General Rules of Association Croquet

Association croquet is a form of the game of croquet that originated in England in the mid-19th century. It is played on a rectangular lawn with the use of wooden or composite mallets, balls, and wickets. The objective of the game is to hit a ball through a series of wickets and into a designated area called a “peg” or “stake.”

The first recorded game of croquet was played in Ireland in 1856, but the modern version of the game, known as association croquet, was developed in England in the 1870s. The game quickly gained popularity in England and spread to other parts of the world, including the United States and Australia.

Association croquet is governed by the World Croquet Federation (WCF) and is played at the recreational and competitive level. The WCF hosts international tournaments and championships, and croquet is also played in the Commonwealth Games as a demonstration sport.

Scoring

In association croquet, players score points by hitting their ball through a series of wickets and into the peg or stake. A game of association croquet consists of two phases: the “running” phase and the “pegging out” phase.

During the running phase, players score points by hitting their ball through wickets in a specific order. Each wicket is worth one point, and players can score additional points by hitting their ball through a wicket in a single stroke (called a “roquet”) and then hitting it again (called a “croquet stroke”). Players can also score additional points by hitting their ball through a wicket in a single stroke from a distance (called a “long roquet”).

During the pegging out phase, players score points by hitting their ball into the peg or stake. The first player to peg out all of their balls wins the game. The winner is the player with the most points at the end of the game.

In competitive play, association croquet games are typically played to a predetermined number of points. The player who reaches the predetermined number of points first wins the game.

Equipment in Association Croquet

The equipment used in association croquet includes:

• Mallets: Players use wooden or composite mallets to hit the ball. Mallets are typically between 3 and 3.5 feet long and have a round head with a striking surface made of wood, plastic, or composite material.
• Balls: Players use hard rubber or plastic balls in the game of croquet. Balls are typically around 3 inches in diameter and weigh around 1.5 pounds.
• Wickets: Small arch-shaped metal or plastic hoops set into the lawn, through which players must hit their balls. Wickets are typically around 4 inches in diameter and are set a specific distance apart on the lawn.
• Peg or stake: A metal or plastic pin driven into the ground, towards which players must hit their balls in order to score points. The peg is typically around 6 inches tall and is set at one end of the lawn.
• Lawn: The playing surface for croquet is a rectangular lawn made of grass or another suitable surface. Lawns are typically between 70 and 100 feet long and between 35 and 50 feet wide.
• Boundaries: The edges of the lawn are marked by painted lines or ropes to define the playing area.
• Hoop clips: Small clips used to mark the position of the wickets on the lawn.
• Measuring devices: Players may use a tape measure or other measuring devices to determine the distance between balls or to measure the distance of shots.
• Scorecards: Players may use scorecards to keep track of the score during the game.

Penalties

In association croquet, players may be penalized for various infractions or rule violations. These penalties can result in the loss of a turn or the loss of points. Here are a few examples of penalties that may be imposed in association croquet:

• Fault: A fault occurs when a player does not follow the rules of the game, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the ball before it comes to rest, or failing to hit the ball with the striking surface of the mallet. A fault results in the loss of a turn.
• Lost ball: If a player hits their ball out of bounds or loses it in a water hazard, they must replace the ball at a predetermined location and take a penalty stroke.
• Double tap: If a player hits the ball twice in a single stroke, they must take a penalty stroke.
• Touching the ball: Players are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands or feet except when picking it up to place it on the lawn. Touching the ball with any part of the body other than the mallet results in a penalty stroke.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct: Players may be penalized for behavior that is deemed unsportsmanlike or unsafe, such as disrespecting officials or fellow players, or engaging in rough play.

10 General Rules of Association Croquet

Here are ten general rules of association croquet:

1. Players must use approved equipment, including wooden or composite mallets, hard rubber or plastic balls, and metal or plastic wickets.
2. Players must follow the rules of the lawn, including rules related to safety, behavior, and the playing surface.
3. Players must follow the rules of the game, including rules related to the order of play, scoring, and fault strokes.
4. Players must respect officials and fellow players.
5. Players must not touch or interfere with the ball with their hands or feet except when picking it up to place it on the lawn.
6. Players must not hit the ball out of bounds or into a water hazard.
7. Players must not hit the ball before it comes to rest.
8. Players must hit the ball with the striking surface of the mallet, not the handle or the side of the mallet head.
9. Players must not engage in rough play or unsportsmanlike conduct.
10. Players must follow the rules of the competition, including rules related to the format of the game and the scoring system.

Association croquet is a form of the game of croquet that is played on a rectangular lawn with the use of wooden or composite mallets, balls, and wickets. The objective of the game is to hit a ball through a series of wickets and into a designated area called a “peg” or “stake.” In competitive play, association croquet games are typically played to a predetermined number of points, with the player who reaches the predetermined number of points first winning the game. Association croquet is governed by the World Croquet Federation (WCF) and is played at the recreational and competitive level. The WCF hosts international tournaments and championships, and croquet is also played in the Commonwealth Games as a demonstration sport.