Etiquette

CODE OF ETHICS

• I will play the game with a spirit of good sportsmanship.
• I will conduct myself in an honourable manner both on and off the ice.
• I will never knowingly break a rule, but if I do, I will divulge the breach.
• I will take no action that could be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate or demean my opponents, teammates, or umpires.
• I will interpret the rules in an impartial manner, always keeping in mind that the purpose of the rules is to ensure that the game is played in an orderly and fair manner.
• I will humbly accept any penalty that the governing body at any level of curling deems appropriate, if I am found in violation of the Code of Ethics or rules of the game.

SAFETY

• Ensure nobody is standing in a position to be hit by your brush or stone when you are about to deliver
• Use your brush to stop stones, using your hands or feet can result in injury
• When cleaning stones from the house, avoid walking in front of moving stones
• Do not lift stones
• Finish your slide before standing up

CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER CURLERS

• Do not disturb a player in the hack; remain quiet and out of his / her line of vision
• When your opposition is playing, stand at the side of the rink, between the hog lines
• Never cross the ice in front of a running stone
• Only skips and thirds should be in the house at any time and they should keep their brushes hidden when the opposition is playing
• At the finish of an end, only the thirds should be in the house until a score is agreed

PACE OF PLAY

• Be ready to start when the bell rings; don’t be late!
• Ensure you are at the hack when it is your turn to play
• Place the skip’s stone at the hack ready for him / her to play
• Keep play at a good pace and make decisions in a reasonable time; delays result in shortened games

GENERAL

• If you are unable to play, ensure a spare is arranged
• Switch off your mobile phone before play
• Compliment good shots and refrain from passing adverse remarks about poor shots
• Keep your scoreboard updated throughout the game (normally the responsibility of the third)
• Start with a handshake and wish “Good Curling”.  End with a handshake and express “Good Game” (during times of COVID, a fist or elbow bump is acceptable)

10 MOST COMMONLY BROKEN RULES

1. Only the skip and third should be behind the house when the opposing team is throwing and should remain still
2. Players, other than skip/third, should remain between the hoglines when the opposition is playing
3. Other than the person in charge of the house for each team, players should not stand in the house whilst the score is being decided or any measure is taking place. Players should stand behind the back line or beyond the hog line
4. Damage to the ice; keep hands or knees off the ice.  Warm body parts create divets in the ice
5. Sweeping behind the tee line: only the skip or third of the non throwing team may sweep when the opposing team is playing
6. Time wasting /ready to play
7. Measuring: don’t use a brush to measure as risk of moving stone and automatically losing the shot
8. Don’t use mobile phones on the ice during a game
9. Don’t cross from one side of the sheet to the other in front of the playing team when they are about to deliver or their stone is in motion
10. 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.