While there are many official rules there are also many unwritten rules or etiquettes that have evolved over many generations. To help everyone feel comfortable and enjoy the game the following is an explanation of some of the unwritten rules. If you are unsure feel free to ask a more experienced player what to do.
Positions:
The positions are Lead (throws first two rocks each end), second (throws third and fourth rocks), third or vice‐skip (throws fifth and sixth rocks and holds the broom when the skip throws) and skip (holds the broom, calls the shots and throws the last two rocks). The rocks are numbered and you should always throw the same two rocks.
Before the game starts:
Curling is meant to be a friendly social game so before play starts a player should shake hands with each of their opponents and wish them “good curling” or “good game”.
The thirds or vices will flip a coin. The team that wins the flip gets their choice of the hammer (shooting last) in the first end or color of rock.
When it is your turn to throw:
Be ready as quickly as you can. As soon as the hack is open to you get your rock, clean it and be ready to look at your skip for instruction.
When it is not your turn to throw:
If you are throwing next, you should stand quietly behind the hack, so you are not a distraction to the person throwing.
If you are not throwing or are not the next person to throw, then you should stand quietly on the side of the sheet between the hog lines. You should not gather behind the thrower nor should you gather around the end where the skip is. Only the skip, and occasional the vice, should be standing around the house looking at the rocks and determining what shot is to be called.
Sweeping:
If you are not the skip and you are not throwing rocks, then your job is to sweep. You can start beside the shooter or at any point along the way down the ice. Stay close to the rock and be ready to sweep should the skip call for you to sweep. They might say “sweep” or “yes” or even “hurry, hard”. Sweeping should be done across the path of the rock. To be effective you have to lean hard on your broom when sweeping. If you hit your broom on the rock it is a burnt rock and is removed from play. In social curling this rule is not always strictly enforced unless it changes the path the rock is taking. In the event of a conflict it is the opposing skip’s decision to place the rocks where they would have ended up had the
rock not been burned.
When walking back and forth on the ice, stay to the outside of the sheet so you are not in the line of vision between shooter and skip on the other team. When the other team is shooting try to stand still until they release the rock to not be a distraction.
At the completion of an end:
The vices are responsible to determine who has scored. Don’t move the rocks until they have agreed. Sometimes it can be very close and a measure might be required. The vices will put the score on the Board. Help put the rocks back to where they belong against the boards. They should go back in the right numerical order.
When the game is over:
Shake hands with all the other team and say “good game or thank you”.
The winning team is responsible to buy a beverage of choice for the opposite player on the losing team. The losing team member should reciprocate and purchase a drink for the player who bought them a drink. Join your teammates and the team you played against at a table together.
Reminders:
- Grippers are always to be worn over CLEAN running shoes when on the ice.
- Follow your nose. Walk in the direction that your nose faces, never walk backwards.
- Please keep any warm parts of your body off the ice (i.e. hands, knees) as it melts the ice.
- Never pick up the curling rock off the ice, they are heavy.
- Never step on the ice over stones.
- ALWAYS REMEMBER, ICE IS SLIPPERY AND HARD. If you fall and hit your head, 911 will be called (Rowans Law).