WECSSAA Curling Regulations 2008-2009

1.    Rules of Play

(1)  The playing rules will be the current Canadian Curling Association (CCA) Rules for General Play.

(2)  In case of conflict between these regulations and the CCA Rules for General Play, these regulations shall take precedence.

(3)  In case of conflict between these regulation and the WECSSAA Constitution, these regulations shall be modified to comply with the WECSSAA Constitution.

(4)  In case of a rules dispute, the skips are to consult the convenor/draw master. This is not charged as a time out.

2.    Draw Master

(1)  The convenor, the past convenor, or Mark Masanovich will be the draw master at Roseland.

Dr. Tony Braithwaite will be the draw master at Kingsville.

3.    Length of Game

The Hammer, first warm up, and the top colour on the scoreboard goes to the team listed first on the schedule. If there is an even number of teams, this will be arranged such that each team will get the hammer half of the time. If there is an odd number of teams the convenor will use a coin toss the determine the hammer for the last game.

(1)  Teams are to arrive in time to begin first warm up at 3:30 pm, and at second warm up at 3:35 pm.

       Games are to start at 3:40 pm

       Games are a maximum of 8 ends.

       At the 5:50 buzzer, an end may begin only if the previous end has finished.

       An end is considered finished when the final rock comes to rest.

(2)  Late Arrival

       Teams may not enter the ice surface until a staff member from their school is present.

       A team arriving after 3:40 pm forfeits their warm up and the hammer.

       One end and one point will be forfeited for every additional ten minutes after 3:40 pm.

       If a team has not arrived by 4:20 pm the game will be considered forfeited.

(3)  A ten minute concession to the above times will be added for games in Kingsville, but every effort will be made to start the games by 3:40 . In Kingsville, the final buzzer will sound at 5:45 pm. If the buzzer is to sound earlier, this will be made clear to the coach and skip of both teams before the start of the game.

(4)  Any changes to the above due to weather or other extenuating circumstances will be made clear to the coach and skip of both teams before the start of the game.

4.    Warm Up

(1)  The team listed first on the schedule shall warm up first.

(2)  The warm up shall consist of each team having 5 minutes to warm up. A buzzer will sound at 3:30 for the beginning of first warm up, at 3:35 for the beginning of second warm up, and at 3:40 for the start of the game.

(3)  Warm up shall be on the ice on which the team is scheduled to play and only with the stones they will be using in the game. Coaches with appropriate footwear may be on the ice during the warmup.

(4)  Teams shall not warm up prior to 3:30.

5.    Time-Outs (1-3 taken from the SWOSSAA regulations)

(1)  Each team shall be entitled to one five minute break at the end of the fourth end and one three minute time out before the start of the first extra end.

(2)  Each team shall be entitled two sixty second time-outs, called by the skip or coach, at any time during the game when the team has control of the house.

(3)  Teams may not leave the playing area during a time-out. The team that called the time out may access the playing surface. Coaches must wear appropriate footwear to access the ice surface. The team that did not call the time out may confer with the coach, but may not access the playing surface.

(4)  If the game goes into extra ends, each team may call one (1) one minute time out during each extra end. Time outs shall not be carried forward to extra end(s) or from one extra end to another.

(5)  In the spirit of sportsmanship, a time out should not be used as a means to delay the game past the 5:50 buzzer.

(6)  Time out procedure: Upon seeing the skip signal for time-out, or acknowledge the coach’s signal for a time-out, the coach will call out to the drawmaster in a clear loud voice: “Time-Out please, Team X on sheet Y”. The drawmaster will then acknowledge the request by announcing (behind the glass only) “Time -Out Called by Team X on Sheet Y”. Both coaches will then proceed with the drawmaster to the same rink door. Coaches then go out from the same place, at the same time, for a controlled, timed period. Do not bang on the glass to get your skip’s attention for a time out.

6.    Scoring

(1)  Scores are: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and zero points for a loss.

(2)  Tie Breaking Procedures

If at the end of the regular season a tie exists for the determination of the top four places the following procedure shall be used:

       (1) The win-loss record(s) between/among the tied teams.

