Steve Laycock uses Canadian rules to bring out the biter bar during end to measure at the back line

Original broadcast: • Niklas Edin vs. Steve ...
Niklas Edin vs. Steve Laycock - Draw 4 - Nutrien Ag Solutions Western Showdown
Curling Canada Rules for General Play (2022-2026):
"A skip may conduct a measurement when a stone is located on the back line in proximity to the centre line to confirm if the stone is in or out of play. The 6-foot measuring stick shall be used. If the position of a stone(s) in the house makes it impossible to use the measuring stick to determine if a stone is in or out of play and the opposing skips cannot agree, they may request a non-partisan third party to render a decision."
WCF Technical Officials Manual (2020):
"During an end, any stone at the back line can only be measured with the block. The biter stick cannot be used."

[@liamgoldbeck]

Awesome that you're posting again! Love the content!

[@timschols4834]

This seems to be one of those instances where the WCF rules are actually better than the Curling Canada rules.
While the rule mentions measuring for in or out of play, the measure gives the teams different information: it tells you whether the rock is in the house or not. Worse, a rock that isn't perfectly on the center line can still be in play without the 6-foot measuring device touching it. By allowing this measurement method, Curling Canada basically says that the back line follows the house contours for rocks near the center line.
WCF's use of a set square (block as per the quoted technical officials manual) is actually a fairer approach, as it solves the question of whether it's in play without telling teams whether it's in a potential scoring position. This keeps the observation in line with WCF rule R2.(i) and Curling Canada rule 14.(3), removing the need for the exception under 14.(5).
Given this event took place in Canada, it makes sense to follow the Canadian rules as currently written though, so well done to Niklas to be aware of that nuance.

[@893160007]

Did Laycock sweep the rock at all? If he did it was just one brush stroke. He definitely put his broom down, but it is hard to say if he had it on the ice or not. I ask because it would have been an rules violation of two teammates sweeping behind the tee line. If it happened did it make a difference between the rock being in or out of play? If so what would the rulebook dictates should happen?
And for what its worth I think what transpired was fine and within the "spirit of curling", I am just curious about what technicalities could result in.

[@Tantakugames]

if he did the running surface of the rock didnt even reach the point that he touched, so nobody *should* be complaining about it