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Curling TipsRock Placement StrategyIn deciding where to place rocks, the most important strategic factors are the Free Guard Zone (FGZ), the score, and who has the hammer. The team without the hammer will tend to place rocks toward the middle of the sheet to control access to the four-foot circle. The team with the hammer will tend to place rocks away from the middle of the sheet to keep access to the four-foot open, and create opportunities to score multiple points by "splitting the house." Conservative strategy largely ignores the FGZ and lead rocks are placed in the house. This is often done early in the game, or when your team leads by more than two points. Aggressive strategy utilizes the FGZ and lead rocks are placed in front of the house. This is often done once lead players have established their draw weight, or when your team trails by more than two points. It’s important to remember that each team’s strategy is aimed at both placing rocks where they want them and preventing their opponent from doing the same. Excerpt from the United States Curling Association's Fundamentals of Curling: Strategy |