House Call: Deliver us from Judgement

Deliver us from judgement. What do I mean by that? I mean we all need to take it easy on ourselves. No two people have the exact same delivery. Sure, there are standards we teach. We emphasize a need for consistency. We also know that everyone comes in different sizes and shapes, everyone has different flexibility levels, different movement restrictions; everyone feels a different level of comfort on the ice or in their slide. This means that no two slides are going to be alike. When you learn the basics of the curling slide you’re taught a standard way of throwing. Everyone will need to modify the standards slightly to make it work. It’s ok to stray from the norm slightly but the more modifications you make the harder it will be for an instructor to help you later on. If you decide to slide with your broom dragging behind your back and you consistently make all your shots then power to you. Just remember, if with this unconventional delivery, you start to have problems you may have a hard time finding someone who can help you because your delivery doesn’t feature the same basic principles most deliveries do. You may watch different people in your league and spend time admiring their deliveries. It’s one thing to admire but be careful not to spend time comparing yourself. There’s no point. “If only I was more flexible; perhaps if I had stronger legs. I wish I could slide to the other end of the sheet.” What does this get you? Nothing more than a bad case of my-slide-sucks-itis. Try looking at your delivery as a means to making shots. It may not be perfect, it may not be pretty but if you’re making shots; who cares? If you feel like you’re aren’t consistently making enough shots take a lesson. Let someone else have a look at your slide objectively. It probably isn’t as bad as you think. Whatever you do, avoid comparing yourself to others. Everyone is different and it just isn’t fair to judge. Watch next week for more beginner tips.