What is a hog line violation in curling?
B · Beginner · Stones in play · 4 of 5A player delivers from the hack using the handle and must let go before the hog line at the near end. The stone must then come to rest beyond the far hog line, unless it hits another stone. It is out of play if it crosses the back line or touches a side line. Breaking these rules removes the stone.
How it works
- Hack: right-handers from the left hack, left-handers from the right.
- Handle: the stone is delivered by the handle; touching the granite after the tee line removes it.
- Release: fully let go before the hog line at the delivery end.
- In play: once it reaches the tee line at the delivery end; before that it may be redelivered.
- Short: a stone that stops before the far hog line is removed, unless it struck a stone.
- Long: a stone that fully crosses the back line is removed.
- Side lines: a stone that touches a divider or side line is removed.
- Electronic handles: must be switched on; no glove on the delivery hand.
The glossary has the delivery, the hog line, the hog line violation, the hack, the handle and the lines of the sheet.
Tricky cases
A stone is still in the hand at the hog line. What happens?
It is removed from play at once by the delivering team.
The handle comes off during delivery. What then?
The player may let the shot stand or redeliver it after any moved stones are reset.
A short stone hits a guard and stops before the hog line. In play?
Yes. A stone that strikes another stone stays in play.
A stone is delivered from the wrong hack. What happens?
It is removed and any moved stones are put back.
Why the rule exists
Releasing before the hog line stops players from walking the stone closer and steering it longer. Requiring stones to pass the far hog line stops teams cluttering the sheet with short stones.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | In play at the tee line | WC R5 (g) |
| Wheelchair | In play at the hog line; delivered from a still chair | WC R14 |
| Electronic hog line system | Handle must be active; bare delivery hand | WC R11 (d) |
From the rule book
World Curling, The Rules of Curling and Rules of Competition (1 September 2026), rules R2 (e) to (h), R5 (c) to (g) and R11 (d). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Curling's rules, reviewed every year.