League Rules

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Play Time

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Starting Game Time

1. Games start at 5pm

2. Players greet each other on the ice a few minutes ahead of the game start. 

3. Coin spin winner decides hammer to start game, the other teams chooses rock color. (Alternatively, the team with the winning spin may instead choose rock color, though the other team gets the hammer)

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Ending Game Time

1. A buzzer will ring at 6:45 pm. Teams may finish the end they are playing. 

2. If the last rock of end passes the hog line and reaches the house.  The last skip rock does not have to come to a complete stop prior to the buzzer.  This is a fun league, game play is encouraged.

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Keep the Game Moving

• When necessary, skips should remind their players to be aware of when it’s their turn to play and of the necessity to keep the game moving at a good pace in order to get as many ends of play as possible.

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• When a player’s turn comes up they should be ready in the hack as soon as possible. This is especially true for the lead throwing first when starting a new end, they should get ready in the hack instead of helping put rocks away, the others players can put the rocks away while the lead sets up to play.

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• Delays are frowned upon and a league review will be completed if a complaint is received. 

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Recording of Game Results

• It is the winning skip’s responsibility to provide the statistician with game results, providing the total points and ends for both teams. The skip may delegate this task to the third player on the team.

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Season Format - 2023-2024

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Format

• TBD teams

• Every team plays 14 games and has 5 byes.

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Playoffs  

     Single Elimination

If total points are tied then check total ends won, if still tied then skip draw to the button with sweeping.

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     Finals

If game points are tied then skip draw to the button with sweeping.

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Tie-Breakers

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When total points are equal in the stats

• At the end, ties will require a review of head to head games as placement.

• Sort method (whether 1 or 2 head to head games were played)

  • Head to Head wins

  • If still tied, then Head to Head total points

  • If still tied, then Head to Head total ends won

  • In the unlikely event the teams are still tied the executive will decide on a fair method of breaking the tie

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Number of Players Required

1. A team must have at least two regular team members, and at least three players in total (includes official spares) for a regular game.

2. A team that has only one regular team member but with at least two official spares may play a game but must forfeit one win point to the opposing team.

3. A team with no regular players, or with not enough players to make a team of three will lose by default, the opposing team gets an automatic win (with a game score of 4 points and 4 ends).  Note this takes precedence over a team that would have forfeited a point (per rule 2). If both teams lose by default then a tie is given (with a game score of 4 points and 4 ends each).

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Miscellaneous  Notes

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Free Guard Zone

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In keeping with the World Curling Federation and Curling Canada we have implemented the five-rock free-guard zone (FGZ).

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The expanded rule will add another protected rock to the four that can’t be removed from the area between the hog line and the house. The fifth stone is expected to increase offence, reduce blank ends and generally lead to more entertaining games.

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This is the official rule taken from "The Rules of Curling" by the World Curling Federation (WCF):
 

(a) A stone that comes to rest between the tee line and the hog line at the playing end, excluding the house, is deemed to be within an area designated as the FGZ. Also, stones that are in play, on or before the hog line, after striking stones in the FGZ, are deemed to be in the FGZ.

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(b) If, prior to the delivery of the sixth stone of an end, a delivered stone causes, either directly or indirectly, an opposition stone to be moved from the FGZ to an out-of-play position, then the delivered stone is removed from play, and any displaced stones are replaced, by the non-offending team, to their positions prior to the violation taking place.

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Burnt rocks

 

Displaced Stationary Stones

1. No effect on outcome: the non-offending team replaces it to their satisfaction.

2. Would have had an effect: all rocks must come to rest and non-offending team decides:

   • Replace everything as it was before the violation and remove the thrown stone; or​

   • Leave everything as is, where they came to rest; or

   • Place everything as they believe it would have happened had a stone not been displaced.

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Touched Moving Stones

1. Before the second Hog line: the offending team must remove the rock immediately.

2. After the second Hog line: all rocks must come to rest and non-offending team decides:

   • Replace everything as it was before the violation and remove the thrown stone; or​

   • Leave everything as is, where they came to rest; or

   • Place everything as they believe it would have happened had a stone not been touched.

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League Fees and Reimbursements

• No players may play in games until fees are paid in full by the deadline. 

• The league will not refund any money to a player after the season starts. 

• If a member resigning from the league suggests a replacement player:  Any fees or monies collected from a new replacement player will not be refunded to the resigning individual, also the committee must be in agreement with the suggested new member activation as there may be others on the waiting list.

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Rule Interpretation

Any issues arising from the interpretation of or rules not covered in this guide will be reviewed and decided upon by the umpire committee.

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