This space will contain a curling "rule of the week". The rule will be taken directly from the latest official rule book "the Rules of Curling" September 2000 (although they may be shortened by leaving some of the interpretation text). They will be taken, more specifically, from the rules of curling for general play. These rules differ from those used in officiated play (i.e. playdowns and other forms of highly competitive curling) mostly in that they do not require any officials to observe the match - it is up to the players themselves to know and enforce all rules. It is hoped curlers will benefit from this feature of the web site and that it will expand knowlege and enjoyment of the game.

Week 10 - Delivery (Rule 8 in part - delivering a stone out of rotation)

Rule 8 (9) (a) If a player delivers a stone out of proper rotation, the end shall continue and the delivery rotation shall continue to be in accordance with Rule 5(3) and 5(4), except as provided for in Rule 5(7).
interpretation: This includes the situation when the team with last stone throws first.
(b) If an error in delivery rotation causes a player on the same team to miss a turn, the player who has missed a turn shall deliver the last stone for his/her team in the end.
interpretation: This rule applies to the situation when the second player delivers the lead player's second stone and other similar delivery rotation errors.
(10) If the opposing teams agree that a stone has been missed but are unable to determine which player missed his/her turn, the lead of the team that missed a turn shall play the last stone for his/her team in that end.
(11) (a) If a team delivers two stones in succession in the same end, they shall remove the second stone that was played, replace any stone(s) displaced by the stone and the end shall continue. The delivery rotation of the offending team shall be altered for that end so that the player delivered the second of the two stones delivered in succession shall deliver the last stone for his/her team in that end.
(b) If the non-offending team delivers a stone prior to the error in delivery rotation being detected, the end shall be continued. If the non-offending team has last stone they shall deliver the last two stones of the end in succession. If the non-offending team is the team who started the end without last stone they shall deliver the last stone of the end.
(12) If a player on a four player team delivers three stones in one end, except as provided for in rule 5(7), the end shall continue and the fourth player on the offending team shall deliver one stone only in that end.

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Week 9 - Sweeping/Brushing (continued from week 8)

(7) All sweeping/brushing shall take place in front of the delivered stone or stone set in motion and within 6 feet (1.83 meters) of the stone.
(8) When sweeping with a corn/straw broom, the sweeping motion shall take place with the corn/straw pointing in the direction of play.
Interpretation: Backward sweeping with a corn/straw broom is not acceptable.
Penalty If a team declares its own violation of Rule 11(6), 11(7) or 11(8), all stones shall be allowed to come to rest before any action is taken. At this time the non-offending team has the option of:
i) allowing the play to stand; or
ii) removing the unfairly swept/brushed stone from play and replacing all affected stones as close as possible to their original position; or
iii) placing the unfairly swept/brushed stone and stone(s) it would have affected where they would have come to rest had the sweeping/brushing violation not occurred.

Week 8 - Sweeping/Brushing (continued from week 7)

(4) Behind the tee line, the delivering team shall have first priviledge of sweeping/brushing any stone. If their choice is not to sweep/brush, they shall not obstruct or prevent the non-delivering team from sweeping/brushing the stone.
(5) An opponent's stone shall not be swept/brushed until it reaches the farther tee line and sweeping/brushing shall only take place behind the tee line.
Penalty: If a team declares its own violation of rule 11(1), 11(2), 11(3), 11(4) or 11(5), all stones shall be allowed to come to rest before any action is taken. At this time, the non-offending team may allow the play to stand or place the stone and all stones it would have affected where they would have come to rest had the sweeping violation not occurred.
(6)
(a) The sweeping brushing motion shall be from side to side.
(b) The sweeping/brushing motion shall not leave any debris in front of a delivered stone or a stone set in motion.
(c) The final sweeping/brushing motion shall finish to either side of the delivered stone or stone set in motion. (to be continued)

