Curling Etiquette
Start with a handshake. Greet opposing players with a handshake or fist-bump, tell them your name, and wish them “Good Curling”.
Finish with a handshake. Traditionally, the winning players offer to buy their counterpart a beverage. (Later, the loser should offer a reciprocal drink.)
Keep the ice clean. On-ice footwear is only for curling. Keep an eye on your shoes/grippers to ensure they’re not leaving debris on the ice. Give your broom head a good scrub every few ends with the brushes hanging beside the garbage cans.
Compliment good shots, no matter which team makes them.
Get out of the way. After your team’s rock comes to rest, move to a Side Line. Walk back single-file on the Side Line.
Wait for your turn either between the Hog Lines or on the Boards.
Hold your broom vertical and still.
Don’t distract your opponent. Stay motionless and quiet until your opponent has completed their release.
Do not cross the sheet when your opponent is in the Hack doing their pre-shot routine.
Be ready in the Hack to throw or sweep as soon as your opponent’s rock has come to rest.
Leads should place their Skip’s rock in front of the Hack to speed up the game.
The starting Lead should not help clean up after the end, just find their rock and get in the Hack.
Pay attention even when it’s not your turn. Rocks flying on to other sheets pose a serious safety risk – all players must always be ready to catch rocks.
Never allow a rock to strike the Hack.
Only Vices in the House until the score has been agreed.
Get up. Hands and knees melt the ice - it could be your next shot that goes astray due to those holes you’re making!
Know your role. Each position has responsibilities. Do your job and let others do theirs.
Have fun. Even the top players smile and joke during the game (when appropriate).
Be honest. If you burn a rock before is crosses the far Hog Line, remove that rock immediately. If you burn a rock after it crosses the far Hog Line, report the infraction to the opposition and they will choose whether to remove it and replace all affected rocks or not.
Keep an eye on the clock. Slow curling is boring for everyone. It is unsporting to deliberately kill the clock in a timed game.
