2019-20

USCA RULES of CURLING &

Competition

USA Curling National Office: 5525 Clem’s Way,

Stevens Point, WI 54482-8841
888-287-5377 or 715-344-1199
[email protected] www.usacurl.org

Notice: The USCA’s Championship Rules may be changed, in whole or

in part, prior to the playdown process. This includes championship
berth allotments for regions and specific teams, as granted in these
rules. The regions and teams are not guaranteed a berth beyond the
current USCA Championship. The rules for one year’s championship
will not be construed to give or imply any right for future
championships. USCA policy is to promulgate its rules in advance of
the competition affected by those rules, through its due process of
committee and board meetings. Any mistakes, omissions or ambiguity
may be subject to clarification by the Competitions Committee.
(Revised October 2019)

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 The Spirit of Curling
Curling is a game of skill and tradition. A shot well executed is a delight
to see and it is also a fine thing to observe the time-honored traditions
of curling being applied in the true spirit of the game. Curlers play to
win, but never to humble their opponents. A true curler never
attempts to distract opponents, nor to prevent them from playing
their best, and would prefer to lose rather than to win unfairly.

Curlers never knowingly break a rule of the game, nor disrespect any
of its traditions. Should they become aware that this has been done
inadvertently, they will be the first to divulge the breach.

While the main object of the game of curling is to determine the

relative skill of the players, the spirit of curling demands good
sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honorable conduct.

This spirit should influence both the interpretation and the application
of the rules of the game and also the conduct of all participants on and
off the ice.

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Table of Contents
SECTION I – RULES OF CURLING ............................................................................................... 4
R1. SHEET................................................................................................................................. 4
R2. STONES .............................................................................................................................. 5
ICE SHEET DIMENSIONS CHART ................................................................................................. 6
R3. TEAMS ................................................................................................................................ 7
R4. POSITION OF PLAYERS ........................................................................................................ 9
R5. DELIVERY ......................................................................................................................... 10
R6. FREE GUARD ZONE (FGZ) ................................................................................................. 11
R7. SWEEPING........................................................................................................................ 12
R8. TOUCHED MOVING STONES ............................................................................................. 12
R9. DISPLACED STATIONARY STONES ..................................................................................... 14
R10. EQUIPMENT ................................................................................................................... 15
R11. SCORING ........................................................................................................................ 17
R12. INTERRUPTED GAMES ..................................................................................................... 19
R13.WHEELCHAIR CURLING .................................................................................................... 19
R14. MIXED CURLING .............................................................................................................. 20
R15. MIXED DOUBLES CURLING .............................................................................................. 21
R16. PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES ............................................................................................... 25
R17. INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR ............................................................................................. 26

SECTION II - USCA CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES ......................................................................... 27

GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES .......................................................................................... 27

SECTION III - USCA CHAMPIONSHIPS ..................................................................................... 40

ARENA NATIONAL MEN’S & WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP ......................................................... 40
CLUB NATIONAL MEN’S & WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP............................................................ 41
MIXED NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ......................................................................................... 42
JUNIOR MEN’S & JUNIOR WOMEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.......................................... 44
MIXED DOUBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP .......................................................................... 47
NATIONAL MEN’S & WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS (Challenge Rounds) .................................... 51
SENIOR MEN’S & SENIOR WOMEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ......................................... .56
U18 BOYS & GIRLS NATIONAL CHPAMPIONSHIPS ................................................................... 57
YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES TRIALS (2020) .................................................................................. 59

SECTION IV – EVENT PROCEDURES......................................................................................... 62

WCF TIE-BREAK CHART FOR THREE QUALIFIERS ...................................................................... 76
WCF TIE-BREAK CHART FOR FOUR QUALIFIERS ....................................................................... 77
USCA PLAYER/COACH CODE OF CONDUCT AGREEMENT ......................................................... 84
USCA BY-LAWS........................................................................................................................ 84
USCA TRANSGENDER POLICY .................................................................................................. 84
WCF WORLD TEAM RANKING SYSTEM .................................................................................... 85
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ............................................................................................................. 86

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SECTION I – RULES OF CURLING
R1. SHEET
(a) The length of the ice sheet from the inside edges of the back
boards is 150 feet. The width of the sheet from the inside edges of the
side lines is a maximum of 16 ft. 5 inches. This area is delineated by
lines drawn, or by dividers placed on the perimeter. If the size of an
existing facility will not permit these measurements, then the length
may be reduced to a minimum of 146 ft., and the width to a minimum
of 14 ft. 2 in.
(b) At each end of the sheet there are clearly visible parallel lines in
the ice from side line to side line as follows:
1.) The tee line, 1/2 in. maximum width, placed so that the
center of the line is 57 ft. from the middle of the rink.
2.) The back line, 1/2 in. maximum width, placed so that the
outside edge is 6 ft. from the center of the tee line.
3.) The hog line, 4 in. in width, placed so that the inside edge is
21 ft. from the center of the tee line.
4.) A center line, 1/2 in. maximum width, joins the midpoints of
the tee lines and extends 12 ft. beyond the center of each tee
line.
5.) A hack line, 1 ft. 6 in. in length and 1/2 in. maximum width, is
placed parallel to the tee line, at each end of the center line.
6.) A courtesy line, 6 in. in length and 1/2 in. maximum width, is
placed 4 ft. outside and parallel to the hog lines, on each side
of the rink.
(c) For wheelchair events, at each end of the sheet, 2 thin (i.e. - wool)
wheelchair lines are placed parallel to and on opposite sides of the
center line, extending from the hog line to the outermost edge of the
nearest circle, with the outside edge of each line being 18 in. from the
center line.
(d) A center hole (tee) is placed at the intersection of each tee line and
center line. With the tee as center, there are four concentric circles
placed at each end of the rink, with the outer edge of the outer circle
having a radius of 6 ft., the next circle a radius of 4 ft., the next circle a

4
radius of 2 ft., and the innermost circle having a minimum radius of 6
in.
(e) Two hacks are placed on the hack line, on opposite sides of the
center line, with the inside edge of each hack 3 in. from the midpoint
of the center line. The width of each hack is not to exceed 6 in. The
hack is attached to suitable material, and the inside edge of that
material is placed on the inside edge of the hack line so that the hack
does not extend more than 8 in. in front of the hack line. If the hack is
recessed into the ice, this is not to be more than 1.5 in. in depth.
(USCA Interpretation: There shall be no obstruction behind the hack
structure.

R2. STONES
(a) A curling stone is of circular shape, having a circumference no
greater than 36 in., a height no less than 4.5 in., and a weight,
including handle and bolt, no greater than 44 lbs. and no less than 38
lbs.
(b) Each team uses a set of eight stones having the same handle color
and individually identified by visible markings. If a stone is damaged
and becomes unsuitable for play, a replacement stone is used. If a
replacement stone is not available, a stone previously delivered in the
end is redelivered.

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Ice Sheet Dimensions Chart

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(c) If a stone is broken in play, the teams use the “Spirit of Curling” to
decide where the stone(s) should be placed. If agreement cannot be
reached, the end will be replayed.
(d) If a stone rolls over while in motion, or comes to rest on its side or
top, it is removed from play immediately.
(e) Should a handle completely separate from a stone during delivery,
the delivering player has the option of either allowing the play to
stand, or of redelivering the stone after any displaced stones have
been replaced to their positions prior to the incident taking place.
(f) A stone that does not come to rest completely beyond the inside
edge of the hog line at the playing end is removed from play
immediately, except when it strikes another stone, in which case it
remains in play.
(g) A stone that completely crosses the outside edge of the back line is
removed from play immediately.
(h) A stone that touches a divider or a side line is removed from play
immediately and is prevented from entering adjacent rinks.
(i) A stone may be measured only visually until the last stone of the
end has come to rest, except to determine if a stone is in play, or,
prior to playing the, third, fourth or fifth stone of an end, to determine
if a stone is in the Free Guard Zone.
(j) Teams are not to make alterations to, nor place any object on or
over, their game stones.

R3. TEAMS
(a) A team is composed of four players. Each player delivers two
stones, in consecutive order in each end, while alternating with an
opponent.
(b) A team declares its delivery rotation, and the skip and vice-skip
positions, prior to the start of a game and maintains that rotation and
those positions throughout that game subject to (d)
(i). A team that deliberately changes its delivery rotation, or
positions, during a game will forfeit the game, unless it was done
when bringing in an alternate player.
(c) If a player is missing at the start of a game, the team may either:

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 (i) start the game with three players, the first two players delivering
three stones each, and the third player delivering two stones, in
which case the missing player may enter the game in the declared
delivery rotation and position at the start of an end; or
(ii) start the game using a qualified alternate.
(d) Where a player is unable to continue to play in a game, the team
may either:
(i) continue play with the remaining three players, in which case the
player who left the game may re-enter only at the start of an end.
(ii) bring in a qualified alternate at the beginning of an end, in which
case the delivery rotation and the skip and vice-skip positions may
be changed (the revised rotation of play applying for the remainder
of that game), and the replaced player may not re-enter the game.
Definition of a player UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO PLAY IN A GAME: A
player that delivers fewer than two stones in an end is considered
to have left the game, except where rule R5 (i) applies.
(e) A team may not play with fewer than three players, all players
delivering all their allocated stones in each end.
(f) In competitions where alternates are allowed, only one alternate
can be registered and used in that competition. If there is a violation,
the offending team will forfeit the game.
(g) If a player delivers the first allocated stone of an end and is unable
to deliver the second allocated stone, the following is the procedure
for the remainder of that end. If the player is the:
(i) first player, the second player delivers the stone
(ii) second player, the first player delivers the stone
(iii) third player, the second player delivers the stone
(iv) fourth player, the third player delivers the stone
(h) If a player whose turn it is to deliver is unable to deliver both of the
allocated stones during an end, the following is the procedure for the
remainder of that end. If the player is the:
(i) first player, the second player delivers three stones, then the
third player delivers three stones, then the fourth player delivers
the last two stones

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 (ii) second player, the first player delivers three stones, then the
third player delivers three stones, then the fourth player delivers
the last two stones
(iii) third player, the first player delivers the first stone of the third
player, then the second player delivers the second stone of the
third player, then the fourth player delivers the last two stones
(iv) fourth player, the second player delivers the first stone of the
fourth player, then the third player delivers the second stone of the
fourth player.

R4. POSITION OF PLAYERS

(a) Non-Delivering Team:
(i) During the process of delivery the players take stationary
positions along the sidelines between the courtesy lines. However:
1) The skip and/or vice-skip may take stationary positions
behind the back line at the playing end, but must not interfere
with the choice of place of the skip or vice-skip of the
delivering team.
2) The player who is to deliver next may take a stationary
position to the side of the sheet, behind the hacks, at the
delivering end.
(ii) The non-delivering team players must not take any position, nor
cause any motion, which could obstruct, interfere with, distract or
intimidate the delivering team. If such an action occurs, or an
external force distracts a player during delivery, that player has the
option of allowing the play to stand, or of redelivering the stone
after all displaced stones have been replaced to their positions prior
to the violation taking place.
(b) Delivering Team:
(i) The skip, or the vice-skip when it is the skip's turn to deliver, or
when the skip is not on the ice, is in charge of the house.
(ii) The player in charge of the house is positioned inside the hog
line, with at least one foot/wheel on the ice surface of the playing
end of the team’s sheet, while the team is in the process of
delivery.

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 (iii) Any improper position of players will result in the delivered
stone being removed from play, and any displaced stones shall be
replaced, by the non-offending team, to their positions prior to the
violation taking place.

R5. DELIVERY
(a) Unless predetermined, or decided by the LSD (last stone draw), the
teams opposing each other in a game use a coin toss to determine
which team delivers the first stone in the first end, after which the
team that most recently scored delivers the first stone in the next end.
(b) Unless predetermined, the team playing the first stone of the first
end has the choice of stone handle color for that game.
(c) Right-handed deliveries are delivered from the hack on the left of
the center line and left-handed deliveries are delivered from the hack
on the right of the center line. A stone delivered from the wrong hack
is removed from play, and any displaced stones are replaced, by the
non-offending team, to their positions prior to the violation taking
place.
(d) A stone must be clearly released from the hand before it reaches
the hog line at the delivery end. If the player fails to do so, the stone is
immediately removed from play by the delivering team.
(e) If a hog line violation stone is not immediately removed and strikes
another stone, the delivered stone is removed from play by the
delivering team, and any displaced stones are replaced, by the non-
offending team, to their positions prior to the violation taking place.
(f) A stone is in play, and considered delivered, when it reaches the tee
line (hog line for wheelchair curling) at the delivery end. A stone that
has not reached the relevant line may be returned to the player and
redelivered.
(g) All players must be ready to deliver their stones when their turns
come, and not take an unreasonable amount of time to play.
(h) If a player delivers a stone belonging to the opposing team, that
stone is allowed to come to rest, and is then replaced by a stone
belonging to the delivering team.
(i) If a player delivers a stone out of proper rotation, the end continues
as if the mistake had not occurred. The player who missed a turn

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delivers the last stone for that team in that end. If it cannot be
determined which player delivered out of proper rotation, the player
who delivered the first stone in the end for that team delivers the last
stone for that team in that end.
(j) If a player inadvertently delivers too many stones in one end, the
end continues as if the mistake had not occurred and the number of
stones allocated to the last player of the offending team shall be
reduced accordingly. If the player delivering the last stones of an end
is the player that inadvertently delivers too many stones, the last
delivered stone will be removed from play and any displaced stones
are replaced, by the non-offending team, to their positions prior to the
violation taking place.
(k) If a team delivers two stones in succession in the same end:
(i) The second stone is removed and any displaced stones replaced,
by the non-offending team, to their positions prior to the violation
taking place. The player, who delivered the stone played by
mistake, redelivers it as the last stone for the team in that end.
(ii) If the infraction is not discovered until after the delivery of a
subsequent stone, the end is replayed.
(l) If the wrong team delivers the first stone of an end:
(i) if the error is discovered after only the first stone has been
delivered, the end shall be replayed.
(ii) if the error is discovered after the 2nd stone of the end has been
delivered, play continues as if the error had not occurred.

R6. FREE GUARD ZONE (FGZ)

(a) A stone that comes to rest between the tee line and the hog line at
the playing end, excluding the house, is deemed to be within an area
designated as the FGZ. Also, stones that are in play, on or before the
hog line, after striking stones in the FGZ, are deemed to be in the FGZ.
(b) If, prior to the delivery of the sixth stone of an end, a delivered
stone causes, either directly or indirectly, an opposition stone to be
moved from the FGZ to an out-of-play position, then the delivered
stone is removed from play, and any displaced stones are replaced, by
the non-offending team, to their positions prior to the violation taking
place.

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R7. SWEEPING
(a) The sweeping motion can be in any direction (it need not cover the
entire width of the stone), must deposit no debris in front of a moving
stone, and must finish to either side of the stone.
(b) A stationary stone must be set in motion before it can be swept. A
stone set in motion by a delivered stone, either directly or indirectly,
may be swept by any one or more of the team to which it belongs
anywhere in front of the tee line at the playing end.
(c) All players may clean the playing surface prior to the delivery of the
next stone.
(d) A delivered stone may be swept by any one or more of the
delivering team anywhere in front of the tee line at the playing end.
(e) No player may ever sweep an opponent's stone except behind the
tee line at the playing end, and may not start to sweep an opponent’s
stone until it has reached the tee line at the playing end.
(f) Behind the tee line at the playing end, only one player from each
team may sweep at any one time. This may be any player of the
delivering team, but only the skip or vice-skip of the non-delivering
team.
(g) Behind the tee line, a team has first privilege of sweeping its own
stone, but it must not obstruct or prevent its opponent from
sweeping.
(h) If a sweeping violation occurs, the non-offending team has the
option of allowing the play to stand, or of placing the stone, and all
stones it would have affected, where they would have come to rest
had the violation not occurred.

R8. TOUCHED MOVING STONES

(a) Between the tee line at the delivery end and the hog line at the
playing end:
(i) If a moving stone is touched, or is caused to be touched, by the
team to which it belongs, or by their equipment, the touched stone
is removed from play immediately by that team. A double-touch by
the person delivering the stone, prior to the hog line at the
delivering end, is not considered a violation.

