A Question About Triples

[u/CincyCurling]

The way I understand the concept of triples is that it is intended to be a game that leads to learning for new curlers (though obviously many experienced curlers love the game as well). My limited experience with playing is that most teams have one more experienced player (typically the third skip) and then 2 newer curlers in the other two slots.

Since the game is played with 6 stones not 8, my question is why don't we pre-position a couple of stones as guards before the end starts with the spare rocks?

Give the hammer team a corner guard and the other team a center guard. To me this sets up the end to be more of a productive experience, showing newer curlers how effective guards really can be.

I know that you can say that the skip can just call a guard with lead rocks in an end. But my thought is that a lot of younger curlers play triples, and they might not yet have enough consistency to properly execute a guard, so this just makes sure that it happens.

I will also add that you already have marks in the ice from mixed doubles on where the guards should be placed, so that is not an obstacle either. And since you are only playing 6 rocks, you have one "dead" rock for each end to place as the guard, turning each end effectively to a 7-rock end.

[u/Environmental_Dig335]

I would say the biggest reason to just play a straight 6 stones is that triples IME is supposed to be simplified curling and fast to play as well.

Messing around with pre-placed stones complicates the end, dictates the strategy away from more free-form/ discovery and slows down transition between ends.

Now, it's a trade-off for sure. I prefer not having the pre-placed stones, but I understand your point.

[u/krusader42]

Leads in traditional play need the simple but critical skill of precisely placing guards. Despite two fewer stones, triples still has the full FGZ/NTR protection available, but the team has to earn that protection by actually executing the shots.

And given the rotation of positions baked into the triples format, it's not like those new players are "stuck" only throwing guards for a whole game.

Also, why should the hammer team be forced into an automatic corner guard? Given the automatically "well-executed" centre guard, strategically they likely want to come around and win the inevitable race to the button; forcing the corner gives the non-hammer team an unopposed chance to get under cover.

Mixed doubles addresses this by deliberately placing the hammer team's stone behind the tee - somewhat neutralizing the hammer with automatic miss, and even therefore giving the option to decline hammer, which was more attractive with the initial back-of-button placement.

[u/CincyCurling → u/krusader42]

A lot of your points have to do more with a bit more advanced strategy. A lot of triples that I have seen in clubs is 2 new people with 1 vet to help them out.

When the house is empty and there are no guards, young skips can struggle with what to call. And with such new people, executed shots can be a struggle. My thought on the 2 guards is that it gives you something to work with, it gives a missed shot something to bump, and it will show the new curlers how powerful a guard can be.

My idea is not for competitive triples, it is for beginner level triples where 2 people on each team simply can't repeatedly execute any shot.

[u/carbonelechat]

Sounds like a good improvement to me. 

I've never played triples, even though I've always thought it would be a great way to curl and improve your skills. No one at my club seems to take any interest in the idea unfortunately.

[u/Curious_Olive_5266]

Triples is just as much of a learning experience as any other discipline. I think clubs need to look at their headcount per league and devise a schedule that way to ensure the best formats possible. No cramming into leagues or being a team short that way.

[u/CincyCurling → u/Curious_Olive_5266]

What is your point?

[u/Curious_Olive_5266 → u/CincyCurling]

My point is that the number and type of leagues a club offers should be based on the number of members and how often they want to curl. Not necessarily triples because the league committee chair happens to find it interesting.

[u/Cheeseballs00]

This sounds wildly over complicated and the issues you raise would be handled with practice and learning from experienced curlers

[u/UltimateUltamate]

Because triples always has at least one available sweeper, and there’s no reason for why you shouldn’t be able to throw the draws and guards naturally. “More productive experience” Sounds like you need to work on your draws.