June 16-18, 2011, saw the Canadian Curling Association host its Annual General Meeting in Ottawa. Among the various resolutions passed during the meeting, one in particular affects the Rules of Curling for Officiated Play that had been changed for the 2010 season, much to many curlers’ puzzlement: and that pertains to the changes made to timeouts during officiated games. Timeouts have again changed for the 2011-2012 season in Canada:
In 2010, the CCA adjusted its game timing structure to remove coaching time outs from the time allocation at national events. Following a season of implementation, it was decided to make a change to 71 minutes of game playing time (from 73 minutes). During the course of a 10-end game, each team will be able to call two, 90-second time outs (including travel time), during which time the coach will be able to access their teams. The change of game playing time will be applicable at the Mixed, Seniors, Men’s and Women’s National Championships as well as the other televised Season of Champions events with the exception of World Championships operated in Canada.
However, the World Curling Federation rule that uses the “coach’s visit” continues through the 2011-2012 season.