Basic Rules
At the club level our regular games are played over eight ends between two teams of four players. The composition of a team is a lead, who throws first, a second who throws next, followed by the third or vice. The skip is the team captain and usually is the last to throw and he is responsible for calling the game: that is deciding the strategy and showing the players where he wants them to place their rocks. Players from the two teams alternate their throws. The "vices" toss a coin to determine which team will throw the first rock and who will have the hammer (the final stone). In brief:
- We play the 4-rock rule, for clarification refer to the Ontario Curling Association rules
- Skips and Vices are the only ones allowed inside the playing end hog line when rocks are about to be delivered
- Vice skips (and only Vice skips) determine the score at the conclusion of an end. No rocks should be moved until agreement has been reached
- You may sweep your own rocks all the way to the "T" line, but only one player from your team may sweep past the "T" line. Only the skip or vice of the opposing team may sweep your team's rock and only after it has crossed the "T" line.
- If you foul a rock with your feet or broom, while it is in play you must declare the rock "burned". The opposing skip will determine whether it is to be removed or replaced.
For a fuller set of the rules of curling go to the rules as set out on the Ontario Curling Association website.