youth-Blue curler advances to the Junior category for seventh grade regardless of skill. However, they should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
They should also have the following curling knowledge:
Again, the goal of the program is to have the kids have fun AND learn the proper skills at the same time.
One quarter of the scheduled time should be dedicated to skill training. The other three quarters should be used for a game. For the first half of each session, have the kids perform the skill training drills for each standard. Each week use the stretching, setup, delivery and sweeping drills. Alternate each week with the remaining drills. The following is an example of a two-hour session.
Testing for Learning
As with the Little Rockers and Youth Green groups, occasionally test them against the standard. This can be casual and discrete. About every month, have the kids demonstrate a skill or ask them a curling question. If they can do it, your teaching is working. If they can't, either your teaching is failing or their not ready yet. In most cases, the child is simply not ready to demonstrate the skill properly and more repetition is needed. This is the case in the beginning of each category when the kids transition from a lower group. Remember, they have two or three more years to practice. As they get closer to the transitioning to a higher group, note any deficiencies and concentrate on them. Create a more formal test to judge whether they're ready to transition to another group.
Blue Group Expectations
This group can begin to properly deliver a regulation size rock. They won't have full control of the delivery yet even though they think they should. They may or may not be able to throw normal weight takeouts. Like all categories, some kids will be able to slide over their slider foot without weight on the broom. This is the time to transition them from a sliding device to a broom. If they can't slide with reasonable balance, keep them on the sliding device.
The Youth Blue curlers are encouraged to purchase curling shoes (or have a slider built into a pair of sneakers) although a full slider can still work well at these ages. The value of curling shoes is in the sliding platform. With curling shoes, the sliding platform is much more stable than the slip-on slider and will increase performance.
Junior (teenage) Curlers (grades 7-12)
As a rule, the Juniors should be delivering with the broom and not the sliding device. The sliding device may still be used by exception.
Expect this group to want more autonomy during the session due to more adult-like behavior (at least with the older kids). Socializing is an important part of this group's junior session. An instructor is still necessary to provide feedback during drills.
Junior Proficiency Standards
At the end of the Junior program, they should be able to demonstrate the following skills:
Several pre-game stretching exercises
*Like adults, there are junior age curlers that cannot balance over the sliding foot. Never force them to slide with a broom if they can't balance reasonably.
They should also have the following curling knowledge:
Teaching to the Junior Standards
Again, the goal of the program is to have fun AND learn the proper skills at the same time. Playing games is a priority.
In the Junior category 1/4 of the scheduled time should be dedicated to skill training. The other 3/4 should be used for a game. For the first 1/4 of each session, have them perform the skill training drills for each standard. Each week use the stretching, setup, delivery and sweeping drills. Alternate each week with the remaining drills. The following is an example of a two-hour session.
Testing for Learning
As with the Little Rockers and Youth groups, occasionally test Juniors against the standard. This can be casual and discrete. About every month, have the kids demonstrate a skill or ask them a curling question. If they can do it, your teaching is working. If they can't, either your teaching is failing or their not ready yet. In most cases, the child is simply not ready to demonstrate the skill properly and more repetition is needed. This is the case in the beginning of each category when the kids transition from a lower group. Remember, they have two or three more years to practice. As they get closer to the transitioning to a higher group, note any deficiencies and concentrate on them. Create a more formal test to judge whether they're ready to transition to another group.
Junior Group Expectations
The Junior group should be treated like adults as far as skills and mechanics. There is a remarkable change in the ability to properly deliver a rock during the growth of the early teen years. We've seen twelve year-olds that can barely balance turn into thirteen year olds with perfect balance.
There will always be differences based on athleticism. Some juniors will be more proficient at the skills than others.
As the body begins to be more adult-like, the Junior curler can begin to slide and balance without problems. As for the delivery, you can expect as much from them as you could from adults. The younger ones that are just transitioning to Juniors may still have difficulty with takeout weight.
Junior Category Social Component
This is the age where social interaction becomes much more a part of curling. We recommend that all junior age curlers play on mixed teams (two girls, two boys, alternating positions) when part of your normal junior program. Junior age teams that want more competition may elect to form all boys and all girls teams to enter the national playdown process. Keep these teams and programs separate from you club junior program.
There will most likely be a huge difference in physical and social maturity in this age group since it spans from age 13 to 18. Try to place similar ages on teams and have them play each other.
Accepting New Kids in Your Program
Each year, your club accepts new young members. Some will have parents that curl. It's important that they enter the program properly. First, place the new curler into the appropriate grade category. An instructor will need to work individually with the inexperienced curler by acclimating them to the club and ice. For the next few sessions, the newer curler should receive individual attention until they are ready to work the drills and exercises with the experienced ones.
For example, a new 4th grader will join the Youth Green group and receive special attention for the first few sessions. A fifth grader is harder to place. You can place them in the Youth Green for a few sessions or place them directly into the Youth Blue.
New sixth and seventh graders should always be placed in the Youth Blue category due to the age differences between the Blue and Green. Again, special attention is needed to bring the new curler up to speed.
Seventh graders can start in the Youth-Blue if they don't have friends in the Junior category. They can also start in the Junior category. If starting in the Youth-Blue, move them up as soon as possible. Eighth graders should be placed into the Junior group.
In all cases, the new curler should come through the same development process that your existing players did. Start them with a sliding device and not a broom. Depending on their skill level, transition them onto a broom when they can properly use it.
Aging Out of the Program
The World Curling Federation age limit for the Junior Championships is 21. However, your local Junior program should only include junior high (middle school) and high school age curlers. Allowing the 19 through 21 year old group into your normal program and bonspiels could be a problem. Consider them adults (as they are since they're over 18) and encourage them to curl in the College Curling program, adult leagues and bonspiels.
Competitive Junior Programs at the Club
Your junior curling program at the club should be focused on the social aspects of the game. The social curler is the backbone of most clubs. Inevitably, some of your young curlers will seek a more competitive environment. We encourage clubs to develop programs for the more competitive as well. Keep them separate! Allowing your competitive teams to curl together in the social program and junior bonspiels will alienate the less competitive kids and your program will suffer. It's also simply not fair to allow your best players to play together in a social setting.
Set up another program at your club with different, more competitive goals and objectives. Give them a separate time slot. This program should include: