Teams
A team consists of 4 players.
The Lead, the Second, the Third or the Vice-Skip and the Skip. Every curler
plays 2 stones per End. During the End the Skip is standing in the house
and controls the game. He gives tactical tips (if the curlers should play
offensive or defensive...) and "gives ice" for the stonedelivery (look
under "game"). If the Skip plays his 2 stones the Third stands in the
house.
Finish
of the game
You win the game when you scored
often. A normal play is divided up in 10 Ends. One End lasts about 15
minutes. Per End only one team kann score (compare "points").
Points
Per End only one team can score.
Only this stones can be counted that are in the house (or touch the edge
of the house). A team receives a piont for every stone that is nearer
the center than any other stone from the opponent team (look at pictures).
The two Skips decide this only with the help of their eyes. If they can
not distinguish wich stone is nearer the house they can use a measuring
device. If also the measuring device does not bring a decide nobody receives
a piont.
,
Rink
Sweeping
A team can sweep its stones
between the two Tee-Lines. Stones that are standing still and were transfered
into moving due another stone can also be sweeped. Presweeping is not
allowed. Behind the distant Tee-Line only the Skips are allowed to sweep
the stones. But they can sweep all stones (also the opponent stones).
When the curlers are sweeping or doing other activites no stone is to
be touched. If a team touches a still standing stone it will be transfered
back to the origin position. But if a team touches an own moving stone
that was just played it will be removed of the game and all other stones
that were touched from this stone will be replaced to the origin position.
Free
Guard Zone
Free Guard Zone means all space between hog and teeline except the house. There are two kinds of the Free Guard Zone rule (FGZ-rule): the European or 4-Rock-FGZ-rule and the Canadian or 3-Rock-FGZ-rule. In the European version the first four stones of an End that are in the FGZ (look at the picture) must not be kicked out of the game. In the Canadian version this rule count only for the first three stones of the End. This rule keeps the game more interesting because that team wich has the right of the last stone is not allowed to kick out all opponent stones.
Spirit of Curling
In Curling, there two different types of rules. The official ones and the "Spirit of Curling". The Spirit of Curling contains rules such as, "Always be polite to your opponent" or "The looser congratuates the winner, while the winner thanks the looser for the game". It is even bader to offend against the Spirit of Curling as offend against the official rules.