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World Curling Media

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.

Prohibited and Permitted Sweeping Technique Video Explainer

World Curling have created a quick guide to demonstrate prohibited and permitted sweeping techniques. As a reminder, all permitted sweeping techniques fall under R8 in the Rules of Curling:

R8. SWEEPING

(a) Sweeping can be in any direction (it need not cover the entire width of a stone), the brush head must not be raised in front of a moving stone, must not deposit debris in front of a moving stone, and sweeping must finish to either side of a stone.

World Curling is committed to providing our Umpires and Member Associations a comprehensive resource to ensure all officials receive the appropriate support and information to allow for the enforcement of the policy.

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