Why play croquet?
Croquet relies on touch, accuracy and tactics rather than speed and strength, so it’s playable by anyone of any age on equal terms. There are several different forms of croquet, but the two main ones played in the UK are Association Croquet and Golf Croquet. The two games use the same equipment, and are are played on the same size lawns with same layout of hops and peg. Golf Croquet is a game of accurate ball placement and straight hitting, so has much in common with golf. Association Croquet requires the building of breaks, and so is similar to snooker. Both games reward strategic planning and clever tactics, and both have a handicap system that allows players of all standards to compete with each other on an equal footing. Many people enjoy playing both forms of the game as the skills learned in one form may be applied to the other. Both forms of the game may be played as singles or as doubles.
Association Croquet
In Association Croquet two sides (Blue/Black vs. Red/Yellow) compete to be the first to have both of their balls run through all 12 hoops and hit the central peg. Players earn a point for every hoop they run and one for hitting the centre peg at the end of its run. Within a break, players gain extra shots either by running a hoop or by hitting another ball. Running a hoop gives the player a further “Continuation” shot. Hitting another ball (an action known as a “Roquet”) allows the player to perform the “Croquet” shot: lifting their ball and placing it against the ball they have just hit, then striking their ball to move both balls to new positions on the lawn. The player can then continue their break with a “Continuation” shot. These extra shots are used to score multiple points and/or set up advantageous positions for future turns.
Watch the video (made by John Hutchinson) to see how the different shots are used to build a break.
Golf Croquet
The game is played with four balls, Blue and Black versus Red and Yellow. Unlike Association Croquet, each turn consists of just one shot, and play is strictly in sequence: Blue, then Red, then Black, then Yellow and Blue again.
All four balls attempt to get through Hoop 1. As soon as one ball is successful, that side scores a point, and play moves to the next hoop in sequence. The first side to seven points wins.
Hitting the opponent’s ball to knock it out of position is legal. Players will often clear an opponent’s ball 30 yards, in the hope of keeping it out of range. Tactical complexity arises out of blocking shots, and putting the other players out of position, while putting your partner into a better scoring opportunity.
Watch the video here (made by Wood Mallets of New Zealand) for a quick introduction to Golf Croquet.
