Two Schools of Curling Runback Thought

Before we get into the result, it is important to look at the history. 

Years ago, a runback was something you played when you’re screwed. “Well skipper, looks like all we got is the run in on that guard.”

The runback was a defensive shot. That began to change in the 1990s with Kevin Martin and Russ Howard. 

Martin and Howard started to throw them on front-end rocks. These skips put the broom where they wanted their teammate to hit the stone, and called for peel. Throw it hard, and hit it on the nose.

The Bruce Mouat team changed the way to think about runbacks. They throw runbacks with board weight. Any guard that’s theirs in play is a weapon, not a crutch.

They play chip shots off guards. Really precise shots that when executed, end up with their rock in the rings and no more guard. A peel with benefits, basically.

They are not just the best team in the world, they are a team playing a new game.

But they lost to a team of old guys.

The Jacobs team plays the game most teams play. Put the broom where you want to hit it and throw the rock. Throw the rock hard. Make the runback. None of this board weight (or eleven crap).

Team Canada are a team of buddies. Pals. This doesn’t mean that Mouat’s team are not buddies; it means Team Canada gives off the vibe of buds. Not a super team.

What can you say about that ninth end?

A lot, I think. It appeared that Mouat wanted Jacobs to score, and refused to let them blank. Of course, they didn’t want to risk dropping a three or four.

As the team that kind of invented the board weight runback, what hurt them in the ninth end was the peel weight doubles that missed the rock and rolled out. A few board weight hit and rolls, and they might group rocks and set up a more makeable double later in the end.

That’s all hindsight though. The game was entertaining. No blank ends, a lot of rocks in play every end. Drama. Lead changes. Control changes.

Gold and bronze for Canada. Overall, a decent showing at the Olympics.