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 (ii) If a moving stone is touched, or is caused to be touched, by an
opposition team, or by its equipment, or by an external force:
1) If the stone was the delivered stone, it is redelivered
2) If the stone was not the delivered stone, it is placed where the
team to which it belongs reasonably considers it would have
come to rest had it not been touched.
(b) Inside the hog line at the playing end:
(i) If a moving stone is touched, or is caused to be touched, by the
team to which it belongs, or by its equipment, all stones are
allowed to come to rest, after which the non-offending team has
the option to:
1.) remove the touched stone, and replace all stones that
were displaced after the infraction to their positions prior to
the violation taking place; or
2.) leave all stones where they came to rest; or
3.) place all stones where it reasonably considers the stones
would have come to rest had the moving stone not been
touched.
(ii) If a moving stone is touched, or is caused to be touched, by an
opposition team, or by its equipment, all stones are allowed to
come to rest, after which the non-offending team places the stones
where it reasonably considers the stones would have come to rest,
had the moving stone not been touched.
(iii) If a moving stone is touched, or is caused to be touched, by an
external force, all stones are allowed to come to rest, and then
placed where they would have come to rest if the incident had not
occurred. If the teams cannot agree, the stone is redelivered after
all displaced stones have been replaced to their positions prior to
the violation taking place. If agreement on those positions cannot
be reached, the end is replayed.
(c) Last Stone Draw (LSD) Stones:
(i) If a member of the delivering team touches a moving stone, or
causes it to be touched, the stone will be removed and recorded
as199.6cm (6 ft. 6.6 in.).
(ii) If a member of the non-delivering team touches a moving stone,
or causes it to be touched, the stone will be redelivered.

13
 (iii) If an external force touches a moving stone, or causes it to
touched, the stone will be redelivered.
(d) If a moving stone is touched by a stone deflecting off the sheet
dividers, the non-delivering team shall place the stone where it
reasonably considers the stone would have come to rest had the
moving stone not been touched.

R9. DISPLACED STATIONARY STONES

(a) If a stationary stone, which would have had no effect on the
outcome of a moving stone, is displaced, or caused to be displaced by
a player, it is replaced, by the non-offending team, to its position prior
to the violation taking place.
(b) If a stationary stone, which would have had no effect on the
outcome of a moving stone, is displaced, or caused to be displaced, by
an external force, it is replaced, with agreement of the teams, to its
position prior to the violation taking place.
(c) If a stone which would have altered the course of a moving stone is
displaced by a player, all stones are allowed to come to rest and then
the non-offending team has the option to:
(i) leave all stones where they came to rest; or
(ii) remove from play the stone whose course would have been
altered, and replace any stones that were displaced after the
violation to their positions prior to the violation taking place; or
(iii) place all stones in the positions the team reasonably considers
they would have come to rest had a stone not been displaced.
(d) If a stone which would have altered the course of a moving stone is
displaced by an external force, all stones are allowed to come to rest,
and are then placed in the positions in which they would have come to
rest had a stone not been displaced. If the teams cannot agree, the
stone is redelivered after all displaced stones have been replaced to
their positions prior to the violation taking place. If agreement on
those positions cannot be reached, the end is replayed.
(e) If a displacement is caused by stones deflecting off the sheet
dividers, the stones are replaced, by the non-delivering team, to their
positions prior to the violation taking place.
(f) Last Stone Draw (LSD) Stones:

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 (i) If a member of the delivering team displaces a stationary stone,
or causes it to be displaced, before the Official completes the
measurement, the stone will be removed and recorded as 199.6cm
(6ft. 6.6 in.).
(ii) If a member of the non-delivering team displaces a stationary
stone, or causes it to be displaced, before the official completes the
measurement, the stone is replaced, by the delivering team, to its
position prior to the violation taking place.
(iii) If an external force displaces a stationary stone, or causes it to
be displaced, before the official completes the measurement, the
stone is replaced, by the delivering team, to its position prior to the
violation taking place.

R10. EQUIPMENT
(a) No player shall cause damage to the ice surface by means of
equipment, hand prints or body prints. The procedure will be:
1st incident = 1st official on-ice warning, repair damage
2nd incident = 2nd official on-ice warning, repair damage
3rd incident = repair damage and remove player from the
game
(b) No equipment shall be left unattended anywhere on the ice
surface.
(c)Teams must not use electronic communication equipment, or any
device to modify the voice, during a game. With the exception of
stopwatches that are limited to providing ‘time’ data only, the use of
electronic devices during the games, which provide information to
players on the field of play, are forbidden.
(d) When a properly functioning electronic hog line device is being
used:
(i) The handle must be properly activated so that it is functioning
during delivery, or it will be considered a hog line violation stone.
(ii) A glove or mitt must not be worn on the delivery hand during
the delivery of a stone. If there is a violation, the delivered stone
shall be removed from play, and any displaced stones shall be
replaced, by the non-offending team, to their positions prior to the
violation taking place.

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When sensor handles are in use, players should be familiar with their
operation. Each sensor handle is equipped with two green LED lights
and two red LED lights. The red LED’s flash when the rock is tilted with
a bare hand touching the coated handle grip. When the rock is
returned to the playing position and the grip is released, the green
LED’s flash quickly for 10 seconds and then slowly for 2 minutes. If the
grip is not touched, the electronics will turn off after the slow flashing
stops. If the grip is touched, the LED’s turn off to prevent distracting
the curler during delivery. When the grip is released before the hog
line, the green LED’s flash until the center of the rock crosses the
center of the hog-line magnet; then, the green LED’s turn on steady
for 5 seconds to indicate a valid delivery. If the grip is not released
before the center of the rock crosses the center of the hog-line
magnet, a violation is indicated for 25 seconds by flashing red LED’s.
The touch sensor remains on for a short interval after the hog line is
crossed. If the grip is touched in this interval, indication will switch
from valid (solid green) to violation (flashing red). A low battery is
indicated by alternating red and green LED’s. There are two LED’s of
each color in case of bulb failure, thus, a single LED (red or green) has
the same meaning as two LED’s.
The coated handle grip and the LED’s can be damaged by brushes and
shoes. Do not push on the handle with brushes or shoes.
Do not invert the rock on the ice with the grip contacting the ice. The
grip coating can be damaged.

If a handle becomes loose, do not attempt to tighten it by rotating the

handle. This can damage the battery carrier. Have an Official notify the
Ice Crew to properly torque the mounting screw.
(e) The use of a delivery stick shall be restricted as follows:
(i) May not be used in any USCA National Championship or any
qualifying event, except wheelchair events.
(ii) Players choosing to deliver with a delivery stick must use that
device for the delivery of all their stones during the entire game.
(iii) For non-wheelchair curling: The stone must be delivered along a
straight line from the hack to the intended target.

16
 (iv) For non-wheelchair curling: The stone must be clearly released
from the delivery stick before the stone has reached the hogline at
the delivering end. A stone is in play, and considered delivered,
when it reaches the teeline at the delivery end. (NOTE: The WCF
rule requires release before either foot has reached the tee line.
The USCA has delayed implementation of the WCF rule.)
(v) For non-wheelchair curling: A delivery stick shall not convey any
mechanical advantage other than acting as an extension of the
arm/hand.
(vi) If a stick delivery violation occurs, the delivered stone shall be
removed from play, and any displaced stones shall be replaced, by
the non-offending team, to their positions prior to the violation
taking place.
(vii) All delivery sticks must conform to the Wheelchair Curling
Policy.

R11. SCORING
(a) The result of a game is decided by a majority of points at the
completion of the scheduled ends of play, or when a team concedes
victory to its opponent, or when one team is arithmetically eliminated,
provided the minimum number of ends have been completed. A team
that has been arithmetically eliminated may finish the current end but
no new end may be started. However, if a team is arithmetically
eliminated in the last end of a game, the game should stop when this
occurs and the end will not be finished. If the score is tied at the
completion of the scheduled ends, play continues with extra end(s)
and the team that scores first wins the game.
(b) At the completion of an end (when all stones have been played), a
team scores one point for each of its own stones located in or
touching the house that are closer to the tee than any stone of the
opposition.
(c) The score of an end is decided when the skips or vice-skips in
charge of the house agree upon the score. If stones that may have
affected the points scored in an end are displaced prior to that
decision, the non-offending team receives the benefit that might have
accrued from a measurement.

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(d) When determining the score of an end, if teams cannot visually
decide which stones are closer to the tee, or whether a stone is
touching the house, a measuring device is used. Measurements are
taken from the tee to the nearest part of the stone. Any one player on
the ice from each team is allowed to observe any measurement that is
made by a measuring device.
(e) If two or more stones are so close to the tee that it is impossible to
use a measuring device, the determination is made visually.
(f) If a decision cannot be reached, either visually or with a measuring
device, the stones are considered equal, and:
(i) If the measure was to determine which team scored in the end,
the end is blanked.
(ii) If the measure was to determine additional points, only the
stones closer to the tee are counted.
(g) If an external force should cause the displacement of stones that
would have affected the score prior to agreement of the score, the
following applies:
(i) If the displaced stones would have determined which team
scored in an end, the end is replayed.
(ii) If a team secured a point(s), and the displaced stone(s) would
have determined if an additional point(s) was scored, that team has
the option of replaying the end or of keeping the point(s) already
secured.
(h) A team concedes a game only when it is the delivering team. When
a team concedes the game before the completion of an end, the score
of the end is determined at that time, in the following manner:
(i) If both teams still have stones to be delivered, “X”s are placed on
the scoreboard.
(ii) When only one team has delivered all of its stones:
(1) If the team that delivered all its stones has the stone(s)
counting, no points are given, “X’s” are placed on the
scoreboard unless the points are required to determine the
outcome.
(2) If the team, that did not deliver all its stones has stone(s)
counting, these points are given and placed on the
scoreboard.
(3) If no stones are counting, “X”s are placed on the scoreboard.

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(i) If a team is not available to start a game at the designated time, the
following takes place:
(i) If the delay of the start of play is 1-15 minutes (1-10 minutes for
Mixed Doubles), then the non-offending team receives one point,
and will have choice of first or second stone in the first end of
actual play; one end is considered completed.
(ii) If the delay of the start of play is 15-30 minutes (10-20 minutes
for Mixed Doubles), then the non-offending team receives one
additional point, and choice of first or second stone in the first end
of actual play; two ends are considered completed.
(iii) If play has not started after 30 minutes (20 minutes for Mixed
Doubles), then the non-offending team is declared the winner by
forfeit.
(j) The final score of a forfeited game is recorded as “W – L” (win –
loss).

R12. INTERRUPTED GAMES

If for any reason, a game is interrupted, the game resumes where play
was stopped.

R13.WHEELCHAIR CURLING
(a) Stones are delivered from a stationary wheelchair.
(b) When the stone is delivered between the hack and the outermost
edge of the top of the house at the delivery end, at the start of the
delivery the stone is positioned on the center line. When the stone is
delivered between the outermost edge of the top of the house and
the hog line at the delivery end, the entire width of the stone must be
within the wheelchair lines at the start of the delivery.
(c) During delivery, the feet of the player delivering the stone must not
touch the ice surface and the wheels of the chair must be in direct
contact with the ice.
(d) The delivery of the stone is undertaken by the conventional
arm/hand release or using a delivery stick conforming to the
Wheelchair Curling Policy. Stones must be clearly released from the
hand or stick before the stone reaches the hog line at the delivery end.

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(e) A stone is in play when it reaches the hog line at the delivery end. A
stone that has not reached the hog line at the delivery end may be
returned to the player and redelivered.
(f) Sweeping is not permitted.
(g) If a delivery violation occurs, the delivered stone shall be removed
from play, and any displaced stones shall be replaced, by the non-
offending team, to their positions prior to the violation taking place.
(h) For USCA wheelchair competitions, each on-ice team must have
four players delivering stones and must be comprised of both genders
at all times during games. A team violating this rule will forfeit the
game.
If a player leaves during an end because of illness, accident or other
extenuating circumstances (excluding ejection by an umpire):
(i) the player may return to the game, provided they deliver all their
allocated stones.
(ii) if the departing player’s stone(s) need to be delivered in that
end, an alternate must be immediately brought into the game in
the position of the departing player to deliver those stone(s), and
the team still needs to be composed of both genders. Failure to do
so results in forfeiture of the game. At the start of the next end the
team may change the team line-up if desired (the revised rotation
of play will apply for the remainder of that game), and the replaced
player may not re-enter the game.
(iii) If both stones have been delivered by the departing player, at
the start of the next end the team must bring in an alternate and
may change the team line-up if desired (the revised rotation of play
will apply for the remainder of that game), and the replaced player
may not re-enter the game.
(i) All games will be scheduled for eight ends.

R14. MIXED CURLING

(a) Each team shall have two male and two female players and the
male and female players must deliver stones alternately (M, F, M, F -
or - F, M, F, M). No alternate players are permitted.
(b) If a team plays with three players, the alternate gender order of
delivery must be maintained (M, F, M – or – F, M, F). If this occurs

20
while a game is in progress, the delivery rotation can be changed to
meet this criterion.
(c) The skip and vice-skip can be anyone in the team, but they must be
from opposite genders.
(d) All Mixed games are scheduled for 8 ends.
(e) The team is allowed one coach and one other team official. Only
those two persons may sit on the designated coach bench.

R15. MIXED DOUBLES CURLING

(a) A team is composed of two players, one male and one female.
Alternate players are not allowed. A team must forfeit any game(s) in
which it fails to have both players playing for the entire game. One
coach and one other team official will be allowed for each team.
(b) The scoring shall be the same as in a regular game of curling. The
“positioned” stones that are placed prior to the beginning of each end
are eligible to be counted in the scoring.
(c) Each game will be scheduled for eight ends.
(d) Each team shall deliver five stones per end. The player delivering
the team’s first stone of the end must also deliver the team’s last
stone of that end. The other team member shall deliver the team’s
second, third and fourth stones for that end. The player delivering the
first stone can change from end to end.
(e) No stone in play, including the “positioned” stones and those in the
house, can be moved to an out-of-play position prior to the delivery of
the fourth stone of an end (the fourth delivered stone is the first stone
that can remove any stone from play). If there is a violation, the
delivered stone shall be removed from play, and any displaced
stone(s) shall be replaced, by the non-offending team, to their
positions prior to the violation taking place.
(f) Prior to the start of every end, one team shall place its “positioned”
stone at the playing end of the sheet in one of two positions,
designated A and B. The opponent’s “positioned” stone shall then be
placed in whichever position (A or B) remains vacant. The location of
these positions shall be as follows:
(i) Position A: Placement so that the stone is bisected by the center
line and is either immediately in front of or immediately behind one

21
of three points in the ice. The points are placed on the center line
(see diagram):
1) At the mid-point between the hog line and the outermost
edge of the top of the house.
2) Three feet from the mid-point closer to the house.
3) Three feet from the mid-point closer to the hog line.
Based on the ice conditions, when no event official is available
tomake the decision, the teams shall determine the specific
placement for each sheet for Position A to be used prior to the
start of the pre-game practice and that same placement must be
used for the entire game.
(ii) Position B: Placement so that the stone is bisected by the center
line and is in the back of the 4-foot circle. The back edge of the
stone is aligned with the back edge of the 4-foot circle (see
diagram)
(iii) Power Play: Once per game, each team, when it has the
decision on the placement of the “positioned” stones, can use the
“Power Play” option to position those two stones. The in-house
stone (B), which belongs to the team with the last stone in that end,
is placed on either side of the house with the back edge of the
stone touching the tee line, at the point where the 8-foot and 12-
foot circles meet. The guard stone (A) is positioned to the same
side of the sheet, the same distance that was determined for the
center guards (see diagram). The “Power Play” option cannot be
used in extra ends.

