Contents
Profile
Ice stock sport
- Governing body
- International Federation Icestocksport (IFI)
- Germany
- German Ice Stock Federation (DESV)
- Popular in
- Bavaria, Austria, South Tyrol
- Target
- 'Daube' (wooden cube)
- Disciplines
- Team, target, distance
- Summer variant
- Stock sport on asphalt
Ice stock sport in brief
Ice stock sport (Eisstockschießen, also known as Bavarian curling) is deeply rooted above all in Bavaria, Austria and South Tyrol. On frozen ponds, in ice rinks and on asphalt lanes, teams shoot their ice stocks towards a target, the Daube. The sport combines precision, tactics and sociability and is played from village tournaments up to the World Championships.
The ice stock
An ice stock consists of a round body, a handle and an exchangeable running sole on the underside. Depending on ice conditions, players choose running soles with different gliding properties, similar to ski wax. The stock's weight and dimensions are limited by the rules.
The disciplines
- Team game: Two teams of usually four players play against each other. The aim is to get your own stocks closer to the Daube than the opponent's, or to knock opposing stocks away. One round is called a "Kehre".
- Target shooting: Individual players shoot at set targets with different tasks, such as knocking stocks away or placing them precisely. Points are awarded for accuracy.
- Distance competition: Whoever shoots their stock furthest wins. On ideal natural ice, distances well over 100 metres are achieved.
Ice stock or curling?
The two sports look related but differ clearly:
| Ice stock sport | Curling | |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Stock with a long handle | Granite stone with a short handle |
| Gliding surface | exchangeable running sole | running band of the stone |
| Sweeping | no | yes |
| Target | Daube | House with rings |
| Strongholds | Alpine region | Scotland, Canada |
History
Ice stock shooting on frozen lakes and ponds has been known in the Alpine region for centuries. Organised competitions developed in the 20th century. At the Olympic Winter Games 1936 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and 1964 in Innsbruck, ice stock sport was a demonstration sport.
The governing body is the International Federation Icestocksport (IFI); in Germany it is the German Ice Stock Federation (DESV). World and European Championships are held on ice and, in summer, on asphalt.
Getting started
Ice stock sport is a sport for all generations. Many clubs and rinks rent out lanes, and stocks are often provided. If you want to play regularly, you can find clubs via Teams & clubs.
Ice stock terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Daube | Target cube that play revolves around |
| Kehre | One round in the team game |
| Moarschaft | Traditional word for the team; the "Moar" is the team captain |
| Running sole | Exchangeable gliding surface under the stock |
| Summer stock | Stock sport on asphalt or synthetic lanes |
From the pond to the rink and onto asphalt
Traditionally the sport was played on natural ice. As mild winters become more frequent, it is increasingly moving into ice rinks and onto asphalt lanes that can be used all year round. Many clubs play on ice in winter and on asphalt in summer. This secures training and makes the sport possible even where no natural ice forms.
Ice stock sport: all encyclopedia entries
Ligen & Wettbewerbe
Associations
International Federation IcestocksportIFI
The IFI, based in Zurich, is the highest international federation for all icestock disciplines and organises world and continental championships.
Frequently asked questions
+What is the difference between ice stock sport and curling?
In ice stock sport, the equipment has a long handle and glides on an exchangeable running sole. There is no sweeping. Curling uses granite stones with a short handle, plus sweeping. The target in ice stock sport is the Daube; in curling it is the house.
+What is the Daube?
A small cube of wood or plastic that serves as the target. Points are scored for stocks lying closer to the Daube than the opponent's.
+Can you play ice stock sport in summer?
Yes, on asphalt lanes with special summer running soles. Stock sport is played all year round.
Sources & further links
- International Federation Icestocksport (IFI)
- Deutscher Eisstock-Verband (DESV)
- Wikipedia: Eisstockschießen
Editorially researched and checked against association and rulebook information. Found a mistake? Write to us via the Contact page.
Read more in the encyclopedia
Sport
Curling
Curling is a precision sport on ice in which two teams take turns sliding granite stones towards a target called the "house". By sweeping in front of the stone, players influence its distance and curl. A team scores a point for every stone closer to the centre than the opponent's best stone.
Term
Hammer (last stone) in curling
The hammer is the last stone of an end in curling. The team that plays it has a big advantage because the opponent can no longer respond. After a scoring end, the hammer passes to the team that did not score.
Sport
Broomball
Broomball is a team sport on ice played without skates. Players wear shoes with grippy rubber soles and play a ball with a stick whose head resembles a broom. The rules are similar to ice hockey.
Background
Making ice & ice temperature by sport
Artificial ice is made by applying water in many thin layers to a chilled concrete slab containing cooling pipes. The finished ice is usually only a few centimetres thick. The ice is tempered differently depending on the sport: colder and harder for ice hockey and speed skating, slightly warmer and softer for figure skating.