Curling World Curling Tour to make the games only eight ends. Most tournaments on that tour are eight ends, as are the vast majority of recreational games. In international competition, each side is given 73 minutes to complete all of its throws. Each team is also allowed two minute-long timeouts per 10-end game. If extra ends are required, each team is allowed 10 minutes of playing time to complete its throws and one added 60-second timeout for each extra end. However, the "thinking time" system, in which the delivering team's game timer stops as soon as the shooter's rock crosses the
Skip (curling) Skip (curling) In the sport of curling, the skip (also called a "skipper") is the captain of a team. The skip determines strategy, and holds the broom in the "house" (target area) to indicate where a teammate at the other end of the curling "sheet" (playing area) should aim the stone. The skip usually throws the last two stones in the fourth position, but may play in any other position. Overall, the skip leads the team and provides strategic direction. The skip calls shots teammates to play, through verbal direction and physical gestures. In many cases, skips communicate the planned