| Curling is played between two teams of | | | | advantage at the beginning of a game. |
| four curlers each, with team members | | | | The winner of the toss has the option to |
| named for the usual order in which they | | | | pick either last rock, or the colour of |
| play. The lead plays first, then the | | | | the rocks they wish to play with. In |
| second, the third, and finally the | | | | major tournaments, these decisions are |
| fourth; the fourth is typically the skip | | | | usually made beforehand. |
| (team captain) but not always. For | | | | Skip |
| example, Randy Ferbey throws third and | | | | The skip is the captain of the team and |
| Russ Howard throws second. The position | | | | determines strategy. Based on the |
| at which the skip (team captain) throws | | | | strategy, the skip holds the broom |
| will be renamed with skip. For example, | | | | indicating where the player throwing |
| Randy Ferbey's team will be lead, | | | | must aim ("calling the shot"). When it |
| second, skip, fourth, while Russ | | | | is the skip's turn to throw, the |
| Howard's team will be lead, skip, third, | | | | vice-skip (usually the third) holds the |
| fourth. | | | | broom. The skip usually throws the last |
| Lead | | | | two rocks of the end, however some teams |
| The lead, or first, throws the team's | | | | have the skip throwing in other |
| first two stones of an end, and sweeps | | | | positions. |
| for the other team members. | | | | The skip rarely does any sweeping, |
| Strategically, the lead usually has | | | | except in the house and behind the tee |
| similar shots from end to end, usually | | | | line. The skip is required to stay out |
| throwing guards or draws. | | | | of the playing area when it is the other |
| Second | | | | team's turn, but he is allowed to sweep |
| The Second throws the team's Third and | | | | stones in motion behind the tee line as |
| Fourth stones and sweeps for all other | | | | a result of their shot. (In |
| players. | | | | International rules, the player in |
| Third | | | | charge of the house is the only player |
| Also called the vice-skip, vice or mate, | | | | allowed to sweep their opponent's stones |
| the third throws the team's fifth and | | | | behind the tee-line. For most of the end |
| sixth stones, and usually sweeps for the | | | | that is the skip, but when the skip is |
| second and the lead. The third usually | | | | throwing the vice-skip takes charge of |
| assists the skip in his or her duties. | | | | the house.) |
| When it is the skip's turn to throw, it | | | | Fourth |
| is usually the third who holds the broom | | | | The "fourth" refers to the thrower of |
| for the skip. | | | | the last two stones in each end for a |
| After each end (round of play), the | | | | team if that player is not the skip. |
| thirds for both teams must reach an | | | | That is, if the skip does not play last |
| agreement about which team scored and | | | | rocks in each end, the last player to |
| how many points. If there is a | | | | throw is known as Fourth. |
| disagreement, or uncertainty, the thirds | | | | Team naming |
| may measure the rocks to see which ones | | | | Except in international or some national |
| are closer. At this time, only the | | | | and provincial events in Canada and the |
| thirds are allowed in the house. In | | | | United States, a team will usually be |
| major tournaments, the scorekeeping is | | | | identified by the last name of the skip. |
| left to an official. Depending on the | | | | For example, Cassandra Johnson's |
| tradition, when the third's team scores, | | | | foursome is known as "Team Johnson," |
| the third will record it on the | | | | unless they are representing the United |
| score-board. | | | | States in the World Championships or the |
| Depending on the tradition, the third | | | | Olympics, in which case they would be |
| may flip a coin with the opposing third | | | | known as "Team USA". |
| to determine who will have last rock | | | | |