The Games of Croquet

There are a number of mallet sports which come under the name of Croquet. They are classified as opposed target sports.

There are certain commonalities in mallet sports:
• games are played on a flat, level grassed surface, with hoops and a centre peg fixed according to the rules;
• the course is specified as to the number and order of hoops through which the player must strike the ball/s;
• sides alternate in playing, and during a turn, the in-player may strike with the mallet only the ball elected as the striker’s ball for that turn;
• a turn is initially one stroke, but depending on the specific game additional strokes may be earned, allowing balls to be manoeuvred to positions of advantage to the in-player and/or to the disadvantage of the opponent;
• while attempting to score points according to the rules, the player is, as well, trying to thwart the opponent’s opportunities to do the same in a subsequent turn.

Association Croquet is played in many countries world-wide. It is played between two sides on a grassed court measuring 35 yards by 28 yards, dressed with 6 hoops and a centre peg. One side plays the blue and black balls - the other, the red and yellow. If a second game is played on the same court (double banking), the green and brown balls play against the pink and white. Singles or Doubles can be played, and Handicap games are popular. The first side to achieve the maximum score of 26 points is the winner, though shorter courses of 18 or 14 points may also be played. Time-limited games encourage more competitive play.

Aussie Croquet is a modified game of Association Croquet adapted for schools. It is played (singles or doubles) for a maximum of 14 points, or half an hour, whichever comes first. Aussie Croquet is an ideal introduction to Association Croquet.

Ricochet is another variation of Association Croquet. It is becoming increasingly popular in Queensland, both with new players and with established Association Croquet players. Ricochet Venues

Golf Croquet is another international sport. Each turn consists of one stroke only. Once a hoop has been scored for one side, all players contest the next hoop. Golf Croquet Venues

Gateball, originating in Japan, is a speedy mallet sport, played between two teams of five players. The court is less than half the size required for croquet games, and is set with three gates (hoops) and a goal pole (centre peg). A game has a time limit of thirty minutes, unless one team earlier scores the maximum of 25 points. Gateball Venues

Garden Croquet is regarded as a recreational pursuit rather than as a sport. Available lawn areas are set with hoops, and ‘house rules’ usually apply

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