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23
24
(g) The team having the decision on the placement of the “positioned”
stones shall be:
(i) Teams opposing each other in the game shall use the LSD to
determine which team has the decision in the first end. The team
with the lesser LSD distance shall have the decision on the
placement.
(ii) Following the first end, the team that did not score shall have
the decision on the placement.
(iii) If neither team scores in an end, the team that delivered the
first stone in that end shall have the decision on placement in the
next end. In the case of a blanked end due to an equal measure,
the team that had the decision on the placement of the
“positioned” stones shall not change for the next end.
(h) The team whose “positioned” stone is placed in Position A (in front
of the house) shall deliver the first stone in that end, and the team
whose “positioned” stone is placed in Position B (in the house) shall
deliver the second stone in that end.
(i) While the team is in the process of delivery, the non-delivering
player may be anywhere on the ice surface of the team’s sheet. After
delivery, either or both players may sweep their delivered stone and
any stones set in motion that belong to their team anywhere in front
of the tee line at the playing end. This applies during all of the team’s
delivered stones, including the LSD.
(j) If a delivery violation occurs, the delivered stone shall be removed
from play, and any displaced stones shall be replaced, by the non-
offending team, to their positions prior to the violation taking place.
Should the infraction not be discovered until after the delivery of a
subsequent stone, play continues as if the infraction had not occurred,
however, the player that delivered the first stone of the end can
deliver a maximum of two stones in that end.

R16. Prohibited Substances

The use of all performance-enhancing drugs, without therapeutic
exemption, whether taken knowingly or otherwise, is unethical and
prohibited. If such use occurs, the player(s) will be disqualified from
the competition.

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R17. Inappropriate Behavior
Improper conduct, foul or offensive language, equipment abuse, or
willful damage on the part of any team member is prohibited. Any
violation may result in suspension of the offending person(s).

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SECTION II - USCA Championship Policies
GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES

1. Overview: The policies stated in this section apply to all USCA

Championships unless otherwise noted. Specific USCA championship
policies override policies in this section. For any national event that
leads to a world event, the WCF Rules of Curling and Rules of
Competition also apply. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the WCF
rules by going to: http://www.worldcurling.org/rules-and-regulations.
For the Men’s and Women’s National Championships, the Junior
National Championships and the World Team Trials for Mixed Doubles
all players who advance to the world event will be required to sign the
United States Curling Association National Team Athlete Agreement.

2. General Eligibility: Playdown eligibility criteria vary by event. Refer

to specific event eligibility. Every team member, including fifth players
(alternates) AND coaches must have completed online registration and
have their names listed on a respective participant report from the
national office, before being allowed to step onto the ice during a
championship event. Team members can be added electronically at
the venue if an internet connection is available (see the chief umpire).
Alternatively, if necessary, a team member can call the national office
during regular business hours (excluding holidays) for registration
assistance, providing assistance is available. The Chief Umpire or
Deputy Chief Umpire, or his or her designated substitute, must be
provided with acceptable proof of registration and will screen the
athlete or coach for the appropriate participation requirements. If
applicable, acceptable proof of citizenship must also be provided (see
#3. Entry Process, Deadlines, and Fees for information). Proof of
citizenship is not required if registrant is already listed on the proof of
citizenship list on the USA Curling website.
Coaches must be at least 21 years of age, register through the Coaches
Association, and complete at least the minimum requirements.
Non-registered players or those who knowingly provide false
information are subject to disqualification. If registration information
is intentionally falsified and an individual is found to be ineligible

27
because of it, the player will not be allowed to compete, entry fees
will not be refunded, and the entire team’s entry could be determined
ineligible to compete due to a lack of personnel.
(a) Membership - Except as stated below for Men’s and Women’s
National Championship and Mixed Doubles Championship, anyone
who registers for a USCA Championship event must be a dues-paying
individual member of a curling club, which for the current year (as of
1/31/2019) is a member of a state or regional association which is a
member of the USCA. Any player who is a member of a USCA club will
be automatically considered a member of the USCA. Athletes should
check with their club to ensure that their names appear on the club
dues/ membership roster similar to the way they appear in the Blue
Sombrero (BS) online registration system. Updates can be made by the
athletes to their personal BS accounts if necessary.
(b) Dues - A player who registered for a championship in the previous
year, but whose name did not appear on the roster of any eligible club
as a dues paying member, will be notified of the discrepancy by
certified mail, and will be given 30 days in which to correct the
discrepancy. If the discrepancy is not corrected in a timely manner, the
player will not be permitted to register for any championship in the
current year. The discrepancy will be considered corrected if a club
reports the player as a member for the previous year and pays the
applicable dues for the player, or if the player identifies the club of
which he or she is a member and pays the applicable dues directly to
the USCA.
(c) Administrative Fee - For Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles
National Championships which determine eligibility for Olympic trials,
along with the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) trials, if a player is not a
member of a USCA club, the player may become a member of the
USCA and be eligible to enter the playdown process by paying an
administrative fee of $100 to the USCA at or before the time of
registration.
(d) Citizenship or Residency Eligibility - For all events leading to a
World competition or representation of the US Curling Association for
competition outside of the United States: Junior Nationals, Mixed
Doubles World Team Trials, Mixed Nationals, Men’s & Women’s

28
Nationals, Senior Nationals, World University Games, and Youth
Olympics, proof of citizenship is required. The Arena, Club and U18
Nationals do not lead to a World Championship and therefore,
residency is also permissible for these events. The residency definition
follows.
(e) Residency Definition - Residency is established by lawful and
continuous presence within the United States for a period of 24
months immediately prior to April 1st of the year in which the
competition is to take place, except for brief and infrequent trips
outside of the United States and except, as to full time foreign
students, for school vacation periods. U.S. citizens are eligible for all
events without regard to residency.
(f) Level of Competition - No player may compete on more than one
team at the same level of play leading to any national championship.

3. Entry Process, Deadlines, and Fees: Parents or Legal Guardians of

Minors are responsible for registering their children. Teams must enter
the playdown process through the USCA website at www.usacurl.org
(Championships page, left-side menu “Register for Playdowns” link).
All registrations and payments are to be made online. It is the
athlete’s responsibility to see that all requirements are completed by
the entry deadline date. Incomplete entries will not be accepted.
Teams are encouraged to enter at least two weeks prior to the
deadline date to avoid disqualification due to incomplete entries. It is
important to keep contact information current within the on-line
registration system.
The USCA office must receive the following through online registration
by 11:45 p.m. Central time on the event deadline date:
(a) Signed entry forms: for four or five players, or for two players if
Mixed Doubles, or for individual if a wheelchair player. (Club
membership confirmation by a club officer is no longer required but
membership will be checked by the USCA office.) If a team has a
coach, the coach must also register online and be a registered
member of the USCA Coaches Association (see 9. Personnel, Coaches,
for more information).
(b) Full payment of entry fees: plus any applicable regional fees

29
(c) Proof of Citizenship: which can be a legible photocopy of U.S.
Passport photo/personal page or a notarized statement from a
witness seeing your U.S. Naturalization Certificate or your U.S. Birth
Certificate/Certificate of Birth. Registrants from states employing the
Enhanced Driver’s License may only use that document for proof.
Proof of citizenship is not necessary if athlete’s name is already on the
proof of citizenship list on the USCA website (see “Events> National
Events> Proof of Citizenship List”), for all events leading to world
competition. Proof can be uploaded during registration or emailed to
[email protected]. Faxed copies are discouraged due to faxes can
arriving dark, illegible, and therefore indistinguishable. Refer to the
FAQ section on the USA Curling website at www.usacurl.org regarding
“pending” citizenship status and call the National Office or email
questions to [email protected].

The entry registration dates are as stated in the posted USCA

Championship Schedule. There is a 48-hour Late Registration period
following the close of registration with an additional fee of
$75/registrant (excluding U18 National Championships, Arena
National Championships and Junior National Championships). Late
registrations will be accepted by calling the national office, 888-287-
5377, within 2 business days after the close of registration. There will
be no ability for any players (except for fifth players) to enter after this
Late Registration Window. If the stated requirements have not been
received by the USCA Office by the close of Registration, the team will
not be entered. TO AVOID PROBLEMS, TEAMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO
REGISTER AND PROVIDE THE INFORMATION TO THE USCA TWO
WEEKS BEFORE THE ENTRY DEADLINE DATE.

4. Alcohol Consumption Policy: Players who are under the age of 21

are subject to the same rule as for Junior Championships, which is as
follows: Consumption of alcohol by players under 21 is prohibited
from the time of departure from the city of home/school residence,
through the competition, and until the return to the city of
home/school residence, including, without limitation, any banquet or
post championship/event celebration.

30
Older players on a team with younger players who cannot drink
alcohol may not encourage drinking by the underage members of their
team. Sanctions for violation of this policy are as set forth within the
Code of Conduct. The USCA online registration Code of Conduct can be
found on the USA Curling website at www.usacurl.org within the
Championships information.

5. USCA Format Policy: In certain cases where the number of teams is

unknown or the format is not specifically stated, the following
playdown format matrix will be used:
 Two teams – Best three out of five games
 Three or four teams – Double Round Robin
 Five to nine teams – Single round robin with Double Knock
Out provision
 Ten to 24 teams – Divisional round robin, except for
Challenge Rounds
 25 and higher – knockout
*The format for the Men’s and Women’s Challenge Rounds may
deviate from this policy if the non-staff Chairman of
Competitions, the High Performance Director, and a
representative of the AAC agree that an alternative format is
more appropriate.
*The format for the Senior Men’s and Women’s National
Championships may deviate from this policy as determined by
the USCA Drawmaster/Co-Chair of Competitions committee with
the direction of the Competitions Committee.
If the number of teams participating in a competition changes after
the Entry Deadline and before the Start of Competition, a committee
consisting of the non-staff Chairman of Competitions, USCA
drawmaster, and a representative of the AAC will determine a course
of action with respect to the draw and any other relevant aspects of
the competition. The method of seeding the draw is listed in each
championship section.

31
6. Personnel:
(a) Registered Players - Upon entering the playdowns of any four-
person team event, a team may register four or five players. A team
may start, play, and/or end a competition with three of their
registered four or five players. There is no option for a player to resign
from a team, or to be replaced.
(b) Fifth Players - Teams are encouraged to register only four players
prior to the entry deadline. Teams may then add a fifth player at any
point in the playdown process through the Championship event.
When adding a fifth player, that player:
(i) Must meet all general eligibility requirements
(ii) Must have completed on-line registration and the “USCA
Registration Code of Conduct Agreement” and “Release of Liability”
forms prior to competing (included in the online registration
process)
(iii) Must prove U.S. citizenship when applicable; and
(iv) In any competition where a team represents a State or Region,
the added fifth player must be a resident of that same state or
region, unless the region represented would not be different had
the added fifth player registered prior to the registration deadline.
For Club Nationals, the fifth player must meet the same eligibility
requirements as the other four players.
Any player from a team that has been eliminated from competition
is eligible to become another team’s registered fifth player only at a
subsequent level of play.
Caution: Players are registered on a team as of the entry deadline.
Teams registering five players have NO option to add an additional
player for any reason except at the World Championships and U.S.
Olympic Team Trials as noted below. The Request for Ruling
Committee may grant exceptions to this rule for extreme hardship.
(c) Mixed Curling - (1) A team registering for the Mixed Nationals must
have at least two players who reside in the region where the team will
play down.
(d) Four-Person-Team Events - No team can play more than five
players through and including the national championship. Teams that

32
advance to world events may request to substitute only one player for
legitimate hardship only. Requests must be submitted in writing to the
USCA Director of High Performance, within seven days after the
completion of the National Championship.
(e) Coaches & Team Official –Must be at least 21 years of age. A coach
must register with the USCA 15 business days (see U21 & under details
below) in advance of the start of competition and complete the
following requirements:
(i) Provide his or her personal information and agree to the code of
ethics (included in the online registration process).
(ii) Complete a successful background screen by the National Center
for Safety Initiatives at least 10 days prior to a respective event
start date (information provided after registration).
(iii) Read the SafeSport handbook (information provided after
registration).
(iv) Complete the SafeSport training modules (information provided
after registration). Coaches Must also register with the team
athletes under the respective event in the Blue Sombrero online
registration system as a “volunteer” to appear on the team roster.
Coach event registration serves as a source of communication to
others on the team, and allows team members also, the ability to
monitor when team member registrations are completed (team
member names appear on the team roster as their registration
requirements are manually reviewed and appear to be complete).
Teams may have only one designated coach and one other team
official per game. Any change in the designated coach and/or team
official must be noted on the line-up card provided to the Chief
Umpire prior to the beginning of the game. Coaches and team
officials should register 30 days in advance of an event, as
background checks are required (up to ten days to complete;
international background checks typically require at least 30 days
for completion).
Coaches are required for ALL U21 and under events (Junior & U18
National Championship teams). NEW for 2020 Season, legal
Guardian Consent forms are required for all minor athletes giving
consent to a supervising adult or coach when a legal parent or

33
 guardian is not present or accompanying a minor athlete. Consent
forms are to be carried by all designated coaches and supervising
adults.
(v) Coaches for all U21 and under events are required to register 3
business days prior to the close of event registration and complete
the listed requirements.
(f) Regional Playdowns and RFRs (Request for Ruling Forms) - For any
championship in which teams represent a region (and/or state), a
team composed of players from more than one region (and/or state) is
subject to the following team residency rule: When a majority of a
team’s players reside in a given Region (and/or State), the team must
play down in that Region (and/or State). This is always the case when
three or more team members reside in the same Region (and/or
State), but also applies if two team members are from the same
Region (and/or State) and the other two (or three) are each from
separate Regions (and/or States).
Where an athlete “resides” is the region they will be considered as
registering to represent. Registration addresses are reviewed.
Individuals not already registered to compete, having any confusion or
ambiguity regarding region of residence, should call the national office
and ask for the event services manager, or email [email protected]
for clarification. Please be sure to follow up if you do not get a
response within a day or two (during regular work hours) as
registration season is an extremely busy time.
(g) Request for Ruling required - Teams must apply to the USCA
Request for Ruling Committee to determine the Playdown Region
(and/or State) when:
(i) A team is comprised of four players, two players each from two
Regions (and/or States);
(ii) A team is comprised of five players, two players each from two
Regions (and/or States) and another player from a third Region
(and/or State); or
(iii) A team is comprised of four (or five) players, each from four (or
five) separate Regions (and/or States).
(iv) A player will generally be considered to reside where he or she
lives.

34
Any questions regarding the interpretation of these rules should be
clarified through a Request for Ruling. A “Request for Ruling” form can
be found on the USCA website or may alternatively be requested from
the USCA office.

7. Uniforms: At all national championships each team member shall

wear identical uniforms for all games, including pants and hats if worn
(peak forward.) Each garment (jacket, sweater, shirt and vest) shall
have the player’s surname in 2-inch letters across the upper back of
playing garments. At national championships, all coaches and team
officials are required to wear a matching team jacket or National Team
jacket to be allowed to sit at the coach’s bench. When two players
have the same surname, the first letter of their given name shall be
added to the player’s name on the garment. If the first letter is also
the same either another initial should be added, or the full or
abbreviated given names shown. A player or coach with an improper
uniform shall be denied access to the field of play and the coach’s
bench. These requirements do not apply to playdowns leading to
national championships (regional playdowns, challenge rounds &
Mixed Double Qualifying event). However, at all levels of play, team
members, including coaches and team officials are encouraged to
wear like uniforms, including shirts, jackets and pants.

8. Equipment
(a) Each player must declare an approved sweeping device at the start
of a game, and only that player can use that device for sweeping
during the game. Penalty: If a player sweeps with another person’s
sweeping device one of their own stones, the stone shall be removed
from play. If a player sweeps with another person’s sweeping device a
stone belonging to the opponent, the stone should be replaced by the
non-offending team where it would have come to rest, had the
violation not occurred.
(b) Players may not change their brush heads during a game, unless
the Chief Umpire grants special permission. Penalty: If a change is
made without permission, the team will forfeit the game.

