Groups of four take it turn-wise to curl two rocks towards the objective zone with the scores being checked after each of the sixteen (16) rocks have been sent down the ice.
International matches have a time period of seventy-three (73) minutes for every side with two breaks included for each side. An additional break of ten (10) minutes for each side is allowed in case of a tie.
Foul tosses are expelled from the ice before they have stopped or come in contact with different rocks.
A stone contacted or moved when in play by a player or their broom will either be replaced or expelled relying upon the circumstance.
The group to go first is chosen by a coin toss, "attract to-the-catch" challenge or, in Olympic competition utilizing win-loss records. In this way, the group that failed to score in the past has the upside of going last, called the hammer throw.
A group may yield on the off chance that they believe they cannot win, in spite of the fact that is relying upon the occasion and phase of occasion they may need to hold up until a specific number of ends have been finished.
Reasonable play is of enormous significance so there is a culture of self-refereeing with respect to fouls and this is a major part of curling.
The Right-handed players deliver stones from the hack on the left-side of the center line and Left-handed players deliver stones from the hack on the right-side of the center line. A stone is removed if this rule is violated.
The player must release the stone before it reaches the near hog line. Otherwise, the stone is removed from the play.
Sweeping might be finished by two individuals from the team to the tee line, while after that point just a single player can brush. After the tee, one player from the opposing side may likewise sweep. Neither the sweeper nor the equipment must touch the stone at any time.
Behind the tee line, only one player from each team either the Skip or theVice-skip (acting skip) may sweep at one time.
Smoking, including e-smoking devices are prohibited in the competition area.
Any variation in the recommended ice sheet measurements must be approved by the World Curling Federation.
For World Championships, gold medals are awarded to the first placed team, silver to the second placed team and bronze to the third placed team.
For Olympic Winter Games, Youth Olympic Games and the Paralympic Winter Games only the players receive the medals and are allowed on the podium.
Participating Teams
Each team is designated by its Association/ Federation and if a designated team is unable or unwilling to participate then the Federation involved will nominate another team.
To be eligible to play in the World Junior Curling Championships (“WJCC”) and qualifying events, a player must be less than 21 years of age and for World Senior Curling Championships (“WSCC”), a player must not be less than 50 years of age by the end of 30th day of June of the preceding year in which championship is to take place.
The team delivery rotation, skip and vice-skip positions, alternate player, and coach are listed on the original team line-up form and the form must be submitted to the Chief Umpire at least fifteen minutes prior to the pre-game practice to either confirm the team line up or to indicate a change.
A team must start a competition with four players (two for Mixed Doubles) for delivering stones.
While a game is in progress, the coach, the alternate player, and all other team officials are prohibited from communicating with their team except during specially designated breaks or a team ‘time-out’.
Uniforms/Equipment
All team members need to wear identical uniforms and appropriate footwear when accessing the field of play.
The team wears light-colored shirts and jackets when assigned stones with light-colored handles and wear dark-colored when assigned with dark-colored handles.
Each player must declare an approved sweeping device at the start of a game and only that player can use that device for sweeping during the game. Penalty: If a player sweeps with another person’s sweeping device one of their own stones, the stone shall be removed from play. If a player sweeps with another person’s sweeping device a stone belonging to the opponent, the stone should be replaced by the non-offending team where it would have come to rest, had the violation not occurred.
Players may not change their brush heads during a game, unless the Chief Umpire grants special permission. Penalty: If a change is made without permission, the team will forfeit the game.
If an alternate player comes into a game, that player must use the brush head of the player being replaced. Penalty: If a new brush head is brought into the game, the team will forfeit the game.
Pre-Game Practice
Prior to the start of every game at WCF competitions, each team is allowed a pre-game practice on the ice sheet on which it will be playing.
The time and duration of the pre-game practice is given at the Team Meeting.
The schedule for pre-game practices during the round-robin will be predetermined as much as possible, based on the criterion that each team has first and second practice an equal number of times. For the round-robin games where this cannot be pre-determined the winner of a coin toss will have the choice of first or second practice.
In post round-robin games, when the Last Stone of the first round has been pre-determined, the team delivering the last stone in the first end practices first.
If the Chief Ice Technician deems it necessary, the ice will be cleaned, and the slide path re-pebbled, after the pre-game practice.
Length of Game
In competitions in which 10 Ends are scheduled a minimum of 8 Ends must be completed in play-off games and a minimum of 6 Ends must be completed in all other games.
In competitions in which 8 Ends are scheduled, a minimum of 6 Ends must be completed.
Updated On :21 Dec, 2023
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