General Rules of Play
The most important rule is observing the spirit of curling. This is explained in the USCA Rules of Curling and Competition copied from the US Curling website:
“Curling is a game of skill and tradition. A shot well executed 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 never attempts to distract opponents, nor to prevent them from playing their best, and would prefer to lose rather than to win unfairly.
Curlers never knowingly break a rule of the game, nor disrespect any of its traditions. Should they become aware that this has been done inadvertently, they will be the first to divulge the breach.
While the main object of the game of curling is to determine the relative skill of the players, the spirit of curling demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honorable conduct.
This spirit should influence both the interpretation and the application of the rules of the game and also the conduct of all participants on and off the ice.”
As part of the spirit of curling, if you aren’t sure the correct ruling, ask an experienced curler and communicate with the opposing team. Assume goodwill with your opponent. Never purposefully delay the game to deny your opponent an extra end to catch up.
All play will be governed by the USCA Rules of Curling and Competition unless stated below which can be found here. This includes use of the five-rock free guard zone role.
Determining who has hammer in the first end
During the league play of the round robin, hammer will be determined by a coin flip. The winner of the coin flip will have the choice of hammer in the first end or stone color.
Subs and team requirements
Teams must have at least 3 players to compete in a game. If less than 3 players are present when all other games have started, the team with less than 3 players will forfeit the hammer in the first end. If less than 3 players are present at 8:40 (based on the clock at the ice arena), that team will forfeit the hammer and the other team will begin the game with a 2 point advantage. If less than 3 players are present at 8:50, that team will forfeit the hammer and the other team will begin the game with a 4 point advantage. If less than 3 players are present at 9:00, ,that team will forfeit the game.
Subs may be used by a team. However, a team must have at least 2 members of its team roster as registered at the start of the season present in order to play a league game. A team may use a maximum of two subs for a game during the round-robin. A team may use a maximum of one sub for a game in the upper bracket of the playoffs.
Playdowns may be required for national events such as the Arena National Curling Championship. If a team desires to participate in a competition the club has received a bid for, they must announce to the board by writing at least 4 months before the first day of the event. If more than one team announces their desire to participate, a playdown will be used to determine who will receive the club’s bid for the event. Due to the inherent difficulties of finding ice time, specifics of when the playdown will take place must be determined on a case by case basis. The playdown will be one 8-end game. The winner of this game will receive the club’s bid for the event. Alternate methods of playdown may be used if agreed upon by both teams. If more than two teams register their desire to participate, the Park City Curling Club Board of Directors will determine the method to be used to choose a winner.
Playdowns
All players should do their best to make sure 6-ends are played. To this goal, keep the games moving by not overthinking shots. When it is your turn, be ready to go in the hack as soon as your opponent finishes delivering their stone. Because games must be completed and rocks removed from the ice before 10 pm, a buzzer will be used. The buzzer will be set to sound at approximately 9:30. After the buzzer, teams should finish the end that they are in and play one additional end. Skips should communicate with each other after the buzzer sounds to confirm the total number of ends to be played.
Time
All players should do their best to make sure 6-ends are played. To this goal, keep the games moving by not overthinking shots. When it is your turn, be ready to go in the hack as soon as your opponent finishes delivering their stone. Because games must be completed and rocks removed from the ice before 10 pm, a buzzer will be used. The buzzer will be set to sound at approximately 9:30. After the buzzer, teams should finish the end that they are in and play one additional end. Skips should communicate with each other after the buzzer sounds to confirm the total number of ends to be played.
Ties
The league winner may be determined in a variety of different manners based on the number of teams who register for the league in a given season. The final format for determining the winner of each league will be published and posted in this space before the second week of league play begins.
League Winner
Winter League 2019
Summary: The 2019 Winter League will consist of a round robin followed by 2 week playoff. Top 4 teams based on the number of points received (explained below) will make upper bracket to play for championship.
Points: Wins are worth 2 points, ties are worth 1 point, losses are worth 0 points.
Qualifying for playoffs: The top 4 teams based on the number of points at the end of the round robin will compete for the league championship. A two week playoff format will be used. The top seed in the playoffs will play the 4-seed, and the 2-seed will play the 3-seed. The winner of each of these two games will play each other for the league-championship. The loser of each game will play each other for 3rdplace. Likewise, a lower bracket with teams seeded 5-9 will also be formed. The 5-seed will play the 6-seed and the 7-seed will play the 8-seed in the first round. The 9-seed will have a bye. The winner of the two games will play each other in the final week while the loser of the 5 vs. 6 game will play the 9-seed. The loser of the 7 vs. 8 game will have a bye in the final week. The format of the lower bracket may be adjusted if one team wishes to not play. In the playoffs, the higher seeded team will have choice of hammer in the first end or stone color.
Resolving Ties:
If teams are times at the end of the round-robin. The following tie-breakers will be used to determine seeding for the playoffs. The first tie-breaker is head to head record. The 2nd tie-breaker is the most wins. If teams are still tied after these tie-breakers a coin-flip will be used to determine playoff seeding. However, if teams are still tied after the initial two tie-breakers to see who makes upper bracket, i.e. the 4th placed team is tied with any number of lower placed teams, a two shot draw to the button will take place. This will ideally take place at the end of the last draw before the playoffs. Alternative dates for a draw to the button may be used depending on the schedule. Any one team member may take the draws to the button. One team member must hold the broom. Only the best shot out of two will count. The team with the stone that ends up closest to the button will receive the bid to the upper playoff.