The team with the lowest composite time wins. Lugers start in a sitting position on their sled and push off from two fixed handles at the top of the start ramp. Timing begins when the athlete crosses an automatic electronic line at the bottom of the start ramp. The run is finished when the team crosses the timing light at the bottom of the course. The athletes must cross the finish line in contact with their sled.
Lugers use spiked gloves to paddle at the top of the course and gain speed.
The athlete steers by pressing against the runners with his or her legs, and by maneuvering his or her shoulders. In the doubles competition, the heavier athlete usually lies in front. The two athletes work together to gain momentum and steer the sled down the course. Natural track luge uses similar rules to Olympic luge, but its sleds vary and ice courses are constructed without banked curves. A course must at least include one left curve, one right curse, one sharp bend, one curve combination and one straight away.