A Pane in the Glass
Bill Tschirhart's A Pane in the Glass
Bill Tschirhart has been involved in coaching the sport of curling for many years. I was first introduced to Bill in 1990 when he was coach of the University of Waterloo varsity curling teams, which was Bill’s first coaching position. Since then, Bill has held coaching positions provincially and nationally, coached at both national and international events, and at one time was Curling Canada’s national development coach at the Curling Canada’s National Training Centre (NTC) in Calgary.
Over the years Bill has published a number of articles about coaching the sport of curling, both in print media and on the web, and in addition launched an online blog a number of years ago. Bill recently retired to the community of Bayfield, ON on the shores of Lake Huron.
Most recently, Bill has taken “A Pane in the Glass” to the airwaves, and now runs a podcast of the same name available on most platforms (see below).
Several of Bill’s many individual articles can be still found on the internet. However, in 2010 Bill published a compendium [1] of selected articles, along with additional material from other contributors who include:
- Bob Comartin, now retired, of Curling Canada’s Performance Enhancement team;
- Wendy Morgan, former Canadian national Wheelchair curling team manager and coach;
- Toby Macdonald, national coach and 1976 Brier champion from Newfoundland;
- Lindsay Sparkes, former Canadian national coach and Olympic medallist (with skip Linda Moore in 1988 at the Calgary games);
- and several other contributors including Bill’s daughter Susan.
Collectively the volume is called A Pane in the Glass: A Coach’s Companion and the book has an enormous wealth of material for coaches of all levels. The book consists of 298 pages of packed material, along with an Appendix with diagrams, drills (from “Drills to Die For“), scoring sheets, and other useful coaching material.
The book is still available in print form from Curling Canada. All proceeds from the sale of this volume go to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.
We are pleased to provide, with Bill’s permission, a number of his many articles from A Pane in the Glass in downloadable PDF.
Articles from A Pane in the Glass
A Pane in the Glass Podcast
Recently Bill has moved to the airwaves to bring his coaching expertise to his listeners through another channel. His podcast, naturally entitled “A Pane in the Glass Podcast”, is available on iTunes, Amazon, and a variety of other platforms. His most recent pods appear below.
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Don't Even Try To Hit It Straight
by Coach Bill on February 23, 2025 at 6:00 am
The title of this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" isn't about golf but I'm going to use the connection between golf & curling to answer a question from a listener from the Bobcaygeon Curling Club. Murray Thompson was having difficulty controlling the weight of his down weight shots (draws, guards etc.). That's when I suggested he not even try to hit his tee shot straight down the middle of the fairway. What? I'm a curler, not a golfer! Listen to this episode to learn how you can better control your down weight shots using my golf analogy. A telephone call from another listener about a team dynamics issue inspired me to add my thoughts about this team's dilemma (one many teams face) to the episode. I end this episode with my passionate thoughts regarding All Star Awards. Buckle your chin straps when you hear how I feel about this topic!It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here!
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A Round Table Discussion With Emily Riley, Jacob Tschirhart & Coach Bill
by Coach Bill on February 15, 2025 at 5:00 am
In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", Emily Riley shares the microphone with me and my grandson Jacob. We both have questions to ask Emily and as usual, Emily provides outstanding answers! In the last portion of the episode, the culture of sport is the topic which morphs into a discussion about the value of playing any competitive sport. Emily's thoughts will get you thinking about your involvement in sports as an athlete and/or as a coach! Emily was behind the microphone in S1E12, S1E55, S2E16, S2E47 & S3E39 (parents, you'll want, no, need to hear the most recent one)!It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here!
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The Most Important Aspects Of A Curling Delivery Are Invisible
by Coach Bill on February 8, 2025 at 12:00 pm
This episode begins season #4 of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast". It was this week in 2002 when I took a leap of faith into the world of podcasting. This episodes explains what's missing in so many curling deliveries I see as I travel the curling world. If all you take onto a sheet of curling ice is a sound delivery, you don't have very much! Most curling deliveries are reasonably sound but they break down because the owner of the delivery does not know how protect & support that delivery from the ravages of competitive breakdown. This episode will provide the tools to ensure that your curling delivery is "bullet proof". There are two previous episodes that will enhance this one. They are "The Performance Cocktail " S1E20 and "Three Hundred Seconds " S1E28. This episode is about one hour in length so please make use of the "Chapters" feature to return to the last section you heard before you hit "pause" on your listening device!It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here!
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Remembering Toby McDonald
by Coach Bill on January 31, 2025 at 9:00 pm
In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we pay tribute to Toby McDonald, curler, coach, attorney, fisherman & citizen of St. John's, NL. I called upon Jamie Korab and Jim Waite to share their memories of Toby (including some great stories)!It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here!
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Foam Density In Curling Brushes
by Coach Bill on January 25, 2025 at 1:00 am
In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we take a look at the hottest of hot brushing topics, the density of the foam under the compliant fabric on a curling brush. To do that I have taken excerpts from an article on "Curling Zone" (an excellent website) followed by a chat with Eugene Hritzuk. Eugene has been my guest on previous occasions when I needed someone close the research taking place with curling brushes. Today he'll focus his attention on foam density.My very loyal listener Leslie Gerard has sent an email to regarding a possible solution to the issue of the importance of last stone in the first end of play. It seems as though at the highest level, that pre-game draw-to-the-button activity has become the tail that wags the dog. Leslie has an idea to level the playing field in that area. It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here!
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So You Want To Be Perfect Eh?
by Coach Bill on January 20, 2025 at 1:00 pm
The title of today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" says it all. I reprise an article from my blog site (truenorthbill.blogspot.com) for an article based upon an interview with Dr. John Dunn with a journalist from the Edmonton Journal. That's followed by a sound bite by sport psychologist Eli Straw on "Mental Skills For Young Athletes" (including some hands-on activities coaches & parents can do with their young athletes). I then chat with a young athlete in the person of my grandson Lucas who shares his thoughts on the soundbite. I conclude this episode with a tribute to the late Jimmy Carter.You may wish to make use of the chapter markers to return to various portions of this episode. They are found at the top of these show notes.It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here!
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A Northern Light
by Coach Bill on January 11, 2025 at 11:00 pm
This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is an interview with Nick Saturnino of Inuvik, Northwest Territories which is located 200 km. north of The Arctic Circle. He's a "northern light" in that far north community as he creates youth curling programmes with challenges that most youth co-ordinators may never have to face. Many of those challenges are a result of geography. You will be shocked at the cost of travel in the far north for example and in a community where there are other activities for young people, how does Nick make curling attractive to that demographic? This episode will reveal how he does it! Enjoy!It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here!
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Does Your Team Play To Win or Does It Play Not To Lose?
by Coach Bill on January 5, 2025 at 9:00 pm
The title of today's episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" says it all. Does your team play to win or does it play not to lose? My friend Leslie Gerard sent another email I felt worthy of sharing. It's about playing a team that you know is more skilled and experienced. I respond to Leslie offering up a way to give your team at least a chance to still win the game. There's a sound bite from the great Michael Jordan you will find most interesting on the topic of winning and losing. I end this episode with an offer for your team to join me for a chat on the topic of your choosing. And, Happy 2025 to you all and thanks for listening! It’s your turn! Send me your thoughts by texting here!