Five Rock Rule
This season the World Curling Federation has adopted the “five rock rule” to open each end, extended from the “four rock rule,” essentially allowing an additional stone in play before rocks in the Free Guard Zone can be removed from play. Peachtree Curling Association has adopted this rule as well beginning in the 2018-2019 season. As stated in the World Curling Federation rules:
“FREE GUARD ZONE (FGZ) A stone that comes to rest between the tee line and the hog line at the playing end, excluding the house, is deemed to be within an area designated as the FGZ. Also, stones that are in play, on or before the hog line, after striking stones in the FGZ, are deemed to be in the FGZ.
If, prior to the delivery of the SIXTH stone of an end, a delivered stone causes, either directly or indirectly, an opposition stone to be moved from the FGZ to an out-of-play position, then the delivered stone is removed from play, and any displaced stones are replaced, by the non-offending team, to their positions prior to the violation taking place.”
Modified Free Guard Zone for Doubles
No stone in play, including the “positioned” stones and those in the house, can be moved to an out-of-play position prior to the delivery of the fourth stone of an end. If there is a violation, without exception, the delivered stone shall be removed from play, and any displaced stone(s) shall be replaced to their original position by the non-offending team.
Game Clock Update
Peachtree Curling Association will utilize the game clock this year to ensure our members are ready for bonspiel play and to maintain a consistent place on league nights. For eight end games the clock will be set at 1:35 and when it expires, finish the current end and play one additional. An end is over when the final rock of the end leaves the player’s hand.
Substitution Policy
Peachtree Curling Association will use the following substitution policy for leagues:
- PCA members in good standing and a registrant of at least one league are eligible to sub in any league; PCA members in good standing and not a registrant of a league are eligible to sub in leagues a maximum of two times in any 10-week session
- Subs must play lead or second
- Guests and members from out-of-town clubs will be accommodated on a best effort basis
Mechanisms:
- Groupme list for each league night
- If someone needs a sub, then they post to league night GroupMe
- Members can volunteer to sub or respond to requests
- If skips locate their own subs, then they must notify league night GroupMe
- The League chair assigns subs to teams in need (moderating balanced teams and those who sub frequently)
The Spirit of Curling
As we are a young club, we’ve included The Spirit of Curling as well as a few points of emphasis for the year.
“Curling is a game of skill and traditions. A shot well executed is a delight to see and so, too, it is a fine thing to observe the time-honored traditions of curling being applied in the true spirit of the game. Curlers play to win but never to humble their opponents. A true curler would prefer to lose rather than win unfairly.”
“A good curler never attempts to distract an opponent or otherwise prevent another curler from playing his or her best.”
“No curler ever deliberately breaks a rule of the game or any of its traditions. But, if a curler should do so inadvertently and be aware of it, he or she is the first to divulge the breach.”
“While the main objective of the game is to determine the relative skills of the players, the spirit of the game demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honorable conduct. This spirit should influence both the interpretation and application of the rules of the game and also the conduct of all participants on and off the ice.”
