Revised Oct. 2025
In the interest of fun, fair play and good sportsmanship, all King Curling Club members and non-members are required to follow these general house rules. Teams are encouraged to check with League Conveners for any league-specific rules that may be
in place.
- The clock on the ice will be considered the official timepiece for the club.
- Whenever possible, the ice will be ready for play 5 minutes before the scheduled game time. Teams should be ready to enter the ice area and assume play as quickly as possible. Teams are encouraged to start their game as early as possible and encourage quick play to increase the likelihood that 8 ends may be played.
- Skips should ensure their teams are ready to play 10 minutes prior to game time. A game may start if a team has 3 players and may add a 4 th player in their regular position only at the start of a new end.
- Teams without a minimum of 2 regular team members will forfeit the game. If a team does not have 3 players or is not present 5 minutes after the official start time, the non-offending team will be awarded the end and 2 points for the first end and game play will start in the second end.
- If a team does not have at least 3 players15 minutes after the start time, the game will be considered a forfeit. The skips may then choose to play an exhibition game or use the ice for practice. Skips are expected to notify the opposing skip if they are going to forfeit a game.
- League games are a maximum of 8 ends. Ties are not broken.
- The 5-rock Free Guard Zone Rule (FGZ) will be in play for all leagues. Prior to the delivery of the 6 th stone of an end, a delivered stone causes an opposition stone in the free guard zone which is touching the centre line to be moved to an off-centre line position or to a position outside the FGZ, the non-offending team has the option to:
(i) remove the delivered stone from play, and replace all stones that were
displaced to their positions prior to the violation taking place; or
(ii) leave all stones where they came to rest.
If the stone is moved from the centre line to an out-of-play position, then the FGZ
rule applies.This does not apply for wheelchair curling or for mixed doubles competitions. - In the playoffs, tie games will be decided by a 'measure and remove' draw to the button towards the glass. One throw per team will be take place with sweeping. For team entry leagues, skips should confirm this rule with the League Convener.
- Skips shall follow the guidelines to encourage a good speed of play in order for 8 ends to be played within the allotted time.
- For 6:30-8:30PM and 8:30-10:30PM draws, a new end is not permitted to begin after 8:15PM or 10:25PM. That is, the first rock of the end must be released while the clock still reads 8:15PM or 10:25PM or earlier. Following this rule will ensure that ice maintenance does not impact the late games. Consequently, the allotted time has been adjusted to compensate on the late draw.
- For 7:00-9:00 PM and 9:00-11:00 draws, a new end is not permitted to begin after 8:45PM or 10:55PM. That is, the first rock of the end must be released while the clock still reads 8:45PM or 10:55PM or earlier. Following this rule will ensure that ice maintenance does not impact the late games. Consequently, the allotted time has been adjusted to compensate on the late draw.
- Vices are responsible for agreeing on the score in an end before any rocks are moved. Vices will perform a measure when needed. All other players should stay out of the house until the results of the measure are agreed upon.
- All bonspiels organized and hosted by the King Curling Club will follow the 'No-Tick' rule as mandated by Curling Canada.
