MNO Rules

Monday Night Open

V2 Prepared Oct 22, 2017.

Rules:

Do your part to create a friendly environment for members of all curling skill levels, including those new-to-curling. Have fun; practice your skills!
Games are 8 ends. Ties will not be broken. You are encouraged to play at least 6 ends, in the spirit of fun and to provide new or infrequent curlers, the opportunity to practice their game.
Scores are kept during game, but final scores are not recorded or tracked. There are no playoffs.
OCC’s bell rule will be in effect.
Games are played with the “Five Rock Rule.”
Two 3-person teams may play a 6-rock game on skips’ agreement.
Teams are created by the convenor; you do not pick your team. New teams are created for each series.
Spouse will not be assigned to the same team, but will be assigned to the same game-time. If an error has occurred, please advise the convenor for future schedule correction.
Same game-time may be requested for carpoolers.
Other rules as per OCA and OCC Rules of Play.

Spares:

You are responsible for getting a spare if you can not make a game. (Once you have logged into the OCC website click "League Info > Spares")
Use the spares list first, although anytime members may substitute in any regular games.
Spares should play the position they are substituting for; however, this can be negotiated at the start of the game, in consideration of skills and interest of teammates, and balancing team, for a fun game.
Notify your skip if unable to play and supply the name of the spare. (To find your skip, log onto the OCC website, click "Club Info > Roster")

What position can I play?

This is a non-competitive league and many like this night for the opportunity to try different positions and develop their curling skills. This is encouraged! However, if you are new to curling, it may not be appropriate to be a vice or skip right away, as this may significantly impact others’ experience on the ice. Feel free to discuss your position interests with your skip or league convenor, to guide you in future position requests. It is suggested that to play Vice & Skips you have at least 40 games experience (e.g. 1 season @ 2 nights/week or 2 seasons @ 1 night/week.)

Can I remove myself from a team assignment for one series?

You can remove yourself from a regular team assignment. However, please note that if there is someone waiting to be placed on a team in the Monday night league, your spot will be reassigned. Assuming there is a spot open for the next series, then you can be assigned to a regular team again, on your return. (The ability to do so depends on the current interest in this league, which fluctuates.) Alternately, you can retain your spot on a team, by finding a spare for the nights you will be away.

If you decide to remove yourself, please notify your convenor as soon as possible.
If you also want to be added to the spares list, you must do so yourself, by logging into the OCC website member’s area, click "My Info > My Sparing”.

Curling Etiquette and General Reminders:

Before the game:

Arrive on the ice a few minutes before the start of the game, so the game can start at the scheduled time. You will hear a 5-minute warning bell before the early game.
Introduce yourself and shake hands with your opponents & wish everyone “good curling”.
A Vice/Third from one team spins the wheel, (or flips a coin) while the other team’s Vice makes the call. Whichever team wins the toss has the option of throwing the last rock, or choosing rock colour. The team that wins the toss will usually opt for the advantage of last rock, in which case the other team chooses the colour they want.

During game:

Be quiet when opponents are in position to start delivering their rocks, and through delivery.
Thrower should be in the hack with the rock cleaned before the opposition rock has come to rest.
Sweepers should be between the hog lines when rocks are delivered by the opposition. You should not be in the house when it is the opposition’s turn to throw.
Keep to the edge of your sheet when you have finished sweeping your team's rock and you're walking back down the sheet; the other team will be throwing their rock and sightlines down the sheet should be unblocked.
You should avoid stepping onto or walking up and down the sheet of ice next to the one you're playing on.
Lead should put the Skip rocks in the hack to help with the flow of the game. You should not put rocks out for your opponents.
Strategy and decision making is the responsibility of the SKIP. When it comes time for Skips to throw, they should discuss strategy with their Vice/Third. These decisions should not be drawn out. Taking too much time is unfair on the opposition.
Seconds and Leads can get involved in some strategy discussions, but consistently being involved slows the game down.
Skips, try to plan and decide the next shot as the opposition is executing the current shot.
It's okay for a Skip to stand behind the other Skip to watch the line, but the Skip behind should try not to have their broom placed down vertically on the ice, since this may put the thrower off by seeing two brooms! It's courtesy for the Skip standing behind to position their broom horizontally across their body and remain still during the throw.
After all rocks are thrown, the Vices decide and agree on the score of the end. Only then should the other players enter the house and gather the rocks by colour only, except for the next Lead. The lead starting the next end should find his/her rock and get ready in the hack.
If you throw with a stabilizer, devise a system with yourself and/or your team mates to ensure the stabilizer is at the proper throwing location before your first shot each end.
When measuring a rock, the vice of the team that has last rock the next end should return the measuring stick to its proper location.

End of Game:

Both teams shake hands after a game.
It’s considered good etiquette to sit with your opposition after the game over drinks. Winning teams usually buy drinks for opposition and then opponents reciprocate. (Drink responsibly! Non-alcoholic drinks are okay.)

Ice Etiquette:

Remain off the ice while the ice crew completes the ice maintenance.
Make sure shoes are curling shoes or cleaned indoor shoes.
Clean your shoes before going on the ice. Use the sticky mat.
Clean brooms over garbage cans so dirt etc. does not fall onto the ice or carpet.
Don’t put hands on the ice or kneel on ice for extended period; it melts/marks the ice.

Skip as leader

Make your team aware of curling etiquette.
Make sure your team is ready to play at the scheduled time. If a member of your team is not able to start on time, inform the opponent skip, start your game and fit your team member in when they arrive.
Good ice is important! Please point out to your team that sitting or resting on the ice deteriorates the ice. It is okay to touch the ice when you are moving but not when you are stationary. Continue to make curlers aware of this.
Be aware of safety. Recommend grippers be new (replace regularly) and worn always after a delivery. Help sweepers prevent falls by suggesting that when they are sweeping their feet and body face towards the house they are delivering towards.
Set an example; be courteous & be aware of team dynamics. Be a Nice Person.
Tailor your expectations to the ability of your team members. Be considerate of those of lesser skills and talent.