The Rules and Regulations of Croquet
As used by Croquet Canada and the USCA
An Outline of the Game
How Play is Made
Play is made by striking a ball with a mallet. The player so playing is called the striker, and the ball that is struck, the striker ball. The striker may never hit an adversary ball with the mallet. By striking the striker ball the striker may cause it, or any other ball it hits to move and/or to score a point.
The Turn
The players play each turn in the order of blue,
red, black and yellow. A player is initially entitled to one shot in a turn, after which the turn ends unless the striker ball has scored a wicket point or hit another ball. When the wicket is scored, the striker is entitled to play one additional or continuation shot. When another ball (whether opponent's or partner's) is hit by the striker ball, the striker is said to have made a "roquet"
on that ball and the striker ball is entitled to two extra shots and becomes "dead" on that ball.
The first of these two shots is known as the "croquet"
shot, and is made after placing the striker ball in contact with the roqueted ball. The second shot is the continuation shot.
If, in the croquet shot, the croqueted ball is sent off the court or the striker ball is sent off the court without first having made another roquet, the turn ends.
During a turn, each ball the striker ball is "alive"
on may be roqueted once, and the striker ball may make another roquet on each ball provided that since last roqueted, the striker ball has scored a wicket point for itself and has thus cleared itself of its "deadness". Thus, by a series of shots,
roquets, croquets and continuation shots (after a croquet shot or scoring a wicket) it is possible to make many points during one turn.
Such a series is known as "making a break".
Strategy
Along with the objective of scoring the 26 points first, each side should employ offensive or defensive moves that restrict the progress of the opponents.
The primary "offensive" tactic is to use as many balls (both partner's and opponent's) as possible to set up what is called a 'break', then score as many wicket points in one turn as possible. By skillful placement of two or three other balls at forward wickets, a player can make all twelve wickets in one 'all round break' during the turn. This optimum feat in croquet is the equivalent of a grand slam home run or no hitter in baseball.
"Defensive" tactics include separating the opponents balls, thus forcing long shots to roquet other balls,
or knocking the opponent out of position to make its next wicket
(particularly when that ball is 'dead' on its partner's ball) .
An opponent who is 'dead' on two or three balls and can be kept that way has lost considerable advantage.
Defensive strategy frequently involves one sides balls joining at the boundary line away from their opponents (to avoid providing them an opportunity to develop a break for their side) . This move often baffles spectators, since it appears no one is attempting to make wickets. It is often the case of discretion being the better part of valor. All tactical decisions involve weighing the risk of each move (in terms of each player's ability)
against the reward if the move succeeds. To many, this is the essential challenge of croquet.
Croquet Customs & Court Etiquette
The following customs and court etiquette, while not warranting specific penalties, should be considered as helpful to the conduct and enjoyment of the game of croquet for everyone and as important as the rules of play. When a conflict exists with the rules, the rules shall prevail. Remember, croquet is a sport and as such should be enjoyed by all players as a sport played by gracious losers and winners.
Sportsmanship
USCA croquet is a game that should be played with good sportsmanship as the foremost attitude of how a player approaches the game. The paragraphs of this section help describe some of the ways which players should play the game and conduct themselves while playing the game. If a specific incident is not covered in this section, then the spirit of good sportsmanship should be considered in addressing the situation. Players should strive to play by the rules of the game and not try to circumvent the ethics and the morality of the rules of the game.
Dress Code
Croquet players customarily wear all white apparel on court. In all USCA titled events, such apparel is expected.
Any exceptions must be approved by the tournament chairman.
Courtesy to Players
Courtesy should be extended to one's opponent(s)
as well as to one's playing partner at all times. Players should respect each others' playing abilities and opinions, and treat an opponent or partner in the same fashion that they would expect and want to be treated themselves.
Presence on Court
In the interest of good sportsmanship, players should avoid any behavior that distracts a striker attempting a shot.
This conduct applies to the opponent, and in a double banked game to the players in the other game, especially when stepping onto the court to start a turn. Only the striker shall be on the court;
all other players shall remain outside the boundaries, except in doubles when a partner may come on the court momentarily to indicate a spot or help place a ball for a croquet shot. However,
the partner must leave the court immediately after the task is finished. Players should not be in the striker's line of sight,
cross through the line of aim, or make noises or sudden movements that break the striker's concentration.
This conduct is even more important during double banked games so that interference with the other game is avoided.
Courtesy towards the other game when double banking also involves allowing the player in a break to play through. If two players are approaching the same wicket and both are in a break, precedence should normally be given to the player more likely to get clear of the wicket first; except if a ball from the other game is in a critical position, then the game with the ball in a critical position should be allowed to play and the other game should take a double banking time out (if allowed for in the tournament instructions).
See Part 15 for further information concerning double banked games.
Interference with a Shot
A player must not interfere with any ball while a shot is in progress. All balls are in play until the shot is over and must
be allowed to completely cross the boundary or come to a complete stop before being touched by any player or equipment.