35
(c) If an alternate player comes into a game, that player must use the
brush head of the player they are replacing. Penalty: If a new brush
head is brought into the game, the team will forfeit the game.
(d) All field of play equipment used at USCA competitions must meet
WCF Equipment Standards, as defined and published on the WCF web
site. Reasons for equipment being considered non-approved include,
but not restricted to: damage to the ice surface, non-conformance
with existing rules or standards (i.e. – electronic communication
devices), performance testing results that give an unfair advantage,
failing to register equipment with the WCF office by the deadline date.
Please note: Fitbit and Smart watch type electronic devices are not
considered stop watches and, as such, the use of these electronic
devices during the game is forbidden.
(e) The penalty for using equipment in USCA competitions that does
not conform to standards for Competition Equipment established by
the WCF:
(i) First team offense during a competition – the player is
disqualified from the competition and the team forfeits the game.
(ii) Second team offense during a competition – the team is
disqualified from the competition and all players are not permitted
to play in USCA competitions for a 12-month period.

9. Advertising/Cresting: Advertising (cresting) shall be permitted on a

player’s on-ice uniform and equipment as follows: Shall consist of
embroidery, patches, screen printing, sublimation, or other design
integration or adhesion (particularly in the case of equipment) in the
exact same positions for each team member. The advertising/cresting
must be neatly attached or incorporated into the uniform or on the
equipment, and be professional in appearance.
Advertising/crests on team uniforms are generally allowed. To
streamline the review process and avoid on-site delays at events,
teams must provide (via digital copy) the USCA Office with pre-event
notification of all advertising/cresting for USCA review to ensure
advertising/cresting is non-offensive no later than two weeks prior to
the start of the related event.

36
If the pre-event notification and review process is not followed, or
any advertising/crests are added to uniforms after this review,
players are advised that the Chief Umpire of the event may direct any
team or player to remove any advertising deemed objectionable by
her/him or other USCA representatives before being allowed on the
ice. Any appeal of the Chief Umpire’s ruling to ban a crest is subject to
immediate review by the USCA Board of Review.

Advertising/sponsor crests may be placed on team uniforms in any

locations other than those listed below:
(i) The upper left arm of the outer playing garment – this is reserved
for the USCA National Championship patch
(ii)The upper right chest of the outer playing garment – this is
reserved for a potential USCA National Championship sponsorship
patch (see provision below)
(iii) On the seat or crotch area of a players pants, tights or skirt

Advertising/sponsor crests may not be placed, worn or otherwise

applied to a player’s skin or hair. Players may wear hats, scarves or
other headgear while competing. If more than one player on a team is
wearing such an item, the items must be matching (exactly the same).

The USCA reserves the right to request that teams will wear certain
USCA sponsor crests while competing at USCA National
Championships if the related benefits are clearly communicated,
extended to the championship competitors and do not present
sponsor conflicts with teams. If the USCA does not notify teams of a
National Championships cresting sponsor 30 days prior to the event,
teams may leverage the upper right chest location for their own
cresting.
Separate advertising/sponsor cresting rules apply for all World
Championship events and other international events in which the
USCA may enter a team or teams.
All USCA Advertising/Sponsor cresting rules are subject to review and
change at any time, with ample notice to be given to competitors in
USCA championship events.

37
10. Media: By entering the National Championships at any level of
play, athletes and their coaches waive their rights to broadcast or print
media royalties and permit editorial use of their image and description
by the media. Athletes and coaches are advised that the USCA
National Championships are a commercial property owned exclusively
by the USCA.

11. Drug Testing: By entering any competition, all players

acknowledge that they are subject to testing for substances banned by
the USCA, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and the World Anti-
Doping Agency (WADA) substance abuse program, in accordance with
the USOC/USADA testing standards and procedures, and that by failing
such a test, or by refusing to be tested, the player will be subject to
disqualification. (The WCF Anti-Doping rules and procedures, which
meet the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency, are
applicable, and published in the WCF Anti-Doping Pamphlet.) It is the
responsibility of each athlete to be aware of banned substances and
whether he/she must file a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), and to
follow through with all requirements in this regard. For information
regarding banned substances go to the USADA website
(www.usantidoping.org) or call the USOC/USADA Drug Hotline: 1-800-
233-0393. You can obtain information from WADA at their website
(www.wada-ama.org).

12. Smoking: No smoking is allowed at any USCA event venue except

in designated areas. Smoking, including e-smoking devices, and
tobacco of any kind are never allowed within the confines of the
competition area.
13. Supervision: Any player under 18 years of age participating in any
USCA championship event must be supervised by an appropriate adult
over the age of 21 who has received legal Guardian Consent. NEW for
2020 Season, legal Guardian Consent forms are required for all minor
athletes giving consent to a supervising adult or coach when a legal
parent or guardian is not present or accompanying a minor athlete.
Consent forms are to be carried by all designated coaches and

38
supervising adults. At the team meeting, the Chief Umpire will verify
that the supervising adult is in attendance have copies consent forms
for each athlete under 18. A substitute responsible adult may be
present due to illness, emergency, etc., providing they are over 21
years of age and are willing to sign and accept responsibility for the
under-18 competitor and have completed the Coaches Association
requirements (see previously listed “Coaches” section for
requirements).

14. Refund/Withdrawal Policy: Teams that withdraw from events that

they registered to compete in will not receive a refund. Certain teams
may qualify for an exception under the following conditions:
(i) Event was cancelled due to a lack of entered teams (and team
elects not to travel to a proximate region to compete)
(ii) Online registration system errors or registration overpayments
(iii) Registered and unknowingly ineligible because a team
member's club is not a member of USA Curling
(iv) Certain hardship exceptions (to be evaluated on a case by case
basis). Refund exceptions will be made for athletes who signed up
for more than one USCA championships qualifier, and advance to
USCA championship events with scheduling that prevents their
attendance at the other USCA championship event. The inability to
get another day off from work, or to find an alternate (fifth) player,
will not be considered a hardship and an exception will not be
granted.
All refunds will have online processing fees deducted. Individuals
declared by the USCA as eligible for a refund and withdrawal from a
championship event must submit a written request, including
complete contact information, specific event title and region (if
applicable), and amount of the entry fee paid to: [email protected].

39
SECTION III - USCA Championships

ARENA NATIONAL MEN’S and WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Overview: The USCA Arena National Championship is a club-based
championship aimed at determining our top arena teams. An arena club
is defined as a club that is a member in good standing of the USCA and
conducts all its on-ice activities by renting ice from a facility that is not
solely or predominantly used for curling. USCA Arena-based clubs can
nominate one men’s team and one women’s team. The USCA, in
consultation with the Arena Championships Advisory Group, will be
responsible for selecting the teams for the championship. Arena
National Champions do not advance to world play.

2. Event Eligibility: U.S. citizenship or residency is required. In addition

to the USCA membership requirements in Section II, all team members
must be dues-paying, league-playing members of the same USCA arena
curling club. Individuals who also curl league at a dedicated ice facility
are ineligible to participate. Stick curlers are not eligible to compete.
Wheelchair curlers are allowed to compete, but must adhere to
wheelchair curling rules.

3. Playdown Process and Format: 20 men’s teams and 15 women’s

teams will be selected to participate in separate men’s and women’s
divisions for a total of 35 teams. Each region (Alaska, Colorado/At-large,
Dakota Territory, GNCC, GLCA, Illinois, Mid-America, Minnesota,
MOPAC, Washington, Wisconsin) will receive one entry per gender.
Remaining entries will be filled by random selection, subject to the fill
policy. Entries (preregistrations) are to be submitted by clubs to the
USCA national office. Entries in the championship go to a club, not an
individual team.
(a) Fill policy: The number of additional entries each region receives will
be proportionally based on the number of arena clubs within that
region and the total number of regions submitting entries. See
www.usacurl.org for a current listing of arena clubs by region. The host
club will receive at least one men’s and one women’s team entry.
Additional spaces in the event will be filled via random draw of all

40
remaining entries. If fewer than 20 men’s or 15 women’s teams
register, the USCA, in consultation with the Arena Championships
Advisory Group, may opt to decrease the number of teams for that
gender in an effort to ensure reasonably sized pools.
(b) Team Selection: Clubs are responsible for determining their team
selection process. The USCA realizes that arena clubs face many
challenges and difficulties in booking ice time, and will leave it to the
discretion of clubs as to how they go about this selection process. One
requirement is all teams seeking to be nominated for the event have a
reasonable opportunity to compete for the club’s nomination.
(Examples of how this can be accomplished include: by comparing team
records in league play, by organizing a separate playdown process in the
club, or by comparing the performance of different club teams in
interclub bonspiels.) The selection criteria should be made clear to all
club teams in advance of the club's selection process.
(c) Event Format: Pool Play will be used in this event.

CLUB NATIONAL MEN’S and WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Overview: The USCA Club National Championship is a club-based,
geographic championship aimed at determining our top teams from
the regions (and/or states). Teams move through the playdown
process via the traditional state and regional championships. National
Club Champions do not advance to world play.

2. Event Eligibility: U.S. citizenship or residency is required. In addition

to the USCA membership requirements in Section II, all team members
must be dues-paying, league-playing members of the same USCA club.
Each region (or state) should determine who is acting in good faith in
claiming to be a league-playing club member and each qualifying
entrant must comply with his or her region’s ruling.

3. Playdown Window: There is no formal playdown window. Regions

may choose their own early entry deadline (or may use the national
deadline), and are encouraged not to conflict playdown dates with the
Men’s and Women’s National Championships playdown dates.

41
4. Playdown Process and Format: Ten men’s and ten women’s teams
will advance to the Club Nationals as follows:
(i) One team is allotted from each of the following regions (and/or
states): AK, CO/At-Large, Dakota Territory, GLCA, GNCC, IL MCA,
Mid-America, MOPAC, MN, ND, WA, and WI.
(ii) Fill Policy - In the event that one or more regions are not able to
field a team, the vacant slot will be filled up to a maximum of ten
teams. The vacant slots will be filled beginning with the region with
the most playdown entries proceeding with other regions in order
of entries. Ties will be broken using the previous season’s entry
counts and, if needed, the season prior to the last season’s entries.
If there is still a tie, the berth reverts to the region placing highest in
the most recent season’s Men’s and Women’s Club National
Championships.
(iii) A region (and/or state) is not required to have more than one
team registered in order to retain its slot at the Nationals.
(a) Regional Competition Advancement: Each region is responsible for
determining its representatives to the Club National Championships.
Regions are encouraged to use the USCA format formula in Section II.
(b) Finals Format: The championships will be a seeded, single round
robin event. Thereafter, the round robin may be set up in a way that
allows marquee matches in prime viewing time; as long as the
drawmaster determines that the round robin schedule remains fair, in
terms of time of play and sheet repetition.
The top four teams will advance to the playoffs consisting of semifinals
and finals. Team #1 will play Team #4 and Team #2 will play Team #3
with the winners advancing to the gold medal game. The loser of the
gold medal game wins the silver medal. The semifinal losers play for
the bronze medal.

MIXED NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Overview: The USCA Mixed National Championship is a regional-
based, geographic championship aimed at determining our best mixed
teams from the regions (and/or states). Teams move through the
playdown process via the traditional regional championships. The

42
winning team of the Mixed National Championship will advance to the
Mixed World Championship.

2. Event Eligibility: All four players must be U.S. citizens as of the

deadline date. Players must be paid members of a USA Curling
member club. In addition to the USCA membership requirements in
Section II, teams registering must have at least two players who reside
in the region where the team will playdown.

3. Playdown Process and Format: Ten teams will be selected as

follows:
(i) One team is allotted from each of the following regions: AK, At-
Large/CO/MACA, GLCA, GNCC, IL, MOPAC, MN, ND, WA, and WI.
(ii) Fill Policy - In the event that one or more regions are unable to
field a team, the vacant slot(s) will be filled beginning with the
region with the most playdown entries, proceeding with other
regions in order of entries. Ties will be broken using the previous
season’s entries and, if needed, entries from the season prior to
that. If there is still a tie, the berth reverts to the region placing
highest in the most recent season's Mixed National Championship.
(iii) If a region fails to enter a team by the national entry deadline,
that region will automatically lose its national berth. A region
(and/or state) is not required to have more than one team
registered in order to retain its slot at the Nationals.
(a) Regional Competition Advancement: Each region is responsible for
determining its representatives to the Mixed National Championship.
The USCA encourages the regions to use the USCA format formula
described in Section II.
(b) Finals Format: The championship will be a single round robin
event. Thereafter the round robin may be set up in a way that allows
marquee matches in prime viewing time, as long as the draw master
determines that the round robin schedule remains fair in terms of
time of play and sheet repetition.
The top four teams will advance to the playoffs consisting of semifinals
and finals. Team #1 will play Team #4 and Team #2 will play Team #3
with the winners advancing to the gold medal game. The loser of the

43
gold medal game wins the silver medal. The semifinal losers play for
the bronze medal.

JUNIOR MEN’S and JUNIOR WOMEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

1. Overview: The Junior National Championships are aimed at
determining our top junior-aged teams from within the United States.
The field of eight teams will be determined by a berth qualifier system
which will select six teams, and the HPP junior teams will fill the last
two spots See section 4 below. The Junior National Championships
serve as a selection event for the World Junior Championships.

2. Event Eligibility: Any player who is less than 21 years of age at any
time during the 30th day of June of the year immediately preceding
(2019) the year the competition is to take place, and is a citizen of the
United States as of registration deadline, is eligible to compete.
NOTE: Coaches for all U21 and under events are required to register
3 business days prior to the close of event registration and complete
the listed requirements. Consent forms for supervising adults must
be submitted for all participants under the age of 18, who will not be
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

3. Entry Process and Playdown Window: See section II for entry

process information. In addition to individual athlete registration
(USCA), teams are required to register with the each berth qualifier
host within posted deadlines (see https://www.teamusa.org/USA-
Curling/Events/Championships-microsite/Inside-the-
Championships/National-Championship-Events/Junior-National-
Championships).

4. Playdown Process : Eight Junior Men’s and Eight Junior Women’s

teams will be selected as follows:
(a) Three berth bonspiels will determine six teams per gender as
follows: Each qualifier will have the potential for two junior national
spots per gender. A minimum of three teams per gender must be
entered in a qualifier to advance two teams per gender. If fewer than
three teams of a gender register, only one spot will be available. All
unused spots will go to qualifier #3.

44
 (i)Teams may enter as many events as they wish. Teams (and
individual players) will be ineligible to play in any successive
qualifying event if they have secured a berth in a previous berth
qualifier to Junior Nationals. Teams may reconfigure with different
players for each event. Once a team has qualified for the Junior
National Championships, there is no option to add or remove
players (only alternates).
(b) HPP teams will receive two berths per gender, for a total of 8
women’s and 8 men’s teams competing at junior nationals.

5. Finals Format: The championships will be an 8 team single round

robin event. The draw will be randomly seeded. The round robin may
be set up in a way that allows marquee matches in prime viewing
time, as long as the drawmaster determines that the round robin
schedule remains fair in terms of time of play and sheet repetition.
The top three teams as determined by round robin or tie-breaker
game will advance to a modified page playoff. There will also be a
double loss provision for any undefeated team.

6. International Representation: The winning teams shall represent

the USA at the World Junior Championship subject to meeting the
following requirements:
(i) From the date of winning the Junior National Championship, the
athletes shall come under the direction of the National Coaching
Team (NCT) through the completion of that year’s World Junior
Championship. For avoidance of doubt, the NCT will be the Coach(s)
at the World Junior Championships.
(ii) The NCT may appoint additional Coaches or Staff to assist the
team at the World Junior Championships.
(iii) From the date of winning the National Junior Championship,
selection of the fifth player shall be made following the USCA
policy for fifth players at the World Junior Championships as set out
below:

6. World Team Fifth Player Selection: A fifth player for any World
Championship team will be selected by a High Performance Selection

45
Committee which will include members of USCA National Coaching
Team (NCT), the Director of High Performance (DHP) and an available
Athlete Representative, in consultation with the team members. It will
be based on the Selection Committee’s judgment of the fifth player’s
ability to fill in on the team roster at a world performance level as
needed. The Selection Committee will consider the following criteria
when making their decision:
• World Championships performances and results during the
previous 2 years
• World Curling Tour performances and results during the previous
2 years
• US Nationals performances and results during the previous 2 years
• World Junior Championships performances and results during the
previous 2 years
• US Junior Nationals performances and results during the previous
2 years
Teams are advised that the Selection Committee will recommend that
the newly added fifth player be qualified to play at any position,
including world-level skip, unless the four-player team already
includes two (2) world-level skip players. This stipulation recognizes
the unique nature of the skip position in curling, and the need to
protect the competitive interests of the team and the USA should the
team skip be unable to play during the World Championships.
7. World Team Athlete Agreement: All athletes to be nominated to
Team USA for the World Championships are required to sign the USCA
National Team Athlete Agreement. A copy can be found on the USCA
website. Any athlete failing to sign the agreement when invited to do
so shall be disqualified from representing the USA. In this instance the
National Program Coach reserves the right to invite another athlete to
fill the vacant position. If two or more athletes fail to sign then the
team shall be disqualified, and the Director of High Performance shall
appoint a replacement team.

