Rules of Curling

The rules of curling from the World Curling Federation:  The Rules of Curling and the Rules of Competition

The Spirit of Curling

Curling is a game of skill and of tradition. A shot well executed is a delight to see and it is also a fine thing to observe the time-honoured 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 honourable 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. 

~From the World Curling Federation Handbook

Curling Etiquette

Etiquette is the courtesy and  sportsmanship that you show your teammates and your opponents so that everyone can enjoy the game and play as well as possible without being distracted.

Before the game:

• Respect eh starting time of your game.

• If you are unable to play, inform your skip and find someone (a spare) to play for you.  It is your responsibility to find a substitue player.

• If you expect to be late, inform your skip or another member of your team.

• If possible, be on the ice at game time.

• Shake hands with your opponents, tell them your name and wish them good curling.

During the game:

• Be ready when it is your turn to deliver a rock, or your teammates' turn to deliver a rock.

• Be quiet and do not move when your opponent is about to deliver a rock.

• Stay on your own sheet of ice preferably close to the outside of the sheet when it is the opposition's turn.

• Pay attention to what is going on in your game.  Use the opportunity to learn when a rock needs brushing or to learn game strategy.

• Compliment any player on a good shot.  Do not show your frustration at an opponent's lucky shot or a teammate's poor shot.

• If you touch a moving rock while your are brushing, tell your skip immediately but do not stop the rock, unless told to by your skip.

After the game:

• Give each of your teammates and opponents a handshake and thank them for the game before leaving the ice.

• If you won the game, offer to buy your opponent (same position as you) a drink.

• If you lost the game, offer to reciprocate after the first drink.

• Offer to help any new curler or new member of the club with information about curling or the Club.  Do not critique the skills of new members publicly, nor complain about your team's misfortune.

Rules of Curling Simplified

• Teams of four take turns to curl two rocks towards the target area with the scores being counted after all 16 rocks have been sent down the ice.

• The stone must be released before its front edge crosses a line called the hog. Foul throws are removed from the ice before they have come to rest or are in contact with other rocks.

• Sweeping may be done by two members of the team up to the tee line, whilst after that point only one player can brush. After the tee one player from the opposing side may also sweep.  A player cannot obstruct or prevent another player from sweeping.

• A stone touched or moved when in play by a player or their broom will either be replaced or removed depending on the situation.

• The team to go first is decided by a coin toss. Subsequently, the team that failed to score in the previous end has the advantage of going last, called the hammer throw.

• Fair play is of huge importance so there is a culture of self-refereeing with regards to fouls and this is a big part of curling.

GLOSSARY

Blank end: an end resulting in no score for either team.

Delivery: the motion a player makes when playing a stone.

Delivery end: the end of the sheet from which the stones are being delivered.

End: a portion of a curling game that is completed when each team has thrown eight stones and/or the score has been decided.

Extra end: an additional end played to break a tie at the end of regulation play.

Free Guard Zone (FGZ): the area at the playing end between the hog line and the tee line, but excluding the house.

Hack: the foothold at each end of the ice that is used by a player to start the delivery of a curling stone.

Hog line: a line extending across the width of the sheet that is parallel to and located 21 ft. from each tee line. A stone must be released before it reaches the near hog line and must travel beyond the far hog line, or it shall be removed from play.

House: the area within the concentric circles at each end of the sheet.

Lead:  the first player on a team to throw a stone

Playing end: the end of the sheet to which the stones are being delivered.

Sheet: the specific ice surface upon which a curling game is played.

Scoring: a team scores one point for each of its stones that is within the house and closer to the tee than any stone of the opposing team.

Second:  the second player on a team to throw a stone

Skip: the player who directs play for the team and throws the last two stones

Tee: the exact center of the house.

Vice‐skip: the player who directs play for the team when it is the skip’s turn to deliver, throws the third pair of stones for a team