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Curling is a game of skill and traditions. A well-executed shot is a delight to see, and it is also a fine thing to observe the time-honored traditions of curling being applied in the true spirit of the game. Curlers play to win, but never to humble their opponents. A true curler would prefer to lose rather than win unfairly. A good curler never attempts to distract an opponent or otherwise prevent them from playing their best. No curler deliberately breaks a rule of the game or any of its traditions. But, if they should do so inadvertently and be aware of it, they are the first to divulge the breach. While the main object of the game of curling is to determine the players’ relative skill, the game’s spirit demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honorable conduct. This spirit should influence both the interpretation and application of the rules of the game and the conduct of all participants on and off the ice. Please respect yourself, your teammates, opponents, and the facilities when playing. Good luck and good curling! |
Halifax Curling Club - House Rules
- 8 end games - No game may start another end after 1 hour and 45 minutes of play. For example, if your game starts at 6:00PM, then you may not start another end after 7:45PM.
- 6 end games - No game may start another end after 1 hour and 30 minutes of play. For example, if your game starts at 6:00PM, then you may not start another end after 7:30PM.
- All games will start with a flip of the coin / spin of the wheel between both vice-skips. Teams who win the toss will have the option of taking the last rock or selecting rock color.
- All league games scores should be recorded at the completion of the draw from one vice-skip. Any game that is not recorded will be counted as a tie in the final standings. It is preferred that games are recorded through the HCC web site as the club will be going paperless this season.
- Teams must have at least three listed team members on the ice in order to qualify for victory. If your team can only field two players, you may still play the game but you will not receive a victory.
- If you cannot field a team for a designated game, it is the responsibility of the skip to contact the opposition skip.
- No hair brooms may be used for sweeping purposes. Hair brooms are only permitted as delivery devices.
- Any game that is considered a qualification game for a provincial event must use a certified brush head approved for WCF events.
Halifax Curling Club Etiquette for New Curlers
Curling is a social sport meant for all to enjoy. As with any sport, there are a list of rules of etiquette that we all should adhere to. Please read through these rules of etiquette to make your experience and the experience of fellow curlers as enjoyable as possible.
Before the game…
- Show up for your game at least 10 minutes in advance
- 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. There is a Spares list in the members area of the web site.
- Greet each member of the opposing team with a handshake or fist bump, a self-introduction and a wish for good curling or good luck
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 (tilt it up, brush frost and loose dirt off the bottom, and brush any resulting debris off the ice). 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 it is not your team’s turn in the hack, you should be waiting
- 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. If you make a poor shot yourself, keep your temper.
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. Let the skip know if you think the rock is heavier or lighter than what she or he called for.
- 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.
- Clean your broom regularly. Make sure that you change your broom head at least 2 times a year.
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, unless asked to assist.
- 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 and, at the conclusion of the game, for posting the points on the draw sheet.
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 favor 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.
Behavior on and around the ice surface
- Never speak ill of your opponents or your teammates. Represent yourself and your team to the best and highest of your ability. Do unto others as others do unto you!
Post-game
- Win or loss, thank each of the opposing players for the game with a handshake and spend social time with them in the club. Each member of the winning team offers to buy a beverage for his or her counterpart on the losing team. The offer is later reciprocated by the members of the losing team.
- Try and exit the ice surface as quickly as possible so the ice can be prepared for the next game.
Other items
- Using a cell phone during a game to call or text is not acceptable etiquette. Place your phone at the end of the sheet and ensure that your volume is turned off!
- Quick play is important in curling. The skip should be ready with their call on every shot. Every shot should not be discussed or debated in order to achieve quick play.