46
MIXED DOUBLES (2020)
1. Overview: The Mixed Doubles National Championship field is not
geographically-based. There are no regional or state playdowns
leading to the National Championship, and no requirement that
players on a team be from the same region (and/or state). Rules for
Mixed Doubles play are in the USCA Rules of Curling & Competition,
Section I, R15.

2. Event Eligibility: U.S. citizenship is required on or before the close

of registration. Players need not be residents of the United States.
Players must be paid members of the USCA (See Section II). Event
eligibility requirements are listed within Section II of the USCA Rules
of Curling & Competition.

3. Entry Process: See Section II for entry process information or visit

teamusa.org/USA-Curling

4. The Field: The 2020 Mixed Doubles National Championship will

have a 12-team field. The winner of the U.S. Mixed Doubles
National Championship will represent the USA at the 2020 Mixed
Doubles World Championship.

The field will be determined as follows:

• 2019 Mixed Doubles National Champions qualify for 2020 Mixed
Doubles Nationals
• 2019 Mixed Doubles National Runner-Up qualifies for 2020
Mixed Doubles Nationals
• Four teams will qualify based on their Year-to-Date ranking
(defined as ranking/points earned during the 2019-20 season) in
the new WCF World Team Ranking System (official name subject
to change) on November 25, 2019. (The WCF World Team
Ranking System is being adopted in 2019-20 by international
curling federations, including USA Curling, and will replace the
World Curling Tour (WCT) Order-of-Merit used in the past. The
points will be calculated using the same formula that was

47
 employed by the World Curling Tour in past seasons, but the
WCF World Team Ranking System will be more inclusive and
track points from events on regional tours such as the Ontario
Curling Tour, along with international events that may not be
associated with the WCT.) The four highest ranked teams not
already qualified will be awarded spots in the 2020 Mixed
Doubles National Championship. The season begins June 1, 2019.
• Two teams will qualify based on results at Mixed Doubles berth
bonspiels. The US team with the highest finish at these events
will earn a spot in the 2020 Mixed Doubles National
Championship. Each event awards one spot. If a non-US team
wins the event, or if the US team with the highest finish at a
berth bonspiel has already qualified for the 2020 Mixed Doubles
National Championship, the spot will go to the US team with the
next highest finish in the berth bonspiel, provided they have
qualified for the playoffs.

If no US team advances to the semi-final round, and more than one US

team is eliminated in the quarter-final round, there will be a playoff
among the teams eliminated in the quarter-final round. When this
playoff includes three or four teams, seeding will be done as follows:

If the event is a Triple Knockout format, teams will be ranked

according to how they qualified for the playoffs. Teams that qualified
“A” ranked highest, then teams that qualified “B”, and then teams
that qualified “C.” When necessary—ie. two teams both qualified for
the playoff round of the berth bonspiel the same way—cumulative
Draw Shot Challenge (DSC) scores from qualifier games in the berth
bonspiel will be used to establish seeding.

If the event is a Pool format, seeding will be established by Win-Loss

record in the qualifier round. If there are teams with the same Win-
Loss record in the qualifier round, cumulative DSC scores from the
qualifier round will be used to establish seeding. Cumulative DSC

48
 scores only determine seeding for games, not last rock or choice of
stone color. (In a two-team playoff, one game will be played to
determine the team that earns a berth in the 2020 Mixed Doubles
National Championship—no seeding will be done for this game. In a
three-team playoff, teams will be seeded 1 through 3. Teams 2 and
3 will play a semi-final game, with the winner advancing to play Team
1 in the game that determines the 2020 Mixed Doubles National
Championship berth. In a four-team playoff, teams will be seeded 1
through 4. In the first round, Team 1 will play Team 4, and Team 2
will play Team 3. The winners will advance to a final game that
determines the berth in the 2020 Mixed Doubles National
Championship.

If no US team advances to the finals of the berth bonspiel but two US

teams are eliminated in the semi-final round, there will be a one-
game playoff between those two US teams to determine the berth,
provided neither team has previously qualified for the 2020 Mixed
Doubles National Championship. There will be no seeding in this
game—last rock or choice of color will be determined by the results
of the DSC held at the start of this game.)

If no team earns a berth at one or both events (this would occur if no

US team reaches the quarter-final round or if the only teams that
reach the quarter-final round have already qualified for the 2020
Mixed Doubles National Championship), one or two additional spots
in the 2020 Mixed Doubles National Championship will be awarded
based on the WCF World Team ranking system on November 25,
2019.

Berth bonspiels are determined annually. In 2020, the following

bonspiels will be the qualifying events:

Denver—September 27-29, 2019

Madison–November 1-3, 2019

49
 • Three teams will qualify for the 2020 Mixed Doubles National
Championship through the USCA Mixed Doubles Challenge
Round in Portage, Wisconsin. This event will run from December
19-22, 2019. (Start and finish dates of the event may vary based
on the number of entries.) The Challenge Round format will be
determined based on the USCA format formula, described in
Section II (7) of the USCA Rules of Curling & Competition.

• A Selection Committee will award one Wildcard berth in the

2020 Mixed Doubles National Championship. This team will be
determined by November 30, 2019.

5. International Representation: The winner of the 2020 US Mixed

Doubles National Championship will represent the USA at the 2020
World Mixed Doubles Championship, subject to meeting the following
requirements:
(i) From the date of winning the USA Mixed Doubles National
Championships, the athletes will be under the direction of the Mixed
Doubles National Coach and the Director of Coaching, through to the
completion of the World Championship. The Mixed Doubles National
Coach and Director of Coaching, or a designee of the High
Performance Program, will be present at the World Championships.
(ii) The National Coach may appoint additional Coaches or Staff to
assist the team at the 2020 World Mixed Doubles Championship.

6. World Team Athlete Agreement: All athletes nominated to Team

USA for the 2020 World Mixed Doubles Championship are required to
sign the USCA National Team Athlete Agreement. A copy can be found
on the USCA website. Any athlete failing to sign the agreement, when
invited to do so, will be disqualified from representing the USA. If this
occurs, the High Performance Program reserves the right to invite
another athlete to fill the vacant position. If both athletes fail to sign
the agreement, the team will be disqualified, and the runner-up will be
nominated.

50
NATIONAL MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

1. Overview: The 2020 Men’s and Women’s National Championship

field is not geographically based.

The 2020 Men’s and Women’s National Championship fields will

include ten teams per gender, provided there are at least fourteen
entries for each gender. If there are thirteen or fewer entries, the
National Championship field will be eight teams. This applies to both
the Men’s and Women’s National Championship. If there are eight or
fewer teams registered for either the Men’s or Women’s National
Championship, the Challenge Round will be canceled and all registered
teams will advance to the National Championship.

The WCF World Team Ranking System is being adopted in 2019-20 by

international curling federations, including USA Curling, and will
replace the World Curling Tour (WCT) Order-of-Merit used in the past.
The points will be calculated using the same formula that was
employed by the World Curling Tour in past seasons, but the WCF
World Team Ranking System will be more inclusive and track points
from events on regional tours such as the Ontario Curling Tour, along
with international events that may not be associated with the WCT.

Teams will qualify as follows:

(i) National Championship—ten team field, Men’s and Women’s.
Five spots in the 2020 National Championship will be awarded to
the five US teams ranked highest on the WCF World Team
Ranking system. Four spots in the 2020 Men’s/Women’s
National Championship will be awarded at the USCA Challenge
Round. The remaining spot in the 2020 Men’s/Women’s National
Championship in a ten-team field will be awarded to a Junior
team, selected by the Director of the Junior High Performance
Program.
(ii) National Championship—eight team field, Men’s and Women’s.
Four spots in the 2020 National Championship will be awarded

51
 to the four US teams ranked highest on the WCF World Team
Ranking system. Three spots in the 2020 Men’s/Women’s
National Championship will be awarded at the USCA Challenge
Round. The remaining spot in the 2020 Men’s/Women’s National
Championship in an eight-team field will be awarded to a Junior
team, selected by the Director of the Junior High Performance
Program.

2. Event Eligibility: U.S. citizenship is required on or before the close

of registration. Players need not be residents of the United States.
Players must be paid members of the USCA (See Section II). Event
eligibility requirements are listed within Section II of the USCA Rules
of Curling & Competition.

3. Entry Process: See Section II of the USCA Rules of Curling &

Competition for entry process information or visit
teamusa.org/USA-Curling.

4. Challenge Round: The Challenge Round will be a triple knockout

format, subject to the number of entries, as per Section II (5) of
USCA Format Policy, and advance three or four teams to the
National Championships. The Men’s and Women’s Challenge
Rounds will be seeded using the WCF World Team Ranking system
published by the World Curling Federation. Any team(s) which has
no ranking points as of the completion date of December 3rd on the
year to date WCF World Team Ranking system published by the
World Curling Federation shall be seeded in the Challenge Round by
a small committee which will include the Chairman of Competitions,
the Director of Coaching and an AAC representative.

The draw will be set with the highest-ranking team playing the lowest-
ranking team in the first game (high ranking teams may receive a
first round bye if the draw is not evenly distributed).

5. Finals Format: The 2020 Men’s and Women’s National Championship

will be a single round- robin event. The draw will be randomly seeded.

52
The round-robin may be set up in a way that places marquee matches
in prime viewing time, provided the Drawmaster determines that the
round-robin schedule remains fair in terms of time of play and sheet
repetition.

In a ten-team field, the top four teams, as determined by round robin

or tie-breaker games, will advance to a Page playoff. In an eight-team
field, the top three teams, as determined by round- robin or tie-breaker
games. will advance to a modified Page playoff. See Section IV (20.)
Tie-breakers will be played under the rules set forth in Section IV (14)
of the USCA Rules of Curling & Competition.
The relative ranking of the advancing teams will be determined by the
Chief Umpire according to Section IV (15) of the USCA Rules of Curling
& Competition.

6. World Championship Team Qualification—2020 and 2021

As the Olympic Quadrennial progresses, the intent of World
Championship Team Qualification is to reward US teams that compete
frequently in multiple events and achieve consistent results.
Points earned at the 2020 and 2021 Men’s and Women’s World
Curling Championships are the primary way the field is determined at
2022 Winter Olympic Games. Teams/countries that achieve enough
points will be placed directly in the Olympic Games field, and not be
forced to earn spots through the Olympic Qualifier events. Team USA
results are critical to our nation’s participation in curling in the 2022
Winter Olympic Games.

As a result, the standards for World Championship Team Qualification

will increase in 2020, and will increase again in 2021.

Qualification Standards—2020

Any Men’s or Women’s team that wins the 2020 National

Championship and was either ranked in the Top 70 or had earned 60
Points (Year-to-Date, defined as ranking/points earned during the
2019-20 season) in the WCF World Team Ranking system, as of

53
January 31, 2020, will be named Team USA for the 2020
Men’s/Women’s World Curling Championships.

Qualification Standards—2021
Any Men’s or Women’s team that wins the 2021 National
Championship and was either ranked in the Top 50 or had earned 80
Points (Year-to-Date, defined as ranking/points earned during the
2020-21 season) in the WCF World Team Ranking system, as of
January 31, 2021, will be named Team USA for the 2021
Men’s/Women’s World Curling Championships.

• If the Men’s or Women’s team that wins the 2020 or 2021 USA
Curling Nationals does not meet the above qualification
standards, the Men’s or Women’s team with the most points in
the WCF World Team Ranking points system when the National
Championship concludes will be named Team USA, provided that
this team has placed third or higher at the National
Championship.
• In the event of a tie in WCF World Team Ranking system points,
and a team that meets the Top 70/60 Points standard (2020) or
the Top 50/80 Points standard (2021) does not win the
Nationals, the team that does meet the World Ranking Team
standard and places highest at the National Championship will
be named Team USA for the World Men’s or Women’s
Championship.
• All U.S. teams will start the season at zero points and the season
will start June 1st of that season.
• All U.S. teams will be required to register their team with the
World Curling Tour to be eligible to earn WCF World Team
Ranking points toward World Championship Team Qualification.
Teams are responsible for ensuring their point totals are
recorded correctly.
• Teams must have a minimum of three Team USA-eligible,
registered players on the ice for all games at any event to earn
points toward World Championship Team Qualification. Only
Team USA-eligible players of the same gender can be used as

54
 substitute players at any event to earn points toward USA
Worlds Team Qualification.

7. International Representation: The teams earning World

Championship Team Qualification will represent the USA at the World
Men’s or Women’s Championships, subject to meeting the following
requirements:
(i) From the date of earning World Championship Team Qualification,
the athletes will come under the direction of the National
Coaching Team (NCT) through to the completion of the World
Championship. Members of the NCT will be the Coaches at the
World Men’s and Women’s Championships.
(ii) The NCT may appoint additional Coaches or Staff to assist the
team at the World Men’s or Women’s Championships.
(iii) From the date of earning World Championship Team
Qualification, the election of the fifth player/alternate will be
made according to the USCA policy for fifths/alternates at all
World Championships outlined below.

8. World Team Fifth Player Selection: A fifth/alternate for any World

Championship team will be selected, in consultation with team
members, by a High Performance Program Committee that includes
staff and an Athlete Representative. The Committee will consider the
following criteria when making their decision:

• Performance and results at World Championships in previous

two years
• Performance and results on the World Curling Tour during the
previous two years
• Performance and results at the National Championships during
the previous two years
• Performance and results at the Junior World Championships
during the previous two years
• Performance and results at the Junior National Championships
during the previous two years

55
Teams are advised that the Selection Committee will recommend that
the newly added fifth player be qualified to play at any position at a
world championship, including skip, unless the four-player team
already includes two skips qualified to play that position at a world
championship. This stipulation recognizes the unique nature of the
skip position in curling, and the need to protect the competitive
interests of the team and the USA should the team skip be unable to
play during the World Championship.

9. World Team Athlete Agreement: All athletes nominated to Team

USA for the 2020 World Men’s or Women’s Championship are required
to sign the USCA National Team Athlete Agreement. A copy can be
found on the USCA website. Any athlete failing to sign the agreement,
when invited to do so, will be disqualified from representing the USA. If
this occurs, the High Performance Program reserves the right to invite
another athlete to fill a vacant position. If two or more athletes on the
team fail to sign the agreement, the team will be disqualified, and the
High Performance Program will appoint a replacement team.

SENIOR MEN’S and SENIOR WOMEN’S

Start and finish dates for both the Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s
events are subject to change, depending on the number of entries
(accordion in nature).

1. Overview: The Senior Men’s and Women’s National Championships

are non-geographic championships aimed at determining our top senior
teams. There are no regional or state playdowns.

2. Eligibility: Any player who is at least 50 years of age at any time

during the 30th day of June of the year immediately preceding the year
the competition is to take place, and is a citizen of the United States as
of the registration deadline, is eligible to compete. This event advances
to the Senior World Championships.

56
3. Entry Process: See Section II for entry process information.

4. Playdown Process and Format: The format for the Senior Men’s and
Women’s National Championship depends on the number of entries
and will be peer seeded. The USCA format formula described in Section
II will be used.

