strategy2

The Go-around
    The skip is slapping his brush on the top 8' for the Blue go-around shot. Many times a skip will drag his brush through an arc to show the shooter it is OK to stop at any of several spots. THIS IS WRONG! The skip should slap the 8', place the target brush, and the shooter then only thinks of hitting the brush alignment at the ONE weight requested. Of course, the skip is thinking of the other 8 spots at which the rock may stop. The shooter is to envision only one shot at the target brush and at the weight requested.
   After release, and as weight information is relayed from the brushers, the skip will re-evaluate his strategy. For example in this case, by slapping the 8', if the rock slid to the top 4' or stopped at the top 12', the shot was made accurately.
    The shooter should think/envision hitting the brush at the weight called AND NOT THE ROCK'S TERMINATION POINT.
    If the shooter envisions the rock's final resting place, he is certain to throw inside the brush, crash the guard or throw heavy or light.

"BETWEEN" ROCKS DELIVERY
Scenario 1
Red set a long guard on centerline with the intent to steal. Blue was not "suckered" into the center of the house just yet and put up a corner guard in the attempt to score 2 or more with the later come-around to the side 8-12 foot. (Defensive play would dictate going around with the Blue rock before putting up a corner guard). Strategy then is: "Beat the opponent to the punch."
    Red's second shot has slipped too deep behind the T-line allowing blue to now "sit on top." The Red rock is now a "rock for" the Blue team (Blue advantage).
   The Blue rock was correctly delivered with the inturn. The inturn for a rightee will bury more because the rock delivery "source" is on that side of centerline (delivery line angle is less and will bury more by 3-6"). Also, Blue avoids the "go-between two guards" scenario which can lead to a hit and roll behind cover for Red.
    Personally, I now only throw inturns (no outurns) because I deliver both leftee and rightee (as of 3/1/2000.
I threw 3 100% games in March!. On straight ice, with only inturns, I can bury from either side of centerline AND can hit any rock that has a perfect inline guard of 6' or more.
The curling shot of the future is here now.

    Now, how deep do want your Blue to go and what is the best "path" to take?
How deep?
    Of course, bury if you can, by extending travel with brushing while staying in front of the t-line or you will give Red another opportunity to sit on top of your rock and be "shot." Sometimes, "showing an edge" is advantageous if you want the opposition to "burn" rocks by hitting and rolling out (you are up 2 or more near end of game).
    Since Red is far enough behind the t-line such that a freeze will also put Blue behind the t-line, I suggest staying high with Blue (call off brushing) and if it is hit may jam on Red. NOTE: You will brush to freeze even behind the t-line if there is no guard out front and the opposition can "pick it" off AND you do not have hammer and must have a rock in the house to limit scoring..
    When Blue is high in the house (above t-line) it can guard the button and be promoted (tapped up) at the will of the Blue team later. This "high" rock placement situation forces Red into action and maybe an error.
Best path for Blue rock to take?
    Note where Blue is now? Any hit by Red will cause their rock to rebound away from guards, so if Red stays in the house you may have an open hit.
Scenario 2: Now consider if Blue was delivered (out turn) "between" two rocks which can become potential guards for the opposition teams rock after a hit and roll behind "cover" (your Blue guard).
    Blue may not be fully buried leaving Red an opportunity to hit and roll either behind their red guard or your Blue guard (especially if they have a leftee throwing).
    So avoid going "BETWEEN" guard rocks when drawing into the house to avoid the opposition getting a good hit and roll/bury opportunity.

Between Delivery
Scenario 2
Red has set a long centerline guard. Blue put up corner.
Red put rock in front of t-line. Blue figure they can not tap back so set an angle guard to hit into Red later.
Now, if Red has a leftee shooter and or there is 3' of curl, Red can hit the Blue rock and roll behind their Red rock only (vs. 2 guards had you gone between) because you delivered to the open side with no Blue guard to roll behind.
Blue shooting: The rightee outturn is the best shot leaving your Blue rock guarding a part of the 4' and in a position for the opposition to jam on their rock or you can promote/tap up the rock later.
Again, avoid drawing between guard rocks which may give the opponent an opportunity to hit and roll/bury behind cover.
E-mail suggestions or your views.