Here are a few drills that will improve your technique. Whether you're a ringer or just an interested amateur these activities, along with some dedication, could have you playing like a seasoned pro. A little practice can put anyone in the winner's circle.

CLEARING THE HOUSE

This drill is all about removing obstacles. Place four rocks, or guys, in each corner of the house, forming a square. If you are using guys make sure it's friends, after all this is only a practice. Place four more rocks, or guys, in a smaller square inside the first one.

The object is to clear the house of all rocks or guys while leaving yourself and as many teammates as possible inside the house. Throw your rock, or your teammate, or yourself, down the rink in such a way that the rock or guy you hit will be removed, but also try to remain inside the house yourself. You get eight rocks to throw, or you and seven teammates. You get a score by adding up all the rocks, or teammates, including yourself, in the house and subtracting the number of opponent rocks or guys that are still in the house.

BUMPING THE ROCKS

This one is all about knocking your rocks, or friends, as close to the button as possible. Set up five rocks, or friends, in a row across the rink, or dance floor. Throw another rock, or yourself, into this row, trying to knock a rock or friend into the centre of the house, or a girl-here referred to as the button.

The rocks or friends farthest from the button are worth eight points. The next closest ones are worth six points. The middle and closest one is worth four points. Bonus points may be awarded if a rock or friend is actually inside the button. If using friends everyone should have a turn getting bumped. This is drill is great because sometimes a player must get to the button in an indirect way. If the first rock or friend fails don't get discouraged, the next one might succeed and then the previous rock or friend might make a good guard.

THE BRUSH OFF

This simple drill pits the thrower against the sweeper, or the guy against the girl. It's all about redirection. If playing guys against girls this drill serves a double purpose. The guy improves his aim while the girl becomes skilled at leading him away from the button, even leaving him outside the house.

The rock, or guy, tries to go straight to the button. The sweeper, or girl, tries to sweep away the rock or guy in an attempt to redirect or mislead. Rocks or guys can be led very far astray. If the sweeper or girl goes hard enough the rock or guy can end up dead outside the house. The thrower or guy has nine throws or chances. If five or more of them fail to score points in the house the sweeper or girl is the victor.

COACHING TIPS

Here are a few things to keep in mind when conducting curling drills or picking up girls.

1) Maximize your ice-time and/or bar-time. Don't waste it on things that can be done elsewhere. Remember, you're all out there to be ACTIVE.
2) Plan your approach. Knowing what you want to achieve when you curl and/or pick up girls will save you time.
3) Establishing routines will get you in the right mind-set. It's a good idea to have a warm-up before you do curling drills and/or pick up girls.
4) Try out different things in curling drills and/or picking up girls. How else will you find out what works and what doesn't?
5) Relax! Curling drills and/or picking up girls should be fun!