League Rules

PARTICIPATION: Everyone who plays in a TWCC league must have a membership.  

Beginners – less than 5 years experience / Juniors – under 21 at the start of the season

FORFEITS: A team must forfeit if they have only 2 players (1 for mixed doubles) at any point during a game (at game start due to absence/lateness, or during game due to injury/sickness) or only 1 named player from their team (0 for mixed doubles).

SUBSTITUTES: Anyone who meets the league entry requirements (only beginners can sub in beginners leagues, only juniors can sub in junior leagues) can sub as long as they have a membership, but they must throw lead or second (any for mixed doubles).

TIMINGS: Towards the end of your game a bell will ring to indicate you finish the current end and play one more, unless you are already playing the final end.  If you are between ends when the bell rings, you must only play the next end.

HAMMER: Please flip a coin (or similar) to determine this.  The team that wins the flip has choice of hammer or colour.  Indicate who starts with hammer on the scoreboard.

GAMEPLAY: The 5 rock free guard zone & no tick rules are used in all leagues (except mixed doubles).  For mixed doubles, markers in the ice indicate rock placement.

SCORING: All leagues will be 3 points for a win, 1 for a tie, and 0 points for a loss or forfeit.  Teams can concede at any point after 6 ends but any opposing stones in the house will be scored if mid-end.  Extra ends will only be used in playoff games.

DRAW SHOT CHALLENGE: After each game in the Saturday League, one player from each team will throw a draw (with sweeping) on a turn of their choice.  The team that would have had hammer in the next end will go second.  These draws will be measured using the laser, with the distance (cm) and thrower name recorded on the scorecard.  Players can only throw 4 of these per season, any more are scored as a miss (200cm).

SCORECARDS: Must be completed, signed, and handed in at the bar for all games.

TIEBREAKERS: Standings tiebreakers will be settled first by head-to-head, then average DSC (Saturday League), then number of ends (then shots) scored in games between the tied teams.  If teams can’t be ranked at this point, a coin flip will be used.

DISPUTES: While we don’t expect this to be necessary, please email owen@tunbridgewellscurlingclub.co.uk to discuss any disputes.  The issue will be reviewed by an external panel and a decision will be communicated to both teams.

Expected Etiquette

 These are the unwritten rules of the game, known as  the “Spirit Of Curling”:

Ø  Shakehands with your opposition first, and then your teammates before and after each game.

Ø  Beready to throw immediately when it is your turn, to keep the pace up.

Ø  Remain silent and still while the other team are throwing.

Ø  Only 2 members of your team should be around either house while the other team are throwing.  Others should remain between the hog lines.

Ø  Please don’t leave your hands/knees on the ice, as it will melt very quickly.

Ø  If you or your equipment touch (burn) a stone, inform the other team.

Ø  Never slam your broom on the ice or on the backboards.

Ø  Never cheer an opponent’s mistake or misfortune, and acknowledge when they’ve made a great shot.

Ø  If a stone is being measured, only 1 player from each team should be involved.  Everyone else should be on the backboard or past the hog line.

Ø  It is customary for the winning team to offer drinks to the losing team, and socialise together after the game.