Rules of the Game for League Play

General

Except as modified or expressly provided herein, the rules of the United States Curling Association shall govern all play.

Legal Team

1.                A legal team (other than for Men’s curling) shall consist of at least three (3) curlers, at least one (1) of whom must be a regular member of the team.

2.                A legal team (Men’s Curling) shall consist of a least three (3) curlers, at least two (2) of whom must be on the original roster of the team at the beginning of the Event.  Further, any substitute, to be considered as a valid substitute and qualify as part of a legal team, must be arranged for in advance of the night of play or be a curler who is not assigned to a team scheduled to play that evening but who shows up in hopes of being a substitute. A player borrowed from another team on the night of play shall not be considered a valid substitute.

3.                In mixed curling, one (1) of the three (3) members must be of a sex different than the other two.  The throwing order must alternate genders whenever possible.

Substitutes

1.                If a member of a team is unable to play, he or she must arrange for a substitute and notify the skip of the team.

2.                In cases of emergency only, to allow a game to be played after a forfeit has been declared, the borrowing of a curler, to be designated by the skip of the loaning team, from another team will be permitted.

3.                A substitute is allowed to play in any position.

Scoring

1.                All regular events shall be scored on a win‑lose basis with the winning team receiving 1 point and the losing team receiving 0 points except as stated below.

2.                In any event where there are successive draws, in order not to delay following draws, ties will not be played off and each team will receive 1/2 point.

3.                In any event where there are no successive draws, ties will be played off with each curler delivering only one stone each to determine the winner. The team winning the last regular end will deliver the first stone in the extra end.

4.                All teams winning by forfeit will be considered winners and will receive 1 point.

5.                A team which is not a legal team must forfeit to a legal team who will be considered the winner and will receive 1 point; the game may be played, but the forfeit score as above shall stand.  If both teams are non‑legal, a game may be played, but both teams shall be considered as forfeiting and no points shall be awarded.

6.                The vice‑skips shall sign the score sheets and deposit them in the place provided for the event.

7.                Event Chairs are responsible for recording scores weekly, posting team rankings on the display board, and determining the event winners upon conclusion of the event.

General Playing Rules and Courtesies

1.                Team must be ready to play at the scheduled time. A team not ready to play at the scheduled time shall forfeit 1 point and 1 end for the first full ten minutes delay and for each additional ten minutes up to 30 minutes. Teams more than ten minutes late shall also deliver the first stone. After 30 minutes, the late team shall forfeit. A team may start with 3 players, and a tardy player may join at the start of the next end.

2.                The sweeping motion shall be from side to side in front of the stone and shall clearly finish to the side of the stone.

3.                A stone must be in motion before it can be swept.  Warming the ice is illegal.

4.                Behind the tee line, a team has first privilege of sweeping its own stone, but it must not obstruct or prevent its opponent from sweeping.  It is unsportsmanlike to prevent an opposing player from sweeping an opposing stone behind the T‑line.

5.                All measurements shall be made by the vice skips, and no one else shall be allowed in the house during the measurement.

Bell Rule

Games will be timed with the clock stating at the scheduled time for the draw (whether teams have commenced play or not).  When the clock indicates 1 hour 50 minutes from the start time of the draw, there will be no further first rocks delivered.  The current end may be completed but no new end started.  Everyone is asked to promptly exit the ice, so it can be cleaned and readied for the next draw.

Interpretation of Rules

Any questions about these rules or their interpretation, except during the course of a game, shall be referred to and be answered by the Curling Chair. During the course of the game, questions shall be referred to the Event Chairman or a person designated by such Chair.