WCF Rule Questionnaire

The WCF Board will be studying the Rule Book to see if there are any changes which would enhance and improve the game for players, administrators, spectators and the media. Changes would only be implemented after the 2013/14 curling season. Some areas to consider include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Length of the game Game Timing Playoff system Free guard zone Tie-break games Time-outs Mixed Doubles Other

In order to get a broad perspective on these topics, this questionnaire will be available to stakeholders such as: players, coaches, media, umpires, administrators, ice technicians and general curling fans. It would be appreciated if you would take a few minutes to fill in this questionnaire. I belong to the following group(s): Competitive Player Player other Curling Fan Coach Media TV Administrator Media -

Ice Technician Umpire

1. A curling game (10 ends) normally takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. What is your view on the length of the game and time required? Keep the current number of ends. Why?

Change. Why, and what changes would you suggest to shorten the game/time?

Other suggestions. 1

2. Game Timing - two timing systems are in common use. Which timing system do you think is fairer and why? Or is there another system that could be used to time the game? Keep current system of Playing time. (Used at WCF events a teams time clock runs when they are planning their shots, delivering, and also when their stone is moving down the ice; clock is switched to the other team when the shot is finished; one teams clock, or the other teams clock, is running during the entire end.)

Change to Thinking time. (Used at the Grand Slam events a time clock is only running when players are thinking about strategy and planning their shots, both clocks are stopped when a stone is moving down the ice.)

Other suggestions.

3. At WCF World Curling Championships the Page playoff system (1 v 2 winner to final and loser to semi-final; 3 v 4 winner to semi-final and loser to Bronze Medal game; winner of semi-final to final and loser to Bronze Medal game) is used; whereas at the Olympic games the semi-final / final playoff system (1 v 4 and 2 v 3) is in place. What playoff system should be used for the WCCs, and why? Keep current Page playoff system.

Change to Semi-Final / Final playoff system.

 Other suggestions.

4. The game of curling has improved in many areas, i.e. athletes skill, ice conditions, equipment, etc. In the past, the rules have changed to keep pace with the skills of the athletes (e.g. - the introduction of the Free Guard Zone in 1992). Has our sport become too predictable, and are there rule changes that would make it more interesting and exciting? Keep the current general rules.

Change - its too predictable. Suggest the following changes be made.

5. Tie-breakers Currently the WCF operates on the principle that a team tied for a place in the playoffs must lose a game to be eliminated from a Championship. This means if teams are tied on win/loss record then tie-breaker games are played. The options are to keep tie-breakers so that the result of any tie is resolved on the ice, or remove them and avoid the requirement for setting aside time for games that may not happen, which allows a schedule to be set for all games before the event starts. Keep current system of tie-breakers. Why?

Change. Eliminate the tie-breaker games and use the current Ranking System in the WCF rule book (who-beat-who, the Draw Shot Challenge etc.,). Reason?

 Change. Eliminate the tie-breaker games and use another system to break the tie. Reason and suggested system?

6. Time-outs keep them or eliminate them? Keep time-outs. Why?

Eliminate time-outs. Why?

Other suggestions. (e.g. time-outs for juniors only, etc.).

7.

Mixed Doubles suggestions for changes. Keep current system. Why?

Change. Suggestions and why?

8. Any other rule suggestions on any topic

(e.g - Last Stone in the 1st end continue with the current Last Stone Draw system, or is there a better way?

Equipment should the crutch be allowed; restrictions on stop-watches; restrictions on brush heads; is the delivery stick (excluding wheelchair curling) having an adverse effect on the sport ? Blank Ends a second consecutive blank means the team loses the last stone advantage or blanking means losing the last stone advantage except in the last 3 ends; etc.)

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this questionnaire. Your input is very important to us. Please send the completed questionnaire back before Friday 04 September to: info@worldcurling.org or by Fax: +44 1738 451 641 Optional information: First Name: _____________________ Last Name: __________________________

E-Mail Address: _________________________________________________________