In curling, the “shot rock” is the stone that is currently closest to the center of the target (the button) at the end of an end. If no other rock is nearer, that stone is the shot rock and will count for a point unless the other team can knock it away or place one closer.
Curlers say things like “We’re lying shot rock” or “That yellow one is shot” while watching play. Teammates sweep or guard it, and opponents try to freeze to it or bump it out. Fans and announcers point it out on TV, and scoreboards highlight which team owns the shot rock at any moment.
Meaning & Usage Examples
“Shot rock” = the closest stone to the button.
Examples:
• “Red is shot rock by half an inch.”
• “Takeout the yellow; if we miss, they keep shot rock.”
Common Use
You’ll hear it every end when players look down the sheet to judge distance. Coaches remind sweepers to protect the shot rock, and TV graphics flash a small dot or ring around it so viewers know which stone counts.
Can more than one stone be shot rock?
No—only the single closest stone to the button is the shot rock. Others are just “in the rings.”
Does the hammer affect who owns shot rock?
The hammer (last throw) can change who ends up with shot rock, but it doesn’t change the definition itself.
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