Week 7 - Sweeping/Brushing

(1) Between the tee lines, all members of the delivering team may sweep/brush any of their team's stones that have been delivered or set in motion.
(2) Only the skip or vice-skip of the non-delivering team may sweep/brush their team's stone(s) after it is set in motion.
(3) Behind the tee line, only one player from each team may sweep/brush at one time. This may be the skip or vice-skip of either team or the lead or second of the delivering team.
interpretation: The only time a lead or second of the delivering team may sweep/brush behind the tee line is when sweeping/brushing his/her team's delivered stone or any stone set in motion. (to be continued)

Week 6 - Measuring

(1) Measurements shall be taken from the tee to the closest part of the stone.
interpretation: Because stones may vary in diameter, measurements shall not be taken from the tee to the farthest part of a stone.
(2) No physical device to aid visual observation shall be used in measuring prior to the last stone delivered in the end coming to rest except as provided for in rule 12(2) (i.e. is stone in free guard zone).
(3) Decisions on whether a stone is in or out of play shall be visual (no accepted measuring device). If the opposing teams cannot agree, they may request a non-partisan third party to render a decision.
(4) If two or more stones are so close to the tee that a measuring device cannot be used, and if a visual comparison cannot determine which stone is closest to the tee, the stones shall be considered tied. If these stones were to determine who counted in the end, the end shall be considered blank.
(5) A measuring stick that measures a distance of six feet from the tee shall be used, if necessary, to confirm whether a stone is within six feet of the tee as provided for in rule 12(2) and 13(5).

Week 5 - Free Guard Zone interpretation

This (see free guard zone - week 2 - rule) includes the delivering team's stones. A delivered third stone of an end may hit a stone in the free guard zone onto a stone not in the free guard zone providing the original free guard zone stone remains in play. If the original free guard zone stone is removed from play, penalty situation #1 shall apply.

Penalty situation #1: If a stone(s) in the free guard zone is removed from play prior to the delivery of the forth stone of the end, the non-offending team may;
i) allow the play to stand; or ii) remove the stone just delivered from play and replace the displaced stationary stone(s) as close as possible to its original position.

Week 4 - Equipment (Hugh will like this one!)

(1) A player shall not use footwear or equipment that may damage or affect the playing quality of the ice surface. (Examples: excessive debris from from a corn/straw broom, shedding brushes, faulty slider or gripper.)
(2) At the start of each game, each player shall declare what type of sweeping/brushing device that he/she shall be using for the duration of the game (brush, synthetic straw style broom or corn/straw broom). Players may change or exchange brushes, brush heads and synthetic straw style brooms during a game. Players shall use the same corn/straw broom for the duration of the game and shall not exchange a corn/straw broom with an other player.
(3)A broom or brush broken during the game shall be replaced by the same type of broom or brush.
(4)The use of a curling aid commonly referred to as a "delivery stick" which enables a player to deliver a stone without placing a hand on the handle is considered acceptable. If a player starts a game with a delivery stick then that player shall use a delivery stick throughout the game. If a player starts a game without a delivery stick, then a delivery stick shall not be used by that player in that game.
(5) The use of a curling aid commonly referred to as a "delivery balance device" is considered acceptable. The balance device shall not exceed 5 feet (152.4 centimetres) in length and 12 inches (30.5 centimetres in width. Height may vary.

Week 3 - no rule this week due to lack of interest.

Week 2 - Free Guard Zone (Three Rock Rule)

(1) The free guard zone is the area between the hog line and the tee line, excluding the house.
(2) After the delivery of each of the first two stones of an end it is the responsibility of the skip of the team who is about to deliver to ensure agreement with the opposing skip as to whether or not the stone just delivered has come to rest in the free guard zone. If they cannot agree, they may make the determination by using the six-foot measuring stick. If the position of another stone hinders the use of the six-foot measure they may reposition this stone, complete the measurement and replace the stone to its original position.
(3) Any stationary stone(s) located within the free guard zone shall not be removed from play until after the third stone of the end has been delivered and all stones have come to rest or are out of play.

Week 1 - Curlers' 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 officials.
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 Cod of Ethics or rules of the game.