Seniors Curling League Rules

Curling Etiquette & Basic Rules

Curlers' Code of Ethics

I will play the game with a spirit of good sportsmanship.
I will conduct myself in an honourable manner both on and off the ice.
I will never knowingly break a rule, but if I do, I will divulge the breach.
I will take no action that could be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate or demean my opponents, teammates, or umpires.
The rules ensure that the game is played in an orderly and fair manner.

Pre-game

Ensure you are wearing clean footwear before stepping on the ice. Grippers in good condition will be mandatory.
Persons wearing improper footwear will not be allowed on the ice.
Helmets and/or some form of head protection is recommended. These can be ordered online.
Be prepared to step on the ice at the designated time. If you are unable to make a game, advise your skip ahead of time and arrange for a spare.
Spares are to be taken from the list of spares attributed to each league.The spare will at all times play lead with each of the other curlers moving up a spot.
Greet each member of the opposing team with a handshake, a self-introduction and a wish for good curling.
Body heat melts the ice; keep hand and knee contact with the ice to a minimum.

Miscellaneous

A team with only 2 players may borrow a player from the opposing team and start to play. The team short will have 2 ends to field a player at which time the game will continue as a valid game. If the short team doesn’t field a player the game will be a forfeit, however play can continue.
The bell will be in effect for this curling season. At the sound of the bell play for the end in progress will carry on and one more end can be played.

Delivery of stones

Be ready to play when your turn comes. As soon as your opponent has delivered (released) his or her rock, step into the hack and get your own rock ready. You should be ready and waiting for your skip’s instructions by the time your opponent’s rock comes to rest. Every end should take a maximum of 15 minutes, do your part to make sure your team stays on time.
Do not disturb a curler in the hack. If you are waiting to play, stand quietly well behind the curler on the end boards and out of reach of the broom. If you are an opposing sweeper, stand still at the side of the sheet between the hog lines.
Be a good sport. Compliment a good shot by either side. Never comment negatively on a teammate’s, or opponent’s poor shot or bad luck.
Do not leave sticks and brooms on the walkway. Lean them against the glass or wall.

Sweeping

Be ready to sweep your teammate’s rock as soon as it is released. It is the skip’s job to determine whether sweeping is needed to maintain the desired line; it is the sweepers’ job to determine whether sweeping is needed because the rock is lighter than what was called for, but the skip may still call you off.
Behind the tee line, only one member of each team can sweep at one time. If you decide not to sweep your own rock, make way for the other team to sweep.
Clean your broom regularly.

Positioning of players

When a team is preparing to deliver, the opposing skip stands still to avoid disturbing the concentration of the player in the hack.
As soon as the delivered rock comes to rest, leads and seconds leave the house and position themselves between the hog lines and to the extreme sides of the sheet. Only the skips and vice-skips should be in the house.
At the conclusion of the end, only the vice-skips are in the house to determine the score of the end. No rocks are moved until the vice-skips agree. The vice-skips are responsible for measuring, if necessary, for posting the score on the scoreboard.

Accidentally touching a rock

If you “burn” (touch) a moving rock with your broom while sweeping, do not stop the rock. Allow it to come to rest and alert both skips. The opposing skip has three choices:

allow the play to stand, or
remove the burned rock from play and replace all the affected rocks to their original positions, or
place the burned rock and all rocks it would have affected where they would have come to rest if the violation had not occurred.

If you move a stationary rock, and if that move did not affect a running rock, then the non-offending team replaces the rock to its original position (if there is any question about whether the touched rock or another rock is closer to the button, the touched rock is replaced in favour of the non-offending team). If the move would have affected the course of another rock in motion, then the non-offending team has three choices:

allow the play to stand, or
remove the rock in motion and replace all the affected rocks to their original positions, or
place the rock in motion and all rocks it would have affected where they would have come to rest if the violation had not occurred.

Post-game

The winning team will clean the ice in preparation for the staff to pebble the ice.
If there is another draw following your game, you should ensure that there is enough time for the staff to prepare the ice for the next draw. Be mindful that other players are waiting to take the ice.
Win or lose, thank each of the opposing players for the game with a handshake and spend social time with them in the club.

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