Team/Singles/Mixed Doubles Ladders

Ladder Coordinator: Brian Galebach

Description

The Team Ladder, Singles Ladder, and Mixed Doubles Ladder are season-long competitions intended for teams, singles (individuals), and mixed doubles (teams comprised of one man and one woman). The are three individual ladders, one for teams, one for singles, and one for mixed doubles. By winning and losing, teams move up and down their respective ladders, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. Teams, singles, and doubles can play when and whom they like. At the end of the season, the ladders' top teams, doubles, and individuals will face off in ladder-style playoffs to determine the ladder champions.

Ladder Entry

Teams, doubles, and singles may join the ladders at any point during the season. This ensures that all teams, regardless of when they get together or join, may participate. A new team, double, or single starts at the center rung of their respective ladder. While it is easier to reach the highest rungs by entering early, the ladders' dynamic ladder-movement system ensures that very strong teams will be able to reach the top even with a late start. A person may enter any or all of the three ladders. Also, a person may enter multiple doubles teams in the Mixed Doubles Ladder. To enter or find out more information, please contact the ladder coordinator, Brian Galebach.

Schedule/Matchups

The Ladders have no fixed time for games. Teams, doubles, and singles may play as often (or as infrequently) as they like. Ladder teams and doubles are encouraged to enter their teams into team-entry leagues (particularly the Saturday Afternoon League), where games against other Ladder teams and doubles will count toward Ladder standings. Teams, doubles, and singles may also schedule games for any other time during the week when ice is available.

Ladder Movement

The Ladders do not utilize a strict ranking, but rather a real (figurative) ladder with rungs. Teams may share a rung, and there can be gaps between teams (no teams on some rungs). Whenever a team wins a game, they move up at least one rung on their respective ladder. Beating an opponent currently higher up on their ladder means they'll move up multiple rungs. Likewise, losing moves a team/single down the ladder, and losing to a lower-rung opponent may move them down multiple rungs. This dynamic movement system ensures excitement for everyone right up to the end of the season.

WIN If opponent is: Move up ladder: on same or lower rung 1 rung 1-4 rungs higher 2 rungs 5-8 rungs higher 3 rungs 9-12 rungs higher 4 rungs 13-16 rungs higher 5 rungs etc. etc.

LOSS If opponent is: Move down ladder: on same or higher rung 1 rung 1-2 rungs lower 1 rung 3-6 rungs lower 2 rungs 7-10 rungs lower 3 rungs 11-14 rungs lower 4 rungs etc. etc.

Playoffs/Championship

At the conclusion of the curling season, the top four teams, doubles, and singles available to participate will qualify for a ladder-style, 3-vs.-4, 2-vs.-winner, 1.-vs-winner playoff. The winners of the final games in each of the team, doubles, and singles divisions will be declared the Ladder Champions.

Other Notes:

Singles Game Format
Because a singles game does not utilize ice as efficiently as team play (two players instead of eight), singles matches will be six ends of six stones each, but keeping the four-rock free guard zone rule. Also, there is no sweeping, and players are requested not to travel to the house to examine the positions of stones except before their final throw of the end. These rules will keep games moving and allow the scheduling of two singles matches within a two-hour time slot.

Mixed Doubles Format
Mixed Doubles is a new format introduced by the World Curling Federation. Starting in 2008, a Mixed Doubles World Championship will take place each year. It is currently planned that Mixed Doubles will be offered as an exhibition sport in the 2010 Winter Olympics, and as a full medal sport in the 2014 Winter Olympics. The format is somewhat unusual, and is explained at this link: Mixed Doubles Rules. Note that rules on sweeping are not yet specified, but it appears that sweeping is allowed by one or both players between the tee lines, and by one player at any time behind the tee line. Also, it appears mandatory that one player hold the broom prior to the start of a shot. A video of a Mixed Doubles demonstration is available here.

Team Spares
Same rules as the Capital League: One or two spares are allowed. Spares may play any position. Teams are responsible for arranging for spares. Teams may play with three.