tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2756899534609502905.post5553747285676327357..comments2012-08-14T19:42:35.363-07:00Comments on Wheelchair Curling Blog: Wheelchair curling? Let's scrap it and start over..http://www.blogger.com/profile/16977271452654335000noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2756899534609502905.post-75027919408940864332010-09-04T11:50:43.360-07:002010-09-04T11:50:43.360-07:00As I was in a rush when I posted my comments, I ob...As I was in a rush when I posted my comments, I obviously clicked the wrong "button" and what shows up as anonymous was actually me saying there may be room for both "formats". <br />On further deliberation I still feel there might be room for both but I would not go beyond club play and some spiels with the 2 on 2. If u go to more official competitions such as provincials, nationals and so on I see some "technical logistics" with the 2 on 2.... what is the gender mix ???? what gender is the alternate or do u have to carry two alternates....one of each gender. <br />We whine about the 4/5 person selection method for a Team Canada, can u imagine the uproar when u effectively cut that selection process number in half.....<br />I would like to see some actual, relatively long term stats on exactly how long it takes to play a 2 on 2 game of 8 ends throwing all eight rocks, throwing only six rocks and the same type of stats playing 6 ends. I also beleive the time will vary depending on whether the two players stay at their respective ends and throw all 8 or 6 rocks or whether they split the throwing up and move up and down the ice.....<br />An interesting topic but all input shud be solicited and then well thought through prior to "jumping"Bruce Cameronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2756899534609502905.post-65739051300221180702010-09-02T10:38:40.482-07:002010-09-02T10:38:40.482-07:00You actually may have hit on something. How about...You actually may have hit on something. How about a domestic program that is two person, and feeds into the international, more traditional program?<br /><br />Domestically, players will get double the amount of rocks thrown, improving their learning curve, and they will not get as bored as front ends are today.<br /><br />I don't know how Sonja spends her time on the iceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2756899534609502905.post-65662970615968251102010-09-02T09:31:26.152-07:002010-09-02T09:31:26.152-07:00I beleive there is room for both 4 person traditio...I beleive there is room for both 4 person traditional teams as well as the 2 on 2 format. I previously curled for 48 years as an able bodied traditional type of curler so that is why I am still partial to the 4 person team and somewhat of a traditionalit. In wheelchair curling I also skip so I do not endure the lengthy periods of inactivity between throwing rocks. I have never heard anyone on my team complain about that. <br />There also is nothing wrong with 2 on 2 type of play. There are many variations of how that could be played. I beleive there is a Mixed World Championship that uses that format with options of who throws first on the team and how the stones are pre-positioned. If wheelchair curling was to adopt a 2 on 2 format I would suggest it use the same rules that are used at the World Mixed 2 on 2 with of course no sweeping in the wheelchair format.<br />At our club's weekly curling, if a team is short we just adapt accordingly and sometimes it may be 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 and so on. It never creates any problems. Depending on the experience of the 2 on 2 teams they may or may not change ends. <br />I will be the first to admit I am waffling on this topic (must be the influence of living in Ottawa and listening to politicans). I can see using 2 on 2 in club weekly curling but I would still like to see the provincials, nationals and worlds remain 4 person teams.<br />2 on 2 at the club level wud require more ice for the same number of curlers at the same time slot but would develop curlers faster as they would throw more rocks, at least in theory.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2756899534609502905.post-33300803146822227162010-09-01T15:17:15.369-07:002010-09-01T15:17:15.369-07:00Having a more seasoned skip in doubles would allow...Having a more seasoned skip in doubles would allow for more competritive teams with a skip throwing the final four.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2756899534609502905.post-47589924783194607942010-09-01T13:13:45.469-07:002010-09-01T13:13:45.469-07:00Interesting points. To be fair, those who believe ...Interesting points. To be fair, those who believe the sport should be reserved for wheelchair users have more than "crip mentality" behind their arguments, though personally I would remove all physical eligibility rules.<br /><br />I like the idea of each team member remaining at their respective end of the sheet throughout the match. It quickens play and makes players throw in all situations. I'd go further and prohibit the thrower from crossing the point of delivery, and forbidding the skip to come closer to the thrower than the hogline. <br /><br />What do others think?.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16977271452654335000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2756899534609502905.post-75811861714330638682010-09-01T12:02:16.450-07:002010-09-01T12:02:16.450-07:00I do agree that two person play is the answer. I ...I do agree that two person play is the answer. I would suggest 8 ends, 8 rocks, and a player that throws the first 4 rocks, and a skip that throws the last 4. Cutting the number of rocks MAY take the game too far from its able-bodied roots. The games would go much faster, more entertainment for players and fans, and improved performance at the competitive end.<br /><br />Further, it would immediately double the amount of teams to allow for larger events, without causing any further problems of dealing with more wheelies.<br /><br />As for eligibility, I think this has been a non-starter. I simply do not see any particular advantage if Kevin Martin sat in a wheelchair and played.<br /><br />Lety's not get caught up in the Crip mentality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2756899534609502905.post-56635541883336802142010-08-30T13:24:19.941-07:002010-08-30T13:24:19.941-07:00Eric,
A very well-organized, thoughtful opinion....Eric, <br /><br />A very well-organized, thoughtful opinion. I'm certainly not about to tell wheelchair curlers what game they should play but I have long thought that a fairly direct translation of the sport — minus sweeping — might not be the only way to go. <br /><br />Sometimes people forget that all sports evolve — basketball had baskets instead of nets, rugby led to a version of American football, curling bears little resemblance to the game played on frozen lochs. <br /><br />I'll do what I can to spark some more conversation.Dean Gemmellhttp://www.thecurlingshow.comnoreply@blogger.com