 Scenario: 10'th end GMC 2000 final. Martin up 2 without hammer. Martin's Insurance rock placement: Middaugh/Red tries a "sneaky 1'st shot " on the centerline (playing skins strategy) and Martin/Blue counters with a "sneaky 2'nd shot." I call this an "insurance" shot because insurance is not free. Students, as we all are, you see why I say, "don't try to memorize every situation but think out what is being handed you." Middaugh can sneak past with a part bury (4' of curl and be shot -50% for a pro) or corner freeze to the Blue and be shot (a 25% shot for a pro). Middaugh has to take 2 to gain an extra end. A different strategy is called for when playing a precise hitting team, Martin. Middaugh wants to draw the play to inside the 8', knowing the Martin team's ability to make double hits and remove rocks from play. Middaugh is using "skins" strategy (he needs 2 points) to put many rocks in play in the 8' area hoping to draw Martin in and for a miss. Martin realizes the plan and does not go-around to the top 4', but draws to the out 8' to keep all rocks spread apart (away from guards) for easy hitting. He wants to minimize rocks in play but can't throw every rock through either? He is challenging Middaugh to start a "hit" game. A better rock position is 2' higher and further out to the 12' (see light Blue rock) to avoid the bury-behind by Red. The Blue is in a position to be used for the Martin off-in hit on Red later. Blue is a little deep but in front of the t-line; however, too deep behind the t-line and Red will more easily freeze to it and be shot. Red needs to have a rock as second shot rock because they want 2 or more points and know the draw to the button will be, at least, #1 point for an extra end. Martin's worst scenario is Middaugh getting 2 forcing an extra end but Martin will have hammer so Martin is in the driver's seat and can gamble a little bit. Martin must keep Middaugh to 2 or less and Blue goes into ultra defensive "fewest rocks in play" strategy mode. Russ Howard should have used this strategy against McAulay in the Brier final. The basic strategy thought process is: What am I leaving the opponent to work with. No rocks in play in 4' -- no place to hide or freeze to with a score and I/Blue team have a rock/rocks in the house as second shot to neutralize Red rocks. |
 "Prairie Stop." I call this strategy the "prairie stop" because it is used by Sask. and Man. skips to stop the team with hammer from pulling play away from the 4' with the in-to-out go-around and bury. There are several strategy lessons here. Red is forced into heavy offense to get back in the game. They are down 3. Blue could have drawn deeper into the rings with their first rock which would be pure defense and would no doubt call for precision guards to protect the house rock. By placing rocks "high," Blue is playing "defense" with moderate "offense" because Blue is up 2 or more without hammer and will now dominate the "control" zone. 1. Note Blue has maximized their guards by leaving a 12-14" "challenge/crash" port. An attempt by Red to draw through the port will result in a Blue tap up behind cover or Red chip out. In most events, a missed draw yields a "burned" Red rock and/or draw of play to the 4' for a Blue steal opportunity. There is no hit and roll to cover because the Blue rocks are high in the 12'. 2. Seldom used because of "edge of ice frost fear," is the out-to-in bury. If you have a leftee 3'rd and are not using the rightee outturn around ( leftee inturn), you are missing an important strategy advantage. If your Red skip can throw leftee and rightee, the below out-to-in bury is invaluable because a rightee outturn cannot "reach" your buried Red rock and might even be chipped by Blue into the 4-8' with Blue roll out. 3. Blue is set up to tap up, draw/bury through Blue port or further plug the 4'. Blue is still in control, although, they do not have hammer. If Red hits Blue and sticks, the hit game is on which means Blue will minimize Red's scoring opportunities with a chance of a steal. 4. By NOT placing the first rock precisely on the centerline, and "knowing" Red will put up classic corner guards, Blue can throw light and be in the 4 rock no-hit zone or stop at top 12' or be a little heavy and stop at the top 4'. All of these scenarios are good shots and will keep the first rock in play making Red make further precise shot decisions. 
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