The only exception to this situation occurs when a roquet is made and the roqueted ball is definitely not going out of bounds. The striker ball may be stopped and given to the striker so that the croquet shot may be taken.
A player must not interfere with the boundary string during a shot. A player may either move, stand on, or have a partner stand on the string so that the striking of the striker ball is not interfered with. The four corner flags should be at least
4" outside the boundary string and may be temporarily removed so as not to interfere with the striker's stance or swing.
Spectators
Players should avoid listening to any audible comments from spectators about the game. A player may ask a spectator a question about a point of fact only if the opponent has given consent.
A player should not take advantage of any previously unnoticed error or omission to which his attention is drawn by the comments or attitude of the spectators.
Spectators should avoid distracting or having conversations with deadness board keepers or shot clock keepers. Board keepers and clock keepers are an important part of the game and concentration on their task is important to the integrity of the game. Their concentration is especially important in the last minutes of a game as the pressures of the game in progress can be greatly intensified.
Advice
No player is entitled to advice from anyone other than one's partner when playing doubles. It must be a matter of conscience how a player acts after receiving unsolicited information or advice. Warning a player who is about to run a wrong wicket or play the wrong ball constitutes advice.
In singles, a striker may not place an outside aid
(i.e. a coin or leaf) inside or outside of the court to assist in aiming. In doubles, a player may indicate a spot (i.e. by foot,
mallet or a finger) for the partner to shoot at, but must remove the aid before the shot is taken.
Replacing Balls & Placing Clips
All players should ensure that all balls are, as required, correctly:
(1) placed in bounds where they went out of bounds,
(2) placed on the nine inch line,
(3) replaced after a fault.
It is the responsibility of each player when scoring a point for any ball to remove the clip immediately and at the end of the turn place all clips moved on the correct wicket.
Calling Faults
The rules provide that a fault or misplay shall be called by any player as soon as it is observed (see rule 48 a) .
This includes the striker calling any fault committed, regardless of adverse consequences to the striker's game. During a game,
the players are the referees unless a third party (preferably a currently certified referee) is called to watch a questionable shot, and therefore have an obligation to the game and the opponent to call any fault that he/she commits.
Questionable Shot
If a striker is about to attempt a shot, of which either the legality is in doubt, or the result may not be clearly apparent (i.e. a possible fault, or when aiming at a ball in or near a wicket) , the striker should call a referee to watch the shot. If the striker does not call the referee, the opponent may request the referee watch the shot (see rule 56 a).
When Players' Opinions Differ
When players' opinions differ about ball replacement after a ball has been moved, the player who caused the ball to move replaces the ball but defers to the opponent as to the exact position. When the question is whether a roquet was made on a ball, or whether the roqueted ball moved on the croquet shot,
the opponent defers to the opinion of the striker. If there are any reliable witnesses, the players may consult them in order to resolve the differences; but only if both teams agree to do so.
Referees
Players should avoid verbal confrontations with each other by expressing their legitimate concerns to the referee.
The USCA has a program to certify players as referees and a certified referee should be called to watch questionable shots, where faults may occur or to resolve disputes over the rules (see Part 13). A referee is called by raising the mallet above the head or, if necessary by calling out "referee"!
If an opponent believes a striker is making repeated faults such as "pushing" or "double tapping"
or failing to move the roqueted ball in a croquet shot, the referee may be summoned to watch subsequent shots (see rule 53 b).
Whatever the rules provide, it is a matter of conscience how a player uses the referee. It is not good sportsmanship to harass an opponent's concentration with an unnecessary call for the referee to watch a shot.
A striker should call a referee to watch the stake to confirm a rover's attempt to hit the stake if the distance of the shot requires a referee.
A referee may appoint an individual to serve as an umpire, whose powers are confined to the following: to decide whether
(1) a ball hits another ball,
(2) a ball is moved or shaken on the croquet shot,
(3) a rover ball hits the stake.
Conclusion of the Game
The winner of a game is responsible for removing the balls and clips from the court at the end of the game. This should be done expeditiously especially during a double banked game. When double banking, players should get off the court quickly so as not to interfere with the other game. All players should shake hands with the opponents and thank the time and board keepers.
Detrimental Behavior
Courtesy and good sportsmanship are expected of all players and officials at all times.
Players are under an obligation to avoid acts that may be considered detrimental to the game of croquet. For example,
players should not:
(1) audibly swear at a player, official or spectator,
(2) use obscene, abusive or insulting language or gestures,
(3) throw a mallet or hit a ball in protest or anger.
Any spectator or player who abuses an official or player, or interferes with the game will be warned and directed by the Tournament Director to desist. If the abuse or interference continues, the person may be directed to leave the tournament area. In a case of flagrant abuse, the directive to leave may be given without a warning. Any such instance should be reported to the USCA Grievance Committee.
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