Curling Rules

Curling rules are used during the Olympic competition of curling. This sport or competition involves sliding a stone disc across the ice curling sheet, similar to a shuffleboard movement. The curler is the person who follows the stone, shaving the ice in front of it, to help direct the movement. There are several curling rules that are most important to follow.

1. Sheet length. The ice curling sheet must be a very specific size according to curling regulations. The width of the sheet if 16.5 feet and the length is 150 feet. The ice is marked with lines to show curlers the house, which is the area where the stone disc is heading.
2. Curling Stone. The stone disc must also meet with regulatory standards. The total circumference of the stone cannot surpass 36 inches, and the height cannot be less than 4.5 inches. The weight of the stone is 44 pounds without exception. This ensures that each curler is working with the same weight and size, making the competition even.
3. Coin Toss. A coin toss is used as the deciding factor for which team delivers the stone disc first. After that, the curlers on each team will take turns. Once one team scores, they get another turn. Then, the rotation continues.
4. Sweeping. This is the action of the curlers. They sweep in a back and forth direction directly in front of the stone disc after it is released. The sweeps can be smaller than the width of the stone itself. Sweeping cannot occur until the stone is released.
5. Conduct. No matter what happens during the game, in curling, there is no tolerance for poor conduct or inappropriate behavior. This includes foul language, offensive gestures, misusing any equipment and harming members of the opposing team or your own. You are also not permitted to yell, gesture at or harm spectators, and the use of performance enhancing substances is strictly prohibited.