CURLING ETIQUETTE

Curling is one of the few remaining amateur sports. Curling has always been known for the good sportsmanship among its members, both on and off the ice. While most courtesies suggested below will not be found in the rule book, they are practice by all curlers who understand the true spirit and tradition of the "Roaring Game."

1) It is important that a player be at the club and ready to play before the scheduled game time. If a player fails to show up for a game, he or she inconveniences seven (7) other players. If you cannot make a game, it is YOUR responsibility to provide a substitute or notify the skip.

2) Never go on the ice without first cleaning your footwear. If possible, do not wear your street shoes for curling. Foreign material tracked onto the ice impedes the running of the stones, which may result in a missed shot.

3) It is everyone's responsibility to remove straws, brush hairs and debris from the ice, except that it is improper to remove any foreign objects from beneath a moving stone or a stone in play.

4) Be prepared to clean and delivery of your stone as soon as your opponent has completed his delivery.

5) After delivering your stone, move to the side of the sheet, between the "hog" lines, unless you are the skip or acting skip. Leads and seconds are not permitted in the "house" or "rings", except when sweeping or to remove the stones AFTER the count has been determined by the vice skips.

6) Do not continue to play with the brush or broom that is worn to the point of leaving debris on the ice. Many a game has been lost when a crucial shot has been deflected by a brush hair or a broom straw.

7) Do not let stones run into or over the hacks, or hit the back board at high speed. Equipment may be damaged or players injured by rebounding stones.

8) To avoid injury, slide the stones from place to place on the ice. Do not lift them, except to remove them from the back board to the ice and vice-versa. Do not walk backwards on the ice and always watch running stones whether delivered by your rink or your opponents.

9) Under no circumstances are food, drink or glassware allowed ON the ice.

10) Curling is a game of tradition as well as skill. Every game is started with a hearty handshake and a sincere expression of "Good Curling" to your opponents and you teammates. Every game is ended with a hearty handshake and a friendly comment to the winners regarding their play. Traditionally, we gather with our opponents after the game to share a glass of our favorite beverage and enjoy a friendly discussion of shots missed and made in the game. Therefore, we never do or say anything on the ice, which would be a cause for embarrassment to ourselves or our opponents during the post-game gathering.

11) Safety Tips for Curlers and Curling Clubs: Curlers get their "Sea Legs" on the ice after their first several games. It's normally not difficult to get around on the ice. However, ice is ice, and if a curler is careless, a fall can result in serious injury. New curlers are cautioned to be careful while moving or standing on the ice. Even experienced curlers should pay attention to the cautions.