RULES AND ETIQUETTE

Members of Reform CC are expected to participate in the game of curling in the true spirit of the game.

The Spirit of Curling
Curling is a game of skill and of traditions. A shot well executed is a delight to see and so, too, it is 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 would prefer to lose rather than win unfairly.
A good curler never attempts to distract an opponent or otherwise prevent him from playing his best.
No curler ever deliberately breaks a rule of the game or any of its traditions. But, if he should do so inadvertently and be aware of it, he is 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 the game demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honourable conduct. The spirit should influence both the interpretation and application of the rules of the game and also the conduct of all participants on and off the ice.
(WCF rules of play and competition)

CLUB RULES
1. League, Cup and Challenge games will be 10 ends or the bell.

2. Late Start: A game should never be forfeit as long as 3 team members turn up. Every effort should be made to make up a fourth member from the bank. If this cannot be done, then penalties will apply. The game should start immediately the bell rings. If the missing player arrives or a substitute is found then normal time penalties apply from the ring of the bell. A fixed penalty of 5 shots will apply to a team with only 3 players. In the event of a dispute the card should be submitted to the Committee for scrutiny and a ruling.

3. It is not acceptable for a player to play only 2 stones and leave as a method of avoiding a 5 shot penalty.

4. It is to be hoped that ice is never defaulted, but if a team cannot take up its ice, then that team has the responsibility to cancel the ice with the ice rink, and if required to do so, pay for the whole sheet.

In general, Reform plays to RCCC rules, and members should make themselves aware of these on an individual basis. There are however a couple of RCCC rules which are frequently broken by Reform members, and by members of other clubs that play at Greenacres, and which are detailed below. These breaches should not continue as far as Reform is concerned. We cannot legislate for other clubs, but it is up to us to provide an example to our oppositions, by our strict observance of the rules of the game, and by adopting all aspects of the etiquette of the game. Sweeping: Behind the tee line only one player from each team may sweep at any one time. It may be any one player from the playing team, but only the player in charge of the head from the non-playing team, who shall not sweep their opponents stone until it reaches the tee line.
· The players, other than the skip or acting skip shall not stand behind the house, but shall place themselves along the side of the rink between the hog lines, except when sweeping or about to deliver a stone. The space between the hog and the hack belongs to the playing team, and the rules of the game as laid down by both the RCCC and echoed by the WCF forbid the encroachment of the opposing team into that area. It is deemed intimidation, even if you are, in your own opinion, not interfering with play.

ETIQUETTE
1. Once you have played your stone, do not rest your hand, knee or elbow on the ice as it can generate a flat spot which may affect play later in the game. Lying down on the ice after delivery is never acceptable!
2. Players should be in the hack ready to play by the time the opponent’s stone has come to rest.
3. It may seem polite, but do NOT set up a stone for the opposition. You should not touch your opposition’s stones, except when clearing the head.
4. The front end should set up their own skip’s stones.
5. Do not move up or down the ice whilst an opponent is delivering a stone. Like putting in golf, the player is entitled to stillness and silence during delivery, and until the stone is released.
6. When you do move up or down the ice, it is courteous to do so in single file, not side by side. It is surprising how often this side by side movement interferes with the line of sight to the brush when setting up.
7. A skip or third standing at the back of the house must stay perfectly still and avoid doing anything which might disturb the concentration of the opposing player in the hack. Reform skips should learn to adopt the practice of holding their brushes still, and either in the vertical or horizontal position but ALWAYS behind the back during the opponent’s delivery.
8. Do not walk or slide across the sheet when the opposing player is in the hack.
9. Do not get in the way of the opposing sweepers.
10. At the end of the game, it is Reform practice to retire to the bar for a drink. Etiquette dictates that the winning team buy the first round of drinks for all, and that the losing team reciprocate on the second round. From time to time the winners when asked may decide to press on home and decline their second drink. This is quite acceptable, and can be considered as the only drawback to winning the game! It is, however, nice to be asked.
11. Please do the match secretary the kindness of ensuring that (a) cards are fully and clearly made out with all names, dates and competition, as well as the agreed and signed off score, and (b) that these cards are promptly put in the rack on the notice board. This duty is the responsibility of the second, unless agreed by the team to be otherwise.