6 January 2026
World Curling introduces Sweeping Technique Policy
World Curling, in consultation with the World Curling Athlete Commission, has introduced a new Sweeping Technique Policy aimed at determining the acceptable effects of sweeping and removing sweeping techniques that cause unacceptable effects on the stone.
The acceptable effects of sweeping determined in this policy are “to make the stone go further and to hold a stone straighter, while allowing for some enhancement of the curling trajectory.”
The prohibited techniques now include those that increase the rate of deceleration of a stone, such as:
- Single brush strokes (standard or knifing orientation) using primarily a push motion
- Single brush strokes that keep the brush on the ice while returning to its original position
- Single brush strokes that lift the brush head off the ice before returning to its original position
These techniques, along with others, when used with the intent of slowing down a stone are against the Statement of Principles and are now prohibited from use in competition.
Game Umpires have been given the authority to observe sweeping in World Curling competitions and should they see a violation, are empowered to remove the delivered stone from play following an official warning to the offending team.
Resources for brushes and sweeping can be found on our website here.
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