U18 BOYS and GIRLS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

1. Overview: the USCA U18 National Championships are a regional-
based, geographic championship aimed at determining our top under
18-aged teams from within the USCA regions. Teams move through
the playdown process via the traditional state and regional
championships. See section 5 below. U18 National Champions do not
advance to world play.
NOTE: Coaches for all U21 and under events are required to register
3 business days prior to the close of event registration and complete
the listed requirements. Consent forms for supervising adults must
be submitted for all participants under the age of 18, who will not be
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
2. Event Eligibility: Any player who is less than 18 years of age at any
time during the 30th day of June of the year immediately preceding
(2019) the year the competition is to take place, and is a resident (no
minimum residency required) of the United States as of registration
deadline. All players must be league playing (majority of scheduled
games) member of a USCA member club within the registered region.
3. Entry Process and Playdown Window: The playdown entry
deadline and playdown windows are set to ensure no conflicts with
the Junior National Challenge round dates.
*All regional playdowns must be completed at a minimum
of three weeks prior to the national event.
4. Playdown Process and Format: Twelve U18 Men’s and twelve U18
Women’s teams will be selected as follows:
(i) One team is allotted from each of the following regions: Alaska,
At-Large/Colorado/Mid-America, GLCA, MCA, MOPAC,
Minnesota, Dakota Territory, Washington, and Wisconsin. Two
teams will be allotted for the GNCC. In addition the host club will

57
 receive a spot. (The majority must be club members and
commitment must be conveyed to the USCA before the
conclusion of the first regional playdown).
(ii) Fill Policy – In the event that one or more regions or host club
are unable to field a team, the vacant slot(s) will be filled to a
total of twelve teams, beginning with the region with the most
teams registered, and proceeding with the other regions in order
of number of entries.
(a) Regional Competition Advancement: Each region is responsible for
determining its representatives to the U18 National Championship.
Regions are encouraged to use the USCA format formula as described
in Section II, but not required.
(b) Finals Format: The championship finals will be a split round-robin
event, with two divisions of 6 teams each. Seeding will be determined
by the USCA Junior National Championships Advisory Group (see
Junior Championships section for definition). The round robins may
be set up in a way that allows marquee matches in prime viewing
time, as long as the drawmaster determines that the round robin
schedule remains fair in terms of time of play and sheet repetition.
The top two teams from each division advance to semifinals (A1 v. B2,
B1 v. A2). The semifinal winners play in the gold medal game, the
semifinal losers play in the bronze medal game. When teams are tied
for a play-off position, a maximum of one session of tie-breakers will
be played to determine which team(s) advances to the play-offs.
Team(s) can be eliminated, without playing an extra game, if more
than one session of tie-breakers would be required. The relative
ranking of the advancing teams will be determined by the Chief
Umpire according to Section IV (O). All games will be 8 ends and each
team will be allotted two time outs.

5. International Representation: The winning teams shall represent

the USA at the U18 Players Championship Slam (Canada).

58
YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES Trials (2020)
1. Overview: This is intended to be an overview of the playdown
process for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Trials. The complete YOG
Team Selection Procedures as approved by the USOC October 23,
2018, are posted on the USA Curling web site (www.usacurl.org),
The YOG Trials will select the nominee team (mixed team, two males
& two females) to represent the United States in the YOG occurring
Jan. 10-19, 2020, to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland. The USCA
provides nominations to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC)
for the U.S. representative curling team and coach. There is no travel
subsidy for teams to compete at the Trials. The chosen team and
coach will be supported by U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) funding
for participation in the Youth Olympic Games, and will be subject to
the USOC requirements in regard to code of conduct and other
required USOC forms.
The winning team of the YOG Trials will be nominated as the U.S. YOG
representatives, provided they meet all USOC and USCA eligibility
requirements. The Coach/Team Leader will be selected as indicated in
the Youth Olympic Games Team Staff Selection Procedures. Only those
coaches meeting the qualification criteria as stated in the Selection
Procedures—and who applied for the position will be considered. The
winning team’s coach will be considered but only selected if he/she
meets the qualification requirements and applied for the position. The
Coach/Team Leader selection will be made by a committee including
the Director High Performance, the Chief Executive Officer and the
USOC AAC Athlete Representative.
The Youth Olympic Games playdown is a non-geographic
championship. There are no regional or state playdowns leading to the
trials, and no requirement that players on a team be from the same
state or region.
NOTE: Coaches for all U21 and under events are required to register
3 business days prior to the close of event registration and complete
the listed requirements. Consent forms for supervising adults must
be submitted for all participants under the age of 18, who will not be
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

2. Event Eligibility:

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A) All players on a team must be United States citizens, and hold a
valid U.S. passport which does not expire until 6 months after the
Games. Players must be paid members of the USCA, or pay a $100
administrative fee at the time of registration to the USCA for any
player not belonging to such a club.
B) An athlete must be born between January 1, 2002 and December 31,
2005.

3. Entry Process: See Section II of Championships Rules Book for

general entry details. At the time of entry, each team must submit:
1. Completed online registration from all players.
2. Acknowledged Player/Coach Code of Conduct Agreements with
Release. Club membership will be checked by the USCA office
(unless the $100 administrative fee is paid); for purposes of the
code of conduct, the team advancing to the Youth Olympic Games
is considered a “world team” and is subject to the applicable rules
under paragraph 15; a team is required to have a coach at the
Trials. All coaches must meet all coaching requirements (see II, 6-e)
, he or she must also acknowledge the Code of Conduct form.
Coaching a team during the Trials does not automatically qualify
that coach to also serve as the coach at the Youth Olympic Games.
3. Proof of citizenship, if not already on file with the USCA
4. Full payment of entry fees
5. Parents/guardians are responsible for registering minor participants
for this event.
Participants are notified that, in addition to the forms required at the
beginning of the entry process, all participants will receive an
invitation (via email) to complete a YOG Games registration profile
through the Team USA Portal from the U.S. Olympic Committee. IF
ANY TEAM MEMBER DOES NOT ALREADY HAVE A VALID PASSPORT,
HE OR SHE SHOULD APPLY FOR A PASSPORT IMMEDIATELY. Players
will also be required at that meeting to sign the United States Olympic
Committee Code of Conduct, if they have not already done so.
To facilitate the quick completion of the remaining USOC forms for the
winning teams, all teams who have signed up by August 14, 2019, will

60
be invited to complete a YOG Games registration profile through the
Team USA Portal. Delegate requirements from the USOC.

4. Playdown Process and Format: The format for the Youth Olympic
Games Playdown depends on the number of entries The USCA format
formula described in Section I (6) of the Championship Rules will be
used. As soon as possible after the sign-up deadline, teams will be
notified of the specific format, and the beginning and ending dates for
the trials.

5. Alcohol Consumption Policy: Players who are under the age of 21

are subject to the same rule as for U21 and under championships,
which is: consumption of alcohol by the players under 21 is prohibited
from the time of departure from the city of home/school residence,
through the competition, and until the return to the city of
home/school residence, including, without limitation, any banquet or
post championship/event celebration.
Sanctions for violation of this policy are as set forth in paragraph 12(b)
of the Code of Conduct.
Once the team has been selected, the Director of High Performance and
others on the High Performance Program staff, in consultation with the
USCA Chief Executive Officer and the USCA High Performance Advisory
Group, will be in charge of team preparation for the YOG.
Any members of the committees/advisory groups for whom a direct
conflict of interest arises connected to overseeing the selection
process (to include, but not be limited to, a competing athlete, a
coach or a family member of an athlete being considered for a
nomination to the 2020 Youth Olympic Games), will recuse
themselves from the committee/group, and will be replaced on the
committee/group with another person (or, in the case of an athlete,
an athlete named by the USCA Athletes Advisory Council) prior to any
necessary committee/group vote.

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SECTION IV – EVENT PROCEDURES

1. Appointment of Officials:
(a) For all USCA regional events and all National events, the
Competitions Committee will appoint Chief and Deputy Chief Umpire
positions at or before the fall USCA meeting. A listing of all appointed
Officials will be posted on the USCA web site. The USCA shall appoint a
Chief Umpire for the National championships no later than December
31 of the previous year.
(b) The district, region (and/or state), shall appoint a Chief Umpire for
each championship no later than 30 days prior to each event.
(c) The Board of Review will be selected from a panel of qualified and
available individuals, including at least one male and one female athlete
suggested by the AAC, which panel shall be developed by the chair of
the Rules Committee and the co-chair of the Competitions Committee.

2. Draws: The USCA Drawmaster, in consultation with the Competitions

Committee, Athletes Advisory Council, and Host Committee, will
determine the schedule and draw for all events leading to the National
Championship. Regional (and/or state) draws will be the responsibility
of the regions. Regions are encouraged to use the USCA formula
described in Section II.
(a) Assignment of Practice Time and Stone Handle Color: For round
robin draws, teams will be assigned stone handle color and practice
time by the Drawmaster in as equitable a manner as possible, based
on the criteria that each team throws light and dark colored handles
and has first and second practice, an equal number of times, if
possible. The team listed first in the draw schedule for the round robin
games will play the stones with the dark colored handles; the team
listed second will play with the stones with the light colored handles.
At events with an odd number of round robin games, teams will flip a
coin for practice time in their first draw. The team that wins the coin
toss chooses practice time.
For knockout draws, teams will flip a coin for choice of stone handle
color or practice time.

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All games will be scheduled ten ends. Ties are full extra ends. At the
Senior National Championships, Wheelchair National Championship,
Mixed Championship, Mixed Doubles Championship, U18
Championships and Arena Nationals all games will be eight ends.
There is no minimum number of ends required.

3. Notification and Photos; All Championships: Regions are charged

with the responsibility of administering their respective competitions
within the framework of the deadline set by the USCA. Each region must
appoint a playdown chairperson. Failure to observe deadlines could
lead to disqualification and reassignment of berth in the competition.
Regional Playdown Chairs shall:
(i) Certify to the National Championship Chair and the USCA on or
before the National Playdown Deadlines, the regional champion
and runner-up teams.
(ii) Two 4" x 6" glossy photo prints of the winning team (from the
chest up and arranged by position with the skip to the
photographer's left) should be mailed to the National Chairperson
of the applicable championship. One photo (same) should be sent
to the US Curling News (same address as USCA). Electronic format
is acceptable but glossy print is preferred to ensure higher quality.
Email photos as JPG files to the USCA Director of Communications
([email protected]). Provide a list of players names in
order of appearance (L to R). PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY.

4. Peer-Seeding Process: For events that use peer-seeding, after the

entry deadline and any subsequent playdown, the USCA office will send
seeding ballots to the team contact person to rank the field. Ballots
should be ranked beginning with #1 for the strongest team, and so on,
according to the viewpoint of the person completing the ballot,
excluding that person's own team. Ballots are to be completed by team
skips (or another designated team member). All seeding ballots must be
returned to the office within 72 hours. Incomplete ballots cannot be
included. The office will compile the data and seed the teams.

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5. Start of any Championship: Each championship event will begin upon
the arrival of the USCA Chief Umpire. Additional up-front time may be
required by the ice technician for ice preparation. In addition, the USCA
will appoint a local USCA director to act as liaison between the event
and the USCA. Once the championship begins, any ice use other than
the championships must be coordinated and approved by the Chief
Umpire. If a host site allows a competing team on the ice prior to the
arrival of the Chief Umpire, they must offer a similar opportunity to all
competing teams.

6. Team Practice: At all championships, a team practice session will be

allowed if time permits. The host committee in consultation with the
Chief Umpire will confirm practice times. The drawmaster will assign
team practice time based on seeding, with the higher ranked teams
having the preferred practice times.

7. Team Meetings: Prior to the commencement of play, teams are

required to meet with the Chief Umpire and the host committee. The
meeting will follow the script outlined in the USCA Officiating Manual.
The purpose of the meeting is to inform the teams of the format,
schedule, local conditions, including, but is not limited to, rules
interpretations. All players are expected to know and understand the
Rules of Curling. All players and their coaches are required to attend
this meeting. Failure to do so, without approval of the Chief Umpire,
results in the forfeit of the last stone advantage for that team in their
first game. For teams in post round robin play, the mandatory one or
two team members (players and/or coach) must attend the play-off
meetings, or the team will lose the choices to which they would
normally be entitled.

8. Opening Ceremonies: In most championships, the Host Committee

will conduct opening ceremonies. Teams are required to be in complete
team uniform.

9. Pre-game Practice and Game Times: The Chief Umpire, immediately

after arrival, will designate a championship clock to be used as the

64
“official” game and practice clock. The designated clock should be in
plain view of all the athletes from the ice surface.
A warm-up period will be allowed for each team on the ice on which
they will be playing, immediately prior to the start of each game. For all
events except Mixed Doubles, the following schedule will be used:
First practice will begin 30 minutes before the start of the game; 20
minutes – second practice; 10 minutes is provided for the ice to be
cleaned after the warm-up period.
Practice will be nine minutes in length. A team’s Last Stone Draw (LSD)
shots to determine choice of last stone in the first end in the ensuing
game will take place in the two minutes following the end of each
team’s pre-game practice.
For the Mixed Doubles Championship, the first practice will begin 20
minutes before the start of the game. Each practice will be six minutes
in length followed by two minutes for the LSDs. For post round robin
play, each team will have eight minutes practice time.
NOTE: The Chief Umpire, in consultation with the head ice technician,
may shorten the pre-game practice time to reduce wear on the pebble.
If the Chief Ice Technician deems it necessary, the ice will be cleaned,
and the slide path re-pebbled, after the pre-game practice.
Any team not available to play 1-15 minutes after the scheduled time
shall be penalized one end and one point, and an additional end and
point if the delay is between 15 and 30 minutes. A delay of 30 minutes
shall constitute a default. 3 minutes 45 seconds (4 minutes 30 seconds
in Wheelchair curling, 2 minutes 45 seconds in Mixed Doubles curling)
will be deducted from each team’s clock for each end lost. Last stone
advantage will be in favor of the non-offending team.

10. Coaching: While a game is in progress, the coach, the alternate

player, and all other team officials are prohibited from communicating
with their team or being within the playing area except during
specifically designated breaks or a team time-out. This restriction
applies to all verbal, visual, written, and electronic communication,
including any attempt to signal for the implementation of a team time-
out. The coach, the alternate player, and one additional team official
(individuals who registered online for event participation only –

65
officials, see participant report from national office for confirmation)
may participate in the pre-event and the pre-game practices, but may
not communicate with their team during the LSD. During the game,
there shall be no unauthorized communications or broadcasts of any
sort from the coach bench to anyone who is not sitting in that
designated area. Coaches and other team personnel sitting on the
coach bench cannot watch or listen to broadcasts. For any violation the
offending person will be removed from the coach’s bench for that
game.

11. Team Line-up: The team delivery rotation, skip and vice-skip
positions, alternate player, coach, and team official must be listed on
the original team line-up form, and must be submitted to the Chief
Umpire at the end of the Team Meeting. Any changes to the team line-
up must be submitted to the chief Umpire at least 15 minutes prior to
the first pre-game practice. For the first violation the team will receive
a warning. For a second violation the coach will be removed from the
coach’s bench for that game. The Chief Umpire may recommend the
disqualification or suspension of any player, coach or team official from
present or future competitions.

