As you might surmise, the last end of a game is a crucial end in many ways. Here the strategy is almost the same, whether you are tied, ahead or behind by several points.
1. If you do no not have the hammer, but are ahead by 2 or more, play as in 3). If you do not have the hammer but are ahead by one, play the game to, at worst, only concede one point and go into an extra end with the hammer.2. If you do not have the hammer and are behind by one or two, your main concern here is to ensure that as many of your rocks stay in play; ensure your team talks it over in the hack and remind one another that light is better than heavy on draws, and tight better than wide on take-outs. Remember that the opposition will try to hit any one of your stone it can see.
Keep putting stones 6 feet or so, in center front of the house until the opposition misses a take-out or has a nose hit on one of your guard; then start coming around any guard left. If the opposition removes a guard or a counter, replace them; if they manage a double take-out, start all over again. On any take-out you call, look for the roll behind any existing guard.
3. If you have the hammer, and are ahead or tied, you must keep the house and the front of the house free of anyone’s rock including your own.If the opponent’s first rock is in the house, clear it and roll out; if it is in the free guard zone, attempt to move it to the side or even consider having your lead throw his first rock through.
With your lead’s second shot, you can call any shot, so clear a guard or a counter or call it through the house; do not be fancy and try to come around or freeze unless it is to the very side of the house.
Call for the maximum take out weight that the thrower is comfortable with and look for the rolls.
If when your second or third comes up and the house is clear, consider a draw to the side of the house and just biting the 12 foot, or call it through.
If with your first skip’s rock, the house and the front are clear, place your shot to the side; if there is a stone in the house or in front or both, clear one or the other or both. You must not give the opposition a chance to come around or freeze to you or to protect one of theirs.
4) If you have the hammer but are behind by two or more, play as in 2) above. Your objective is to have stones in play, preferably biting the 12 foot.
5) When the time comes for your last shot, do take the time to think and to calm yourself down. Remember that if you are throwing your last rock, it is because there is a good possibility that if you succeed you will win or tie the game.
6) If you are behind by three or more, with or without the hammer, start thinking about the good time you will all be having in the lounge or during your next game. You can also start muttering about the ice quality, the reliability of your team, the air temperature; avoid complaining about the fluke shots of the other team.If with your last rock, there is an opponent’s stone only in the house, consider a take out with your most comfortable weight unless you absolutely need a freeze; before throwing the rock, remind yourself that you need only to hit and roll ( if you are ahead by 1 or more) or hit and stay (if you are tied or behind). Do take your time; if you are nervous ( aren’t we all then), the main danger is to be heavy ( darn that adrenaline). If the shot is a freeze, leave the sweepers to themselves, and the calling of the line to your vice-skip; they are usually closer to the play and have a better perspective than you as you lay flat on the ice or are scrambling after the stone ( usually a no-no). After all, what do you pay them for?
If with your last rock, there are several in the house or one behind a guard, call for a shot that has the highest chance of succeeding; if it is a draw or freeze, look for pockets or backing that will help you if you are a bit heavy. If it is a take out, discuss the shot with your sweepers and ensure that they know the kind of weight you will be throwing; do not keep them in the dark.
7) If you are ahead by three or more, sympathize with the other skip as he mutters along, but do not become complacent or lackadaisical; many teams have been behind by that amount and have tied and won in the extra end.
Good Curling
Norm D.
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