Canada’s no-tick rule is being tested in British Columbia.
What is a Tick in Curling
The “no-tick” rule will be enforced in all WCF Competitions beginning with the 2002–23 season, as confirmed by the World Curling Federation on September 11, 2022.
The trial no-tick rule was adopted for the 2023 National Women’s Championships (Scotties) and 2023 National Men’s Championships by Curling Canada on October 14th, 2022. (Brier).
Given these changes, Curl BC has decided to implement the “no-tick” rule for its own 2023 BC Scotties Women’s Championship and 2023 BC Scotties Men’s Championship (these rules will be in place at both the open qualifier and the BC championship levels of these two events).
With the no-tick rule established at these championships, the best teams will always be playing by the same set of rules, no matter how high the stakes get.
Women’s and men’s competitive teams have begun practising with the “no-tick” regulations at BC Curling Tour tournaments in 2022-23.
The elimination of the last-rock advantage will make games more exciting and less predictable, and it will provide teams that are trailing or tied in the score an additional opportunity to win.
According to Will Sutton, the manager of competitions at Curl BC, the new rule “makes the finish of a game a lot more intriguing,” particularly if a team is tied or down by one point, because there is still a high potential that they can steal a point.
“It’s been fascinating to observe touring teams try out new tactics and interpretations of the regulation.”
The tick shot was employed before the sixth stone was delivered in an end and evolved after the free-guard zone was introduced.
Until this rule change, curlers could “tick” their opponents’ rocks left on the centre line without actually taking them out of play.
The new rules state that until the fifth rock of the end has been thrown, the other team is not allowed to touch any rocks left by one team touching the centre line in the free-guard zone.
In order to conform to the WCF’s position, Curl BC will begin discussing the possibility of implementing these rules across all competitive categories during the off-season.
Since this rule has not yet been implemented for Curling Canada’s national U18, U21, Club, Senior, Mixed, and Masters National Championships, Curling BC has not yet made this alignment.
Conclusion
No attempt was made to draught these regulations with the intention of having them used in recreational or club play.
When deciding on league-specific rules, Curl BC suggests that clubs stick with the 5-rock free guard zone.