12. Game Timing:

(a) Each team receives 38 minutes of thinking time for a 10 end game,
and 30 minutes of thinking time for an 8 end game (38 minutes in
Wheelchair curling, 22 minutes in Mixed Doubles curling). This time is
recorded, and visible to the teams and coaches, throughout the game.
(b) When a team delays the start of a game, the thinking time allotted
to each team is reduced by 3 minutes 45 seconds (4 minutes 45 seconds
in Wheelchair curling, 2 minutes 45 seconds in Mixed Doubles curling)
for each end which was considered completed (Rules of Curling Section
I, R11 apply).
(c) When extra ends are required, the game clocks are reset and each
team receives 4 minutes 30 seconds of thinking time for each extra end
(6 minutes in wheelchair curling, 3 minutes in mixed doubles curling).
(d) The game and each end starts when the allotted break time expires.
The delivering team’s game clock, will not run during the start of the

66
game/end unless that team is delaying the start (no forward motion
from the hack, or the stone not released from the delivery stick), then
its game clock will be started. If there is no delay, the first game clock
to start in each end will be that of the team delivering the second stone.
(e) Once all of the criteria below are met, the non-delivering team
becomes the delivering team, and its game clock is started:
(i) all stones have come to rest or have crossed the back line and
(ii) stones that are displaced due to violations by the delivering team,
and require repositioning, are returned to their positions prior to
the violation and
(iii) the playing area has been relinquished to the other team, the
person in charge of the house has moved behind the back line,
and the deliverer and sweepers have moved to the sides of the
sheet.
(f) A team’s game clock stops once the stone has reached the tee line
(hog line in wheelchair curling) at the delivery end.
(g) A team delivers stones only when its game clock is running or
scheduled to be running.
(h) If stones need to be repositioned due to a violation caused by an
external force, both game clocks are stopped.
(i) Game clocks are stopped at any time an Umpire intervenes.
(j) After the teams have agreed on the score for an end, a break
occurs, when neither game clock is running. If a measurement is
required, the break begins at the completion of that measurement.
The length of the break between ends, which may vary due to
television requirements or to other external factors, is determined for
each competition and explained at the Team Meeting. When a break
is of 3 minutes or more, the teams are informed when 1 minute of the
break remains. Teams should not deliver the first stone of the next
end before the end of a break. If the first stone of any end is delivered
within 10 seconds after the break has elapsed, the time-clock will not
start. The delivering team’s game clock will start at the conclusion of
the break unless the player is in the process of delivery.
The length of the break will normally be:
(i) 1 minute at the completion of each end, except as noted in (j)(ii).
In Mixed Doubles, when players are responsible for placing the

67
 stationary stones before each end, 30 seconds will be added to
the time between ends.
Teams cannot meet, or communicate in any way, with a coach,
the alternate player, or any other team official.
(ii) 5 minutes at the completion of the end that defines the halfway
point in the game. Teams are allowed to meet, within the playing
area, with any player and team official who is authorized to be
on the coach bench for that game.
(k) If a player is allowed to redeliver a stone, the Umpire decides if the
time required is to be deducted from the game time for that team.
(l) If an end is to be replayed, the game clocks are reset to the time
recorded at the completion of the previous end.
(m) If an Umpire determines that a team is unnecessarily delaying a
game, the umpire notifies the skip of the offending team and, after
that notification, if the next stone to be delivered has not reached the
tee line (hog line in wheelchair curling) at the delivery end within 45
seconds, the stone is removed from play immediately.
(n) Each team must complete its part of a game within the time given,
or forfeit the game. If a stone reaches the tee line (hog line in
wheelchair curling) at the delivery end before time expires, the stone
is considered delivered in time.
(o) A team whose clock has run due to a timing error (wrong clock
running) will have double the agreed error time added back to its
clock.
(p) A team whose time clock did not run due to a timing error (no
clock running) will not have the time deducted from its time clock, but
the appropriate amount of time will be added to the other team’s
time clock.

13. Team Time-outs/Technical Time-outs

(a) Team time-outs will be allowed at all USCA events, with or without
time clocks being used.
(b) Each team may call one 60 second team time-out during each
game and one 60 second team time-out in each extra end.
(c) Procedures for a team time-out are as follows:
(i) Only the players on the ice may call a team time-out.

68
 (ii) Team time-outs may be called by any on-ice team player only
when that team’s game clock is running. Players signal a team
time-out by using a “T” hand signal.
(iii) A team time-out (when the game clock is stopped) starts as
soon as the time-out is called and consists of “travel time” to get
to the team plus 60 seconds. The amount of travel time will be
determined at each event by the Chief Umpire, and is given to all
teams, whether or not they have a coach, and whether or not a
coach meets with the team during the time out.
(iv) Only one person, who is sitting in the designated coaching area
of the team that called the team time-out, is allowed to meet
with the team. This person must use the designated route to the
team. Where walkways are beside the sheet, that person must
not stand on the playing ice surface.
(v) The team is notified when there are 10 seconds remaining in the
team time-out.
(vi) When the team time-out has expired, the person from the
coach’s bench must stop conferring with the team and leave the
playing area immediately.
(d) A technical time-out may be called by a team to request a ruling,
for an injury, or for other extenuating circumstances. Game clocks will
be stopped during technical time-outs.

14. Tie-Breaking Procedures: At any level of play, a team tied for a

place in the playoffs cannot be eliminated from a championship in any
way other than by losing an extra game. The Competitions Committee
reserves the right to playoff any tie-breaker game, regardless of the tie-
breaker chart.
Ties are to be broken by using the USCA Tie-break chart for four
qualifiers, or for three qualifiers (later in this section). Scheduling
constraints may justify the use of exceptions to these tie-breaker rules
for the following events: U18 Championships, Arena Championships.

15. Team Ranking Procedure: The following criteria (in order) will be
used to rank the teams at the completion of the round robin:
(a) Teams will be ranked according to their win/loss record;

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(b) If two teams are tied, the team that won their round robin game will
be ranked higher. In a double round robin, if one team won both the
round robin games, they are ranked higher;
(c) Where three or more teams are tied, the record of the games
between the tied teams shall provide the ranking (should this
procedure provide a ranking for some teams but not all, then a
subsequent comparison of the record of the games between only the
remaining teams that are still tied shall determine their ranking);
Where there is more than one group and these groups are of differing
sizes, to ensure the DSC is calculated in the same way, only the LSDs
from the first ‘equal number’ of games will be used.
(d) For all remaining teams whose ranking cannot be determined by (a)
or (b) or (c), ranking is determined using the DSC (draw shot challenge).
The DSC is the average distance of all the individual Last Stone Draw
stones, which were delivered by a team during the round robin. Where
a total of 11 or fewer individual stones will be delivered, the single least
favorable result is automatically eliminated when calculating the
average distance. Where more than 11 individual stones will be
delivered, the two least favorable results will be eliminated when
calculating the average distance. The team with the lesser DSC receives
the higher ranking. If the DSCs are equal, then the team with the best
non-equal counting LSD receives the higher ranking. In the case where
all counting LSDs are equal, the teams flip a coin.
(e) The final ranking of teams that lose in a tie-breaker will be
determined as follows:
(i) Teams that are eliminated in an earlier tie-breaker session are
ranked lower.
(ii) Teams that lose in the same tie-breaker session are ranked
according to the same criteria as 15(b), (c), (d).

16. Last Stone Draw (LSD)

(a) The team listed first in the draw schedule for the round robin games
will play the stones with the dark-colored handles; the team listed
second will play with the stones with the light-colored handles.
(b) For games requiring Last Stone Draws (LSD), at the conclusion of
each team’s pre-game practice, two stones will be delivered to the tee

70
at the home end, by different players – the first stone with a clockwise
and the second with a counter-clockwise rotation. A player (alternate)
that delivers or sweeps an LSD stone does not have to play in that game.
Sweeping is allowed (except in wheelchair curling). In Mixed curling
each gender must deliver one stone, but the team selects the sweepers
independent of their gender. The first stone will be measured and
removed from play before the second stone is delivered. The distances
recorded for each stone will be added together to give the team its LSD
total for that game. The team with the lesser LSD total will have the
choice of delivering the first or second stone in the first end of that
game. If the LSD totals for both teams are the same, the individual LSD
stones are compared and the best non-equal LSD has the choice of
delivering first of second stone in the first end. When both teams have
the exact same individual LSD stone distances, a coin toss will be used
to determine that choice.
(c) LSD distances will be measured and recorded in the following
manner:
(i) All single measurements will be from the tee to the nearest part
of the stone, but the LSD distances will be displayed in inches as
the distance from the tee to the center of the stone.
(ii) The official radius to be used in USCA events is 14.2 cm (5.6
in.).
(iii) To any result measured, the radius of 14.2 cm (5.6 in.) has to be
added. This means that the distance for stones not in the house
is 185.4 cm. + 14.2 cm. (6 ft. 6.6 in.).
(iv) Stones covering the tee will be measured from two locations
(holes) at the edge of the 4 foot circle. These two locations make
a 90 degree angle with the center hole and are 2 feet from the
center hole.
(d) The number of LSD stones, and the number of clockwise and
counter-clockwise deliveries for each player will be determined at each
competition depending upon the number of games in the round robin.
Based on the Original Team Line-up form, the four players (two in Mixed
Doubles) have to fulfill the minimum number of LSD stones in games
that are considered in the calculation of the DSC. If there is a violation

71
where the minimum requirements are not fulfilled, the appropriate
LSD(s) will be recorded as 199.6 cm. (6 ft. 6.6 in.).
(i) LSD stones delivered by the alternate can be combined at the end
of the games that are considered in the calculation of the DSC with
only one other player, so that this player fulfills the minimum
required number of LSD stones.
(ii) Where a team plays an entire event with only 3 players, the LSD
stone requirements of the missing player are shared equitably
amongst the other players.
(iii) If a full team (4 players) has not fulfilled the required minimum
throws following their last game, their lowest LSD result(s) will be
recorded as 199.6 cm. (6 ft. 6.6 in).
Considered Considered Minimum for each
Number of round Number of LSD player
robin games stones
4 8 2 stones, 1 cw + 1 ccw
5 10 2 stones, 1 cw + 1 ccw
6 12 2 stones, 1 cw + 1 ccw
7 14 3 stones, 1 cw + 1 ccw
8 16 3 stones, 1 cw + 1 ccw
9 18 4 stones, 2 cw + 2 ccw
10 20 4 stones, 2 cw + 2 ccw
11 22 4 stones, 2 cw + 2 ccw
12 24 5 stones, 2 cw + ccw
cw = clockwise, ccw = counter-clockwise
(e) For Mixed Doubles each player delivers an equal number of
clockwise and counter-clockwise LSD stones. If there are an odd
number of games a variation of one rotation per player has to occur.
(f) For knockout events, all players are to deliver as equal a number of
LSD stones as possible.

17. Post Round Robin Advantages: When round robin play (one group)
is used at USCA competitions, with each competing team playing all
other teams, stone color and first stone in the first end of post round
robin games is determined as follows:

72
(a) The team with the better win/loss record has the choice of stone
color and playing first or second stone in the first end; the team
delivering the first stone of the first end will practice last.
(b) If the teams have the same win/loss record, the winner of their
round robin game has the choice of stone color or playing first or
second stone in the first end. The team delivering first stone of the
first end will practice last.
(c) Notwithstanding (i) and (ii), for competitions that use the Page or
modified Page play-off system, the winner of the 1-2 game has choice
of stone color and delivering the first or second stone in the first end
of the gold medal game if they were the clear leader after the round
robin. The winner of the 1-2 game has choice of stone color or
delivering the first or second stone in the first end of the gold medal
game if they were not the clear leader after the round robin.
(d ) Where three or more teams are tied, the record of the games
between the tied teams shall provide the ranking (should this
procedure provide a ranking for some teams but not all, then the
record of the games between the remaining teams that are still tied
shall determine the ranking);
(e) The pool of available stones in all playoff games will be determined
by the Chief Umpire. The pool of available stones will be as large as
the Chief Umpire determines to be practicable.
(f) Special rule for split pools: When teams play a round robin in
separate groups or pools, for the playoff game(s), if the teams are
from the same group, 17 a, b will be used, and if the teams are from
different groups, the team with 1) fewer losses, or 2) the lesser DSC,
has choice of either the first or second practice or the stone handle
color. Then regular LSD procedures (without minimum requirements),
will determine which team has the choice of delivering the first or
second stone in the first end. Where there is more than one group
and these groups are of differing sizes, to ensure the DSC is calculated
in the same way, only the LSDs from the first ‘equal number’ of games
will be used.
(g) For events with a Double Loss Provision, an undefeated team has
the choice of playing first or second stone in the first end of all final
games

73
18. Event Officiating:
(a) Chief Umpires, Game Timers, Timing Supervisors and On-Ice
Supervisors will be present at all championship games. There will be
an on-ice supervisor present for every two sheets (every sheet for
semis and finals). When a full complement of officials is not available,
priority will be given to the officiating roles listed earlier in that order.
(b) The Umpire determines any matter in dispute between teams,
whether or not the matter is covered by the rules.
(c) An Umpire may intervene at any time during a competition, and
give directions concerning the placement of stones, the conduct of
players, and adherence to the rules.
(d) The Chief Umpire may intervene at any time in any game and give
such directions concerning the conduct of the game as is considered
proper.
(e) An Umpire may delay a game for any reason and determine the
length of the delay.
(f) All matters pertaining to the rules are adjudicated by an umpire. In
the event that there is an appeal against an umpire’s decision, the
decision of the Chief Umpire is final.
(g) The Chief Umpire may eject a player, coach or team official from a
game for what is considered to be unacceptable conduct or language.
The ejected person must leave the competition area and take no
further part in that game. When a player is ejected from a game, an
alternate player may not be used in that game, for that player.
(h) The Chief Umpire may recommend the disqualification, or
suspension, of any player, coach or team official from present or
future competitions.

19. Disagreements and Rulings: In case of dispute during a game at any

championship event through the National Championships, all matters
pertaining to interpretation of the Rules of Curling and event
procedures are adjudicated by an Umpire. In the event that there is an
appeal against an Umpire's decision during a game, the decision of the
Chief Umpire is final. If a rules decision or event procedures decision of
the Chief Umpire is appealed between games, the Chief Umpire is

74
directed to call one of the advisors selected by the USCA Chairman of
Competitions to discuss the issue, and the decision of the selected
advisor shall be final. During an event, issues involving penalties more
severe than a game expulsion will be appealed to a Board of Review,
and the decision of the Board of Review shall be final. Prior to or in
between events, any dispute will be resolved by the USCA Competitions
Committee.
All questions regarding eligibility rules shall be referred to the
Competitions Committee, except for on-track eligibility decisions.
A “Request for Ruling” form is located on the Championships page of
the USCA website at www.usacurl.org.
Grievance Process: see Athlete Grievance Section in the Player Coach
Agreement (posted online).

20. Page Play-off System: Team ranked 1st plays against the team
ranked 2nd. The winner advances to the final game, the loser goes to
the semifinal game. Team ranked 3rd plays against the team ranked
4th. The winner advances to the semifinal game, the loser is ranked
4th. The winner of the semifinal advances to the final, the loser is
ranked 3rd.

21. Modified Page Play-off system:

(a) If a team wins the round robin outright – definition: at least one
win ahead of any other team, then they will advance to the final. The
team ranked 2 will play the team ranked 3 in the semi-final. The semi-
final winner advances to the final; the loser is ranked 3rd.
(b) If 2 or 3 teams are tied for first place after the round robin, then
the team ranked 1st plays against the team ranked 2nd. The winner
advances to the final game, the loser goes to the semifinal game.
Team ranked 3rd plays against the loser of the 1v2 game in the semi-
final game. The winner of the semi-final advances to the final; the
loser is ranked 3rd.
(c) If 4 teams are tied for first place after the round robin, then the
teams are ranked, and 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 in the semi-finals. The semi-
final winners advance to the gold medal game. The semi-final losers
play in the bronze medal game.

75
(d) If more than 4 teams are tied for first place after the round robin,
tie-breaker games are played to reduce the field to 4 teams (see tie-
breaker chart for 4 qualifiers).

Tie-Break Chart for Three Qualifiers

Sessions
RANKING and # of
GAMES
games
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3
Q QX X X 3 v 4, winner is 3rd 1
Q X X X X 2 v 5 + 3 v 4; winners 2
ranked by head-to-head
and if necessary DSC in
the round robin
Q X X X X X 5 v 6, then winner v 2 + 3 1 2
v 4; winners ranked by
head-to-head and if
necessary DSC in the
round robin
Q X X X X X X 6 v 7, winner plays 2. 4 v 2 2
5, winner plays 3.
winners ranked by head
to head and if necessary
DSC in the round robin.
Q Q X X 3 v 4; winner is 3rd 1
Q Q X X X 4 v 5; winner plays 3 for 1 1
3rd place.
Q Q X X X X 3 v 6 and 4 v 5, winners 2 1
then play for 3rd place
Q Q X X X X X 6 v 7, winner plays 3. 4 v 1 2 1
5. Winners play for 3rd
place.

