Eligibility

>>NOTE for 2022 5&U Event: If you were eligible for either the 2020 or the 2021 events that were canceled due to the pandemic, then you will be granted a 1-time extension to eligibility in difference to any established eligibility rules.

  • Members having curled more than (5) curling seasons shall not be eligible to compete except as they may meet the 2022 5&U Event one-time extension. See Note above. (Please don’t confuse ‘season’ with ‘how many years have I curled?’)
    • Interpretation:
      • The curling ‘season’ starts every May 1st and ends April 30th the following year.
        (this need not be ‘continuous’ seasons curling and includes ALL indiv. games, leagues and bonspiels within each May 1 to following year’s April 30 time period)
      • Ten (10) or more games anywhere/anytime during a ‘season’ constitutes 1 season of experience
      • Junior curling but not Youth Curling, curling experience counts towards the five (5) curling seasons.
    • Each participant is responsible for determining his/her eligibility and is on the ‘honor system’ for 2022 and shall be certified to the MoPac 5-Under Committee, using the registration entry form and past records.
  • Each member of the team must be in good standing and a current dues paying member of a club in MoPac.

Eligibility Example:

Curler ‘x’ started curling in January, 2017…and it is December, 2017. Curler ‘x’ may be assuming they haven’t curled even a ‘year’ yet….so, 1 year (or even 0) is written.

However, this needs to be broken down to ‘seasons’. In this case, May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017 and May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018. If Curler ‘x’ played 10 or more games between Jan 2017 and April 30, 2017…that counts for 1 ‘season’ experience. If they have played 10 or more games (or will play by the time of the 5-Under) between May 1, 2017 and this coming April 30, 2018…that will be 2 ‘seasons’ of experience that should be designated in the form.

It’s a bit confusing for us arena curlers that often curl all year long. It’s much easier for dedicated ice clubs that melt their ice in April every year and start up again in the fall…..to keep track of how many seasons they’ve been playing. For us, it’s entirely possible for a curler to have started in January of some year and stopped in July of that year and gained 2 seasons of experience. Again, feel free to ask questions if it’s unclear.

Note: In the past, every player has done their best to use this formula and apply it accurately. We have no problem working through this with any participant individually if there are any questions. In some cases, experience has been less or more than a person originally calc’d…but, mostly spot on. The committee has appreciated everyone’s efforts in taking the time to use the guidelines and apply them to their best of their ability for accurate reporting in the spirit of fairness to past, present and future participants…again, it’s been really appreciated!  Questions? Contact us at: 5U@mopacca.org

Game Play

  • All games will be 8 ends (max).
  • The team that has the least amount of ‘total years experienceʼ will have choice of the hammer or rock color in the first end. If teams are tied on yrs exp, a coin toss will be used to determine hammer or rock color.
  • No new end shall start after the 2:00 hour mark from the drawʼs start time.
  • All tie games after ‘final’ end is played will be determined by one draw to the button by each team, closest to the pin, will be the winner. Find a neutral third party to oversee. Throw rocks again if neither rock rests in the house.
  • The 2021-2022 USCA Rules of Curling will apply to all games (Rules available off ice) This includes the use of the 5-Rock Rule.
    Please measure your own rocks. If necessary, contact an official or neutral third party if you are unable to agree on a measure.
  • Please note that you may measure a free guard stone with the 6ʼ measure stick, if agreement cannot be reached on whether it is touching the house. No other stones can be measured until the completion of an end.
  • For assistance on rulings, officials will be any situationally neutral member of the 5 & Under committee or any member of the ice crew, if one is present. Please quickly seek out a neutral third party for assistance if none of the above individuals are available.
  • Any team not ready to play 1-15 minutes after the scheduled time shall be penalized one end and one point, and an additional end and point if the delay is between 15 and 30 minutes. Last stone advantage will be in favor of the non-offending team. 10. Weʼd like to ask that a member of the winning teams in each draw help the ice crew by sweep the hack and the sideboards.