ETIQUETTE + SAFETY

Curling Etiquette

1. Start with a handshake. At the beginning of the game, greet the members of the opposing team with a handshake or a tap of the broom, tell them your name, and wish them “Good Curling”.
2. Finish with a handshake. When the game is over, offer each of the players a hearty handshake and move off the ice. The winning curlers traditionally offer their counterparts some refreshments.
3. Keep the ice clean. Change your shoes. Sand, grit and dirt are the ice’s worst enemy. The shoes you wear should only be used for curling. Keep them clean.
4. Compliment good shots, no matter which team makes them. Respect your opponent.
5. Be ready. Take your position in the hack as soon as your opponent has delivered his/her stone. Keep the game moving; delays detract from the sport.
6. Always cool your slider down by sliding back and forth behind the hack prior to taking a practice slide out of the hack. This prevents wearing the pebble down in the house with a warm slider.
7. Be prepared to sweep as soon as your teammate releases the rock.
8. After delivering your stone, move to the side of the sheet between the hog lines, unless you are the skip. Leads and seconds are not permitted in the house, except when sweeping or when removing the stones after the count has been determined by the vices.
9. Be courteous. Don’t distract your opponent in the hack. Sweepers should stay on the sidelines between the hog lines when not sweeping.
10. Place your skip’s rock in front of the hack to help speed up the game.
11. All games on the ice should run for approximately the same time. Therefore, if your game is an end or two behind all other games you should pick up the pace. Each player should be ready to deliver their rock when their skip puts down the broom.

          For more tips, visit the Canadian Curling Association www.curling.ca

 

Safety Rules

1. Make sure everyone has clean runners. Do not wear the shoes you plan to play in to the club; bring them with you.
2. Don’t lift the rocks off the ice when playing.
3. Be aware of who is throwing and when, and the location of all rocks at all times, especially moving ones.
4. Ensure the hacks are protected at all times, especially when rocks are being thrown. You can easily stop a moving rock with your broom, but do not attempt to stop a moving rock with your feet.
5. Don’t touch the ice equipment around the outside of the rink.
6. Return the rocks, sliders, and brooms to their original spots at the end of the game.
7. No tripping, pushing or running on the ice.
8. If you find yourself down on the ice, get up quickly so your hands and knees don’t melt into the ice.
9. Don’t step on the ice with a slider on.
10. When you feel yourself slipping on the ice bend your knees quickly and get your behind as low to the ice as possible to avoid injury.