76
 Tie-Break Chart for Four Qualifiers
Sessions and
RANKING GAMES
# of games
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3
QX QX Q X X 4v5 1
X winner
+ QXs
ranked
by
head-
to-head
and if
necessa
ry DSC
in the
round
robin
QX QX X X X X 3v6+4 2
v5
winners
+ QXs
ranked
by head
to head
and if
necessa
ry by
DSC in
the
round
robin
QX X X X X X X 2v7+3 3
v6 +4
v5
winners
+ QX
ranked
by head
and if
necessa
ry by
DSC in
the
round
robin
X X X X X X X X 1v8+2 4
v7+3v

77
 Sessions and
RANKING GAMES
# of games
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3
6+4v5
winners
ranked
by head
and if
necessa
ry by
DSC in
the
round
robin
X X X X X X X X X 8v9 1 4
then
winner
plays v
1+2v7
+3v6+
4v5
winners
ranked
by head
to head
and if
necessa
ry by
DSC in
the
round
robin
Q QX Q X X 4v5 1
X winner
+ QXs
ranked
by head
to head
and if
necessa
ry by
DSC in
the
round
robin
Q QX X X X X 3v6+4 2
v5

78
 Sessions and
RANKING GAMES
# of games
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3
winners
+ QX
ranked
by head
to head
and if
necessa
ry by
DSC in
the
round
robin
Q X X X X X X 2v7+3 3
v6+4v
5
winners
ranked
by head
to head
and if
necessa
ry by
DSC in
the
round
robin
Q QX X X X X X X 5v8 2 2
then
winner
plays v
4, 6 v 7
then
winner
plays v
3,
winners
+ QX
ranked
by head
to head
and if
necessa
ry by
DSC in

79
 Sessions and
RANKING GAMES
# of games
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3
the
round
robin
Q X X X X X X X X 7v8 2 3
then
winner
plays v
2;6v9
then
winner
plays v
3 ; 4 v 5;
winners
ranked
by head
to head
and if
necessa
ry by
DSC in
the
round
robin
Q QX X X X X X X X X 3 v 10 4 2
and 6 v
7 then
winners
play; 4 v
9 and 5
v 8 then
winners
play;
winners
+ QX
ranked
by head
to head
and if
necessa
ry by
DSC in
the
round
robin

80
 Sessions and
RANKING GAMES
# of games
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3
Q Q Q X X 4 v 5; 1
X winner
+ QX
ranked
by head
to head
in the
round
robin
Q Q X X X X 3v6+4 2
v 5;
winners
ranked
by head
to head
in the
round
robin
Q Q X X X X X 6v7 2 1
then
winner
plays v
3; 4 v 5;
winners
ranked
by head
to head
in the
round
robin

Q Q X X X X X X 6v7 2 2
then
winner
plays v
3; 5 v 8
then
winner
plays v
4;
winners
ranked
by head
to head

81
 Sessions and
RANKING GAMES
# of games
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3
in the
round
robin
Q Q X X X X X X X 6v7 3 2
then
winner
plays v
3; 4 v 9
and 5 v
8 then
winners
play;
winners
ranked
by head
to head
in the
round
robin
Q Q X X X X X X X X 3 v 10 4 2
and 6 v
7 then
winners
play; 5 v
8 and 4
v 9 then
winners
play;
winners
ranked
by head
to head
in the
round
robin
Q Q Q X X 4 v 5 (Q 1
4th)
Q Q Q X X X 5v6 1
then
winner
plays v
4 (Q
4th)

82
 Sessions and
RANKING GAMES
# of games
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3
Q Q Q X X X X 4v7 2 1
and 5 v
6 then
winners
play (Q
4th)
Q Q Q X X X X X 7v8 1 2 1
then
the
winner
plays v
4; 5 v 6;
the 2
winners
play (Q
4th)
Q Q Q X X X X X X 7v8 2 2 1
then
the
winner
plays v
4; plus 6
v 9 then
the
winner
plays v
5; the 2
winners
play (Q
4th)
Q Q Q X X X X X X X 7v8 3 2 1
then
the
winner
plays v
4; plus 6
v 9 and
5 v 10
then
those
winners
play;
the 2
winners

83
 Sessions and
RANKING GAMES
# of games
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3
play (Q
4th)

Additional Information & References

USCA ATHLETE/COACH CODE OF CONDUCT AGREEMENT: The USCA
Player/Coach Code of Conduct Agreement is part of the online
registration system and can be found on the USCA website at
www.usacurl.org (see “Events > Championships > Rules > Code of
Conduct”).

USCA By-Laws:
A copy of the USCA By-laws can be found on the USCA website at
www.usacurl.org (see “About Us > Inside USA Curling > Governance >
Bylaws”), or may be requested from the USCA National Office, 5525
Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482; by telephone, 715-344-1199; or
by fax, 715-344-2279. The Athlete Grievance Procedure Bill of Rights,
USCA By-laws, Section 11A, the Administrative Grievance, Section 15.1
a (i), and the Opportunity to Participate Complaint, Section 15.1 a (ii)
can be found within the USCA By-laws. There is a $250 Grievance filing
fee (refunded to parties that end up with the final grievance decision in
their favor).

USCA Transgender Policy:

A copy of the USCA Transgender Participation in Curling Policy can be
found on the USCA website at www.usacurl.org
• Olympic Events: All events that lead to and include competitions
conducted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) must
follow the policies established by the IOC with respect to
transgender athletes.
(https://stillmed.olympic.org/Documents/Commissions_PDFfiles
/Medical_commission/2015-

84
 11_ioc_consensus_meeting_on_sex_reassignment_and_hyperan
drogenism-en.pdf)
• World Events, U.S. National Championships, and OOM Events: All
events that lead to and include world-level events conducted by
the World Curling Federation (WCF) must follow the policies
established by the WCF with Respect to transgender athletes.
These events include order of Merit events and U.S. National
championships. In the absence of WCF guidance, Athletes should
follow the IOC Guidelines on transgender athletes.
• Other USCA Competitive Events: USCA-sponsored events that do
not lead to world-level play must follow USCA policy with respect
to transgender athletes.

WCF World Team Ranking System:

The WCF World Team Ranking System is being adopted in 2019-20 by
international curling federations, including USA Curling, and will
replace the World Curling Tour (WCT) Order-of-Merit used in the past.
The points will be calculated using the same formula that was
employed by the World Curling Tour in past seasons, but the WCF
World Team Ranking System will be more inclusive and track points
from events on regional tours such as the Ontario Curling Tour, along
with international events that may not be associated with the WCT.

85
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Alternate: A registered, non-playing member of the team who is
eligible to substitute for one of the competing players.
Arithmetically Eliminated: The status of a team that has a combined
total of stones let to be delivered and/or remaining in play that is less
than the number needed to produce either a tie or a win.
Away End: The end of the sheet to which the first stone of a game is
delivered.
Back Board/Bumper: Material (e.g. foam or wood) placed at the end
(perimeter) of each sheet of ice.
Back House Weight: The speed given to a stone at delivery so that it
will just reach the back of the house.
Back Line: A line at the back of the house, extending across the width
of the sheet, which is parallel to and located 6 ft. from each tee line.
Back of the House: The area within the house that lies between the
tee line and the back line.
Biter: A stone that just touches the outer edge of the outside circle of
the house.
Blank End: An end resulting in no score for either team.
Bonspiel: A curling tournament or competition.
Brush (Broom): See definition: Sweeping Device.
Brush Head: The part of the brush that comes in contact with the ice
surface when sweeping.
Button: The small circle at the center of the house.
Burned Stone: A stone in motion touched by a player or any part of a
player’s equipment.
Center Line: The line dividing the playing surface down the middle. It
joins the midpoints of the tee lines and extends 12 ft. beyond the
center of each tee.
Circles: See House
Competition: Any number of teams playing games to determine a
winner.
Come Around: A shot that curls behind another stone.
Counter: Any stone in or touching the house and a counter is
considered a potential point.

86
Courtesy Line: A line indicating where the sweepers from the non-
delivering team are allowed to stand in order to ensure that an
Umpire can view the hog line and to prevent distraction of a delivering
player.
Curl: The curved path of a stone as it travels down the sheet of ice.
Debris: Any substance, including frost, snow or material originating
from brushes, shoes or clothing.
Delivering End: The end of the sheet from which stones are being
delivered.
Delivering Team: The team currently in control of the playing area and
is scheduled to deliver the next stone.
Delivery: The motion a player makes when playing a curling stone.
Delivery Stick: A device which attaches to the handle of the stone and
acts as an extension of the arm/hand during the delivery process.
Displaced Stone: A stationary stone that has been moved to a new
location.
Divider: Material (e.g. foam or wood) used to separate the sheets of
curling ice.
Double Takeout: A stone that removes two of the opponent’s stones
from play.
Draw: A stone which stops inside or in front of the house.
Draw Shot Challenge (DSC): The calculation made by taking the
average distance of the Last Stone Draws (LSD), excluding the least
favorable LSD, and used, if required, to assist in the determination of
ranking after a round robin.
Draw Weight: The momentum required for a delivered stone to reach
the house at the playing end.
Electronic Hog Line Device: A device that indicates if a stone was
released by a player before the stone reached the hog line at the
delivering end (sensor handle).
End: A portion of a curling game that is completed when each team
has thrown eight stones and/or the score has been decided.
Equipment: Anything that is worn or carried by a player.
Extra End: An additional end played to break a tie at the end of
regulation play.
External Force: An occurrence not caused by either team.

87
Free Guard Zone (FGZ):The area at the playing end, between the hog
line and the tee line but excluding the house.
Game: Two teams playing a specified number of ends to determine a
winner.
Hack: The foothold at each end of the ice which is used by a player to
start the delivery of a curling stone.
Hack Line: A small line (1 ft. 6 in.) parallel to the tee line, at each end
of the center line.
Hack Weight: The momentum required for a delivered stone to reach
the hack at the playing end.
Hammer: A term used to describe the stone which will be the last
stone delivered in that end.
Handle: The part of a curling stone that a player grips in order to
deliver.
Heavy: A stone delivered with a greater speed than necessary.
Hit: A take-out; removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it
with another stone.
Hit and Roll: A stone that knocks an opponent’s stone out of play and
then rolls to another position in play.
Hog Line: A line extending across the width of the sheet that is parallel
to and located 21 ft. from each tee line.
Hog Line Violation: A stone that is removed from play for the end,
because it was not released before it reached the hog line at the
delivering end.
Hogged Stone: A stone that is removed from play for the end, because
after being delivered, it did not come to rest completely beyond the
inside edge of the hog line at the playing end.
Home End: The end of the sheet from which the first stone of a game
is delivered.
House: The area within the concentric circles at each end of the sheet.
Hurry: A command which instructs players to sweep harder.
Ice Surface: The complete ice area that is within the perimeters of the
curling sheet.
In the Process of Delivery: The sequence of play that begins when the
delivering player is positioned in the hack and concludes when the
stone is released.

88
In-Turn: The rotation applied to the handle of a stone by a right
handed curler which causes the stone to rotate in a clockwise manner,
for left-handed curlers it is a counter-clockwise rotation.
Last Stone Draw (LSD): A contest conducted at the conclusion of a
team’s pre-game practice in which each team delivers a single stone to
the tee at the home end. The resulting distance is measured and used
to determine which team has the choice of delivering the first or
second stone in the first end.
Lead: The first player on a team to deliver two stones in each end.
Measuring Device: An instrument that determines which stone is
closer to the center of the house (tee); or whether a stone is in the
house.
Moving Stone: A stone in motion either from a delivery or from being
struck by another stone.
Original Position of a Stone: The location on the ice where a stone
rested prior to its being displaced.
Out-of-Play Position: The location of a stone that is not in play; e.g.
one which has touched a side line or crossed the back line.
Out-Turn: The rotation applied to the handle of a stone by a right
handed curler which causes the stone to rotate in a counter-clockwise
manner, for left-handed curlers it is a clockwise rotation.
Pebble: The water droplets applied to a sheet of ice before
commencing play. These droplets freeze, which then reduce the
friction between the ice and the stones.
Peel: A shot designed to remove a guard.
Playing End: The end of the sheet to which the stones are being
delivered.
Point: At the completion of an end, one point is awarded to a team for
each of its own stones, located in or touching the house that is closer
to the tee than any stone of the opposition.
Port: An opening or gap, between stones.
Positioned Stones: In Mixed Doubles games, the two stones that are
placed in designated positions prior to the start of each end.
Power Play: In Mixed Doubles games, the team that has the decision
on the placement of the “positioned” stones, can one time in a game

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place the stones in designated positions to the side of the sheet
instead of the designated center positions.
Round Robin: A competition in which each team plays all the other
teams in their group.
Score: The number of points received by a team in an end.
Scoring: A team scores one point for each of its stones within the
house and closer to the tee than any stone of the opposing team.
Second Player: The second curler on a team to deliver two stones in
each end.
Sheet: The specific ice surface upon which a curling game is played.
Shot Stone or Rock: At any time during an end, the stone closest to
the tee.
Side Line: A line placed at the side (perimeter) of each sheet of ice.
Skip: The player who directs play for the team.
Slider: Slippery material (often Teflon) placed on the sole of the sliding
shoe, which makes is easier to slide on the ice.
Spare: See Alternate.
Stationary stone: A stone in play which is not in motion.
Stone: A curling rock; a curling stone is made of granite and is utilized
by the players in a curling game.
Stone Set In Motion: A stationary stone hit by another stone which
causes it to move.
Sweeping: The back and forth movement of a broom or brush in the
path of a moving stone, to clean or polish the ice surface.
Sweeping Device: A device used by players to sweep/clean the ice.
Swingy Ice: The condition of the ice of stones causing the stones to
have excessive curl.
Takeout: Removal of a stone from the playing area by hitting it with
another stone.
Team: Four players competing together. A team may include a fifth
player (alternate) and a coach. Mixed Doubles teams consist of one
male and one female player.
Technical Time-Out: Stoppage of play called by a team or Umpire for a
ruling, injury, or other circumstances.
Tee: The exact center of the house.

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Tee Line: A line extending across the width of the sheet that passes
through the center of the house parallel to the hog line and backline.
Third Player: The third curler on a team to deliver two stones in each
end.
Tie-breaker: A game that is played to break a tied ranking at the end
of the round robin.
Top of the House: The area within the house that lies between the
hog line and the tee line.
Umpire: The person(s) responsible for the conduct of the game in
accordance with the rules.
Vice-Skip (Mate or Acting Skip): The player who directs play for the
team when it is the Skip's turn to deliver.
Weight: The amount of force or speed given to a stone during delivery.
Wheelchair Lines: Two lines that run from the hog line to the outermost
edge of the nearest circle of the house. Wheelchair curlers are allowed
to start their delivery with the stone placed between these lines.

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 2019-20 Championship Season Calendar
2020 Winter Youth Olympic Trials
Oct. 3-6, 2019, Golden, CO
2020 Mixed Doubles Challenge Round
Dec. 19-22, 2019, Portage, WI
2020 Men’s Challenge Round
Jan. 2-5, 2020, Grand Forks, ND
2020 Women’s Challenge Round
Jan. 3-5, 2020, Mapleton, MN
2020 Junior National Championships
Jan. 12-18, 2020, Eau Claire, WI
2020 National Championships
Feb. 8-15, 2020, Spokane, WA
2020 Mixed Doubles National Championship
Feb. 27-Mar.1,2020, Bemidji, MN
2020 Senior National Championships
Feb. 19-23, 2020, Fairbanks, AK
2020 College National Championship
March 13-15, 2020, Fargo, ND
2020 Club National Championships
Mar. 7-14, 2020, Laurel, MD
2020 U18 National Championships
Mar. 17-22, 2020, Wausau, WI
2020 Mixed National Championship
Mar. 28- Apr. 4. 2020, Chaska, MN
2020 Arena National Championships
Apr. 26 – May 2, 2020, Gillette, WY

Dates are subject to change. Please see

http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Curling for current updates and
regional playdown information.

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