As if the skip didn't have enough to worry about, Covid19 restrictions mean the skip is often responsible for the team following covid19 guidelines for curling.
All the team must have a face mask on entering andleaving the building. All stones and shared brushes must be sanitised before playing. The scorecard must have all the players names listed fo track and trace. Only one person is allowed in the house at any time. Only one sweeper is allowed to sweep a shot at a time. The other team member must wait at the side of the sheet. Team members must rotate around the sheet to avoid passing within 1 meter of any other player. For skip shots, third must be in the house and skip must be in front to decide the shot to be played. They cannot be together. Once the shot is decided the skip must return to the hack down the middle of the ice to avoid walking past anyone. To clear the house when finished two people either side of the sheet can push stones to the side. One person at each area for the stones can assemble them for the next end. No touching stone handles allowed. Before leaving, the scorecard must be checked to verify it is complete with names of all the players. A picture must be taken of the card and sent to the secretary and covid officer as a record of the game. At times it can feel like you are a traffic cop shouting at the team to direct them to comply with the guidelines. Never mind playing the game.
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Skips will stand at the back of the house when opponents are playing to watch over what happens. It is good to have the third there too when it comes to the skip playing their stones as they can discuss options before deciding the shot to play. However, no one else ought to be there.
Leads and seconds ought to stay to the side and return to the hack end to get ready for their turn to play. When stones are played into a house with stones lying it is important that the sweepers go all the way up the ice and anticipate any stones leaving the rink so that they stop it in time. This leaves the skip able to concentrate on getting the best result in the house without worrying about stones interrupting play on other sheets. It is not good to see skips sweeping stones while other stones leave the rink unattended. Accidents are possible and disrupted houses in adjacent rinks would also be unwelcome. I'm sure I would not be happy if a stone from another sheet hit any stones in play on my own sheet.
The sign on the wall at Perth Ice rink says it all. When you have played your shot, don't lean on the ice with your hand or knee as this actually melts the surface of the ice and spoils it for any stones going over it. So it could actually ruin your own shot never mind anyone elses. So please, DON'T lean on the ice watching your shot progress down the ice, get up and look at it on your feet to ensure everyone can enjoy the game.
So anyone with wet knees after playing a shot is not good news. Let them know to try and avoid it next time. It doesn't hurt to smile or even laugh while you are playing if you are enjoying it. It lifts everyone playing and makes for a better game. The Scottish Men's team at the Junior worlds in Korea had to be warned by the umpire to moderate their language as they failed to beat Korea. The commentators remarked that it is good to have a light hearted member in the squad to cheer everyone up as it is important to keep morale up. The Scots boys looked pretty dour as they made mistakes to lose the game instead.
So if your happy and you know it and you really want to show it.......SMILE :-) It really helps. |
Spare a thought for the skipThis is a place where the thoughts, trials, tribulations, celebrations and commiserations on being a skip (and no doubt comments on how to deal with a skip) will be posted as the season progresses along with any things Curling that may be of interest. Archives
March 2022
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