United States Croquet Association — Rules Figure 1: Court Setup The Court A backyard croquet court doesn't have to be a perfectly manicured lawn, but short grass provides the best playing surface. If you have room, the official full-size court is a rectangle, 100 feet long by 50 feet wide. For backyard play you can adjust the size and shape of the court to fit the available space. Use string or chalk to mark definite boundaries if you choose, or just mark the corners with flags or stakes. The Wickets and Stakes The nine wickets and two stakes are arranged in a double-diamond pattern as shown in the diagram. If you are playing on a smaller court, the distances shown should be scaled down in proportion to the length and width of the court. The wickets should be firmly planted in the ground, and the width of the wickets should be uniform throughout the court. The Balls For a two- or four-player, two-sided game, you need four balls. The colors usually used are blue, red, black, and yellow. One side (with one or two players) plays with blue and black, and the other with red and yellow. For a six-player team game, you need six balls.

In team play, one side plays blue, black, and green, and the other side plays red, yellow, and orange. In "one-ball" games, you need one ball per player. The Mallets Each player uses a mallet. Only the striking (end) face may be used to strike a ball, unless the players have agreed to allow the use of "side" shots or other shot-making variations. Optional Accessories You can use colored clips or clothespins to mark the next wicket your ball must go through. The clip is picked up when a wicket is scored, then placed on the ball's next wicket at the end of the turn. You can use string or "chalk" to mark boundaries of the court, or just designate "off the grass" as a boundary. Object of the game The object of the game is to advance your ball through the course scoring points for each wicket and stake in the correct order and direction. The winner is the first side to score 14 wicket points and 2 stake points for each of its balls. In a timed game if the time expires, the team with the most points at the end of the time period wins.

The players take turns, and only one plays at a time. At the beginning of a turn the player (called the "striker") has one shot. After that shot the turn ends, unless a bonus shot is earned by scoring a wicket or stake or by hitting another ball. The turn ends when the player has no more bonus shots to play or has finished the course by scoring the finishing stake. The striker may directly hit with the mallet only the ball he or she is playing in that turn (the "striker ball"). A has not started to score the wicket. B has started to score the wicket. C has not scored the wicket. D has scored the wicket. Scoring Wicket and Stake Points Each ball can score wicket and stake points for its side only by going through a wicket or hitting a stake in the proper order and direction. Going through a wicket out of order or in the wrong direction is not counted as a point gained or lost. A ball caused to score its wicket or stake during another ball’s turn earns the point for its side, but no bonus shot is earned as a result.

A ball scores a wicket point only if it comes to rest clear of the playing side of the wicket. If a ball passes through a wicket but rolls back, it has not scored the wicket. If a ball travels backwards through its wicket to get position, it must be clear of the non-playing side to then score the wicket in the correct direction. Because wickets can be loose in the ground, it’s best not to run the side if the mallet head up or down either plane of the wicket. It’s always better to use your judgement sighting by eye. Bonus shots The striker earns one bonus shot if the striker ball scores a wicket or hits the turning stake. The striker earns two bonus shots if the striker ball hits another ball (a "roquet"). You are “dead” on a ball for extra shots until you clear your next wicket or on the start of your next turn whichever comes first. Â However, the maximum number of bonus shots earned by a striker is two; there is never a time when a striker is allowed three shots.

(See the "Exceptions" section below for examples.) If two bonus shots are scored by striking another ball, the first of these two shots may be taken in any of four ways: From a mallet-head distance or less away from the ball that was hit ("taking a mallet-head"). From a position in contact with the ball that was hit, with the striker ball held steady by the striker's foot or hand (a "foot shot" or "hand shot"). From a position in contact with the ball that was hit, with the striker ball not held by foot or hand (a "croquet shot"). From where the striker ball stopped after the roquet. (If a boundary is in use and the striker ball went out of bounds, the ball should be measured in one mallet length from where it crossed the boundary). The second bonus shot after a roquet is an ordinary shot played from where the striker ball came to rest, called a "continuation shot". Bonus shots may not be accumulated. Upon earning a bonus shot by scoring a wicket, hitting the turning stake, or roqueting another ball, any bonus shot previously earned is forfeited.

For example, if a ball roquets a ball and in that same stroke the striker ball hits another ball, the second ball hit is not a roquet and remains where it comes to rest (with no deadness incurred on that ball). EXCEPTIONS: Two extra shots are earned when the striker ball scores two wickets in one shot. If the ball also hits the turning stake after scoring two wickets, two strokes are earned, not three. Conversely, if the striker ball scores the seventh wicket and hits the turning stake in the same shot, it earns two shots. After the striker ball roquets another ball, it does not earn any extra shots for hitting it again in the same turn before scoring the next wicket in order. However, there is no penalty for hitting the ball again. Wicket and Roquet When the striker ball scores a wicket and then in the same shot hits another ball, only the wicket counts and the striker has earned only the one extra shot for scoring the wicket. The striker may then roquet any ball to earn two extra shots.