       (2) The number of ends won over the season, and if that is tied, then the number of points won over the season, and then if still tied, the number of points given up over the season... and lastly to a simple draw out of a hat.

       (3) A tie between fourth and fifth place shall be broken by an additional playoff game. If three or more teams are tied for playoff qualification (fourth spot), requiring two (or more) levels of play down games, then the bye (if required) be awarded to the team that won based on the tie breaking procedures above.

(3)  Score cards are to be completed by the winning vice and submitted to the convenor. Blank ends and ends not played at the end of the game are scored as a half end for each team.

7.    Playoffs

(1)  According to the WECSSAA constitution, sudden death playoff games are considered playoffs and therefore follow the same regulations as regular playoff games.

(2)  During playoffs, all teams must be complete (4 players).

(3)  Playoff games shall be played at Roseland Golf and Curling Club.

(4)  The playoff draw will be as follows: 1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3. The victors will advance to the finals, the others will advance to the consolation finals.

(5)  Games will be eight ends, within the time constraints of the club.

(6)  In the event of a tie after eight ends of a playoff game, full ends shall be played until a winner is declared.

8.    Eligibility of Players

(1)  Eligibility of players shall be determined by according to the WECSSAA Constitution.

(2)  Transfer Regulations

An A-division player has regularly played in “A” league in a previous season and/or has curled at a highly competitive level, i.e. OCA curling.

A B-division player has never been a regular player in “A” league, although he or she may have been used as an emergency spare in A league.

The B-division is intended for the development of players and for schools that have an overflow of players from A-league. Where possible, teams that have played a season in the B-Division should advance to A-Division.

The following rules apply to the transfer of players between A and B Divisions.

       (1) A player may not play in the B-division for more than two years.

       (2) An A-division player may spare for the B-division, but may only throw lead rocks. (In the event that a school is unable to field an “A team”, and an “A-team player” is thus left with no other option than to play in “B” league, special sanction may be granted, at the discretion of the “B” league convenor, for that player to play as a regular in “B” league, and in a specific position other than lead: taking into consideration factors such as the strengths and/or weaknesses of that particular team.)

        (3) The current acting convenors shall make all decisions, regarding appeals and exceptions, in the interest of equity.

(3)  Each school will be limited to one boys team and one girls team.

9.    Direction

(1)  No coach, parent, or other individual shall instruct, direct, or interfere in any game at any time.

10.  Code of Conduct

(1)  Competitors are not permitted to wear any kind of alcohol or tobacco advertizing on their on-ice curling attire.

(2)  In appropriate behaviour will not be tolerated at any time in WECSSAA competition (eg. slamming or throwing of brushes in anger, willful damage to the curling club, offensive and or abusive language, etc.). Such inappropriate behaviour shall be subject to the disciplinary procedures outlined below.

       (1) Coaches’ Fair Play Time-Out

The purpose of the Coaches’ Fair Play Time-Out is to provide the coach with the opportunity to diffuse a potentially negative situation regarding a player’s on ice demeanor before the situation escalates or to counsel an athlete relative to adhering to the rules of the game.

             (1) Each coach shall be provided the opportunity to request a one minute fair play time-out per game.

             (2) A coaches’ fair play time-out shall only be implemented with the approval of the official.

             (3) Only the coach who requested the fair play time-out may access the playing area accompanied by the official.

             (4) A coaches’ fair play time-out may be recommended by an official.

       (2) A second violation of regulation 10(2) will require the convenor to address the offending team and warn that any further violation will result the ejection of the offending player(s).

       (3) A third violation will result in the ejection of the offending player(s). If more than one player on a team must be ejected, the game will be considered forfeited.

(3)  The use of profanity toward or striking another player, coach, or official will result in automatic ejection.

(4)  An ejected player will be subject to Section 7.01 of the WECSSAA constitution.

11. Awards

(1)  A plaque and five medals will be awarded to the first place boys and girls teams. Five medals will be awarded to the second and third place boys and girls team.

(2)  The Ed Swierenga Memorial Sportsmanship Award will be awarded to the boys team and the girls team voted for by the players. Voting will take place during the last week of the regular season. Each team will vote for their first and second choice.