Rules & Etiquette
Rules are how we endeavour to run the curling club, this allows all members
to safely enjoy our facility plus play your games in a timely manner.
Etiquette is the
courtesy and sportsmanship that you show your team-mates and your opponents so that
everyone can enjoy the game without being distracted.
Before the
game:
- Know the date
and time of your game If you are unable to play, please inform your skip as early
as possible and agree on who will find (a spare) to play for you. It is your responsibility
to find a spare.
- Arrive at least
15 minutes before game time, this allows time to change, warm up and be ready to
play. Do not be late. If you expect to be late inform your skip or another
member of your team.
-
There must be 3 members of the team on the ice at the appointed
time to start the game or that team forfeits the hammer in the first end. If a team
is 10 minutes late, they forfeit the hammer and the second end is started with the
first point awarded to the other team. After 30 minutes the game is in default and
the team present wins. If any other arrangements have been made between the 2 teams
you are still expected to be off the ice in time for the ice staff to prepare the
ice for the next draw.
- If possible,
be on the ice 5 minutes prior to game time, this will allow for warm up slides and
greeting your opposition.
- We are attempting
to reduce the amount of dirt we bring onto the ice. We ask that you enter the club,
go downstairs and change and then come up to the lounge by the back stairs. Even
if you are only changing your shoes downstairs it will help to reduce the amount
of dirt that we bring into the lounge and then take out on the ice surface. In a
perfect world we all would have clothing that was left at the curling club and we
changed into before each game, I know that many members only change their shoes;
the best way to keep our ice shed free of dirt is to wear the cleanest shoes, grippers
and clothing possible.
- We have allotted
2 hours for an 8 end curling game. The early draw is to start at 6:45 PM and should
end by 8:45 PM; this allows 15 minutes for the ice staff to prepare the ice. This
should not be used as extra time because of slow play. The rule of thumb is as follows,
1
hour and 35 minutes into the game you will have 25 minutes left to finish your game, (8:20PM & 10:35 PM) you should finish the end you are playing and one more.
Shake hands with the opponents; tell them your name & wish them
good curling.
During the
game:
- Be ready when
it is your turn to deliver a rock, or your team-mates’ turn to deliver a rock.
- Play the game
with a spirit of good sportsmanship.
- Be quiet and
do not move when your opponent is about to deliver a rock. Take no action which
could be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate or demean your opponents or team
mates.
- Stay on your
own sheet of ice preferably close to the outside of the sheet especially when it
is your oppositions turn to play.
- Stand between
the hog lines during play unless you are skipping, or unless you are delivering
or about to deliver a curling rock. If you are waiting to deliver your rock, stand
on the end boards behind the house and hack. (Remember) only the skip
and vice are allowed to stand on the end boards behind the house to which the rocks
are being delivered.
- Pay attention
to what is going on in the game. Use the opportunity to learn when a rock needs
sweeping or to learn game strategy.
- Compliment any
player on a good shot. Do not show frustration at an opponent’s lucky shot or a
team mate’s poor shot.
- If you touch
a moving rock while you are sweeping, tell your skip immediately but do not stop
the rock, unless told to by your skip.
- Interpret the
rules in an impartial manner, always keeping in mind that the purpose of the rules
is to insure that the game is played in an orderly and fair manner.
- After the score
of an end has been determined, help move the rocks to the back of the house. Remember
if a measure is required to determine which rock is closest to the centre or if
a rock is in the rings, only the vice skips (thirds) should be in the house or near
the rocks being measured. Both thirds have to agree on a measure before the rocks
are moved or the point is awarded to the team that has not been consulted.
- Move into the
hack and be ready to throw as quickly as possible, when the skip calls the shot
you should be ready to throw.
After the
game:
Spares
- Any person who
is not a member of the NCC is to be considered a spare.
- A member of the
NCC is someone who has paid to curl in 1 or more leagues.
- It is the responsibility
of the skip of the team using a spare to collect and pay the spares fee plus enter
the spares name in the Spare Book & enter the name of the team spared for.
- This book will
be placed by the cash register and labelled Spare BookA key is designated on the
cash register for the spares fee.
- Failure to pay
the spare fee and enter the spares name in the book would result in the loss of
the game once a complaint has been given to the league convenor.
- Any member of the
league could challenge whether or not a fee has been paid.
- Spares can only
play the position of the curler they are replacing or a lower position.
- Spares will not
be allowed to compete in club playoffs or championships.
- I have asked the
webmaster to post the members who are willing to spare on the website to help with
the selection of a spare.
- If you are using
a club member to fill in for a missing player, please enter this information in
the Spare Book as well.
We would like to thank the
Glendale Golf & CC, Highlands Curling Club, Ottawa Deaf Curling League and the
Granite Curling Club for providing the websites where we borrowed this material from.
Please offer to help
new curlers or new members with information about curling or the Club. If you are
unable to help, direct them to a member of the executive. Do not critique the skills
of new members publicly, nor complain about your team’s misfortune.