Ladies, ladies, ladies, please make my prediction on page 1 come true, "women will out curl men (Brier men) in the new millennium!"
    I put up this site and study curling 1,000's of hours to NOT make people mad at me but to HELP them excel and make me continue to think in my retirement! What looks like criticism; however, is CRITICISM.
Why is it there only two women in the Hearts who dares curl like the men? That's right. Only two women have thrown away the CCA manual and Linda and Ray tapes like all men have that played in the 99 Brier and all but one in the 99 Worlds. Even Jeff, who is featured in the tapes, doesn't use their techniques.
Specifically, one case "the holding of the brush."The student is in the "aim"at brush squat stage. On delivery, the brush hand is across from the rock hand.
The "crutch" is an adaptation of this brush holding configuration that all PRO men use (some use the corn broom). Why? They have long forgotten the CCA Manual and have adapted to conform to the laws of physics/kinesiology. What does this brush holding "system" do to help the curler? Please note a feature that is wrong in the picture is: The brush crutch should be inboard more nearly against the rock and then the rock will be between the eyes. One half of Colleens crutch brush head should be cut off or simply re-glued offset left.
A side outreached brush is necessary for beginners but different than the style taught by the CCA. It is a real brace method to be discarded after learning the slide and then moving to the above style.

1. This brush holding system still provides stability for those of you who do not straight flat foot slide and or knee slide in which case you don't need a crutch at all! Anne M. please observe the knee slider on another page. It will protect that right knee and you will "finally" be able to relax in your very difficult delivery. It can be "fun" to slide instead of straining every muscle in the body and bending the outstretched brush handle. WW, Wobbly Werenick needs the same device.
The arms are parallel and EXTENDED with the rock under the nose/between eyes and not out to one side which leads to the x-fire/start the rock off the brush line of sight. So you are "forced" to reach for the brush.
2. The shoulders are level which means the head/inner ear (your balance computer) is level. The eyes are level/equidistant from target and are transmitting accurate distance and LINE information. If you tip your head in the delivery, you might as well stay home and watch curling on TV. In the picture of the flat brush technique, the left hand is lower but when you final release you drop the right shoulder further to the rock side. The flat brush is too low, however. Colleen still dips a shoulder slightly because the "crutch" is 3" to tall (her left hand is up too high).
I pick on Colleen a little because even as good a curler she is, she is still trying to be better. Also, she is my personal lady icon (never mind curling) as are a few other gals because: She and other ladies look after a family, job, and their sport. No matter the results of any competition, respect is due.
    Women (most) are conformists. That is why you use the CCA manual as your bible. And unfortunately you don't know the best teaching methods but fortunately (most of you ladies are CCA coaches) as well and teach kids -- because you do care -- deeply.
    Women (as a whole) are better suited mentally than men to do delicate assembly line work because they have the genes to try to make things/babies right --i.e., follow directions in a VERY conscientious manner -- to make something as best they can according to the manual as taught to them.
    The HEARTS break my heart to watch. You ladies are trying to do your very best and ARE doing the best with the tools given you. However; the delivery and brushing techniques you use are seemingly purposefully designed to make things difficult. You are not using your ally, (Mother Nature) help.
Now that I tried to not make you too mad; I will now make you damn mad!
Brushing
   Even after 1 game, your body probably aches all over and you did a terrible job (percentage wise) of brushing the rock. The only thing to be added here is: Study "brushingstance.htm and illegalbrushing.htm" Learn the two rock delivery and study the techniques presented for yourself. But that takes extra work? And if you want to save body pain -- Brush Upright!!. Your efficiency goes up while strain goes down. Not one gal at the Hearts use the efficient upright stance.

DELIVERY
    The crutch used by Colleen is the closest thing to the right delivery aid available EXCEPT the two handed delivery with both hands on the rock and release with one AND NO CRUTCH at all used.
Colleen is not using the "crutch" correctly. The crutch she is using is 2" to tall. The left hand should be precisely at the same height as the delivery hand to make the shoulders precisely level and out front just as far as the release hand.

    Now, what is the second thing you are trying to accomplish with the crutch: Square shoulders with the line of sight to the brush. The users of the crutch do not use it correctly. In the first place, the phony brush head (to meet CCA rules) should be 1/2cut off on the rock side. Why? The crutch should be right up against the rock on slide out delivery.
What does this method do to help your delivery?
    IF the delivery arm is fully extended, the crutch should be fully extended and against the rock. This insures all the benefits hoped to be gained by using the crutch. Both arms are extended and reaching out to the brush target. You are very nearly at the two handed delivery now! So throw away the crutch and use two hands on the rock handle?
    The added benefit of having both arms fully extended is: The rock IS under the nose/between eyes and you now have a chance to hit the brush IF you pushed out and followed with the body on the same line. You are now using most of the benefits of the two handed delivery EXCEPT: You start the rock off from the hack with one hand instead of two hands/arms (which are stronger) and two hands more nearly assures your push out is on the target line of sight.)
Much more to come as I watch you ladies struggle. I do feel for the downtrodden who may not have the best coaches and the Shrinks available like Team Canada. It doesn't take a shrink/psychologist to know why Colleen did so poorly last year in the Worlds. Team Canada had 1 lead and 3 skips. Please note any team now playing in which the 3'rd is curling under 70%. You will see the 3'rd discussing, discussing and re-discussing every shot with the skip EVEN while still in the hack to make a delivery. You(3'rd) must shut down "creativity" when it is time to throw. -- The right side of the brain (creative) side will overtake the left side of the brain which regulates muscle motor skills and confuse signals from the sensors to the brain for re-transmission to the the effectors/muscles. You can not go to the hack with the 9 possible outcomes of your delivery. Yes, the two variables of weight and line can produce 9 ( plans A-I ) possible shot results. Strategy input from the team is valuable (in moderation) and it must be very pertinent. The skip should think of these 9 possibilities as the rock is delivered AND the shooter is to ONLY think (envision) hitting the brush at the called weight and not ANY hoped for stopping point.  It's really very simple.
In curling, unless your coach is disabled, there is no reason why he or she cannot curl better than those being coached if the coach uses proper technique as well as attempting to teach it. The coach should be able to "Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk."
    Ladies, you must play in the "men's" league or super league at your club IF you have any desire to improve your game. You must play against AND OBSERVE/LEARN better player techniques to improve your game. Raw strength is not a factor in curling. Technique -- strategy, technique -- delivery technique, technique -- brushing smarts (method and application) is what counts in the curling game.
    If you watched the GMC cashspiel playdowns (Martin/Despins), March19, 2000, you saw the critical shots that could have been made easily IF the shooter could throw both left handed (inturn was needed) and right handed. Have you noticed Martin deliberately playing to the outturn side lately to defeat his opponents?  Even the pros are poorer shooters with the outturn. This is advanced strategy at its best IF Martin could throw a left handed inturn!