UofR Curling Club: 4 Rock Rule

The Rule

• It is illegal to remove an oponent's stone from the FGZ until the 5th rock of the end.
• The option for the non-offending team to let the play stand is available. You can remove your own stone from the FGZ.
  • Running back your own is legal
  • Wrecking on your own and removing it from play is legal

Where is the FGZ

• The Free Guard Zone (FGZ) extends from the hog line to the tee line not including the house.

Applying the Rule

• If an opponent's rock in the FGZ is removed prior to the 5th rock of the end, the non-offending team may:
  • Allow the play to stand
  • Remove the delivered stone and replace all stones
• If you hit an opponent's stone in the FGZ and remove a stone not in the FGZ, the play stands unless the FGZ rock is removed from play, in which case the option can apply or remove delivered stone and replace the displaced stones.
• If you intentionally hit an opponent's stone not in the FGZ and remove a stone in the FGZ, apply the option or remove the shooter, replace the FGZ stone and the stone initially contacted remains where it came to rest.
• If the delivered stone simultaneously hits a stone eligible to be removed and an opponent's stone in the FGZ, the rule applies as if the rock not in the FGZ was hit initially. If there is a disagreement, the delivering team is given the benefit of the doubt.

The Differences

• Team without hammer gets an extra guard before peeling.
• You can run back your own guard without penalty.
• Shot tolerances on come around takeouts by the lead changes.

• Some teams may give up the hammer and take a single point rather than blank. As a result they gain momentum and have the advantage of throwing two guards plus a draw before the opponent can begin peeling.
• Time issues - may take longer to play with more rocks in play. Decide how to do a brief end recap and/or a next end plan as a team.

Adapting: 3 Rock to 4 Rock

• Expect to have even more rocks in play.
• Develop some power-hit weight if possible.
• The 4-rock rule is difficult to play if you throw mostly control, bumper, and hack weight shots.
• Shots that have the effect of controlling the scoring zone will allow you to play lower risk offense, while forcing the other team to play somewhat defensively at times when they would in fact, prefer to play offense.
• How much will you invest in corner guards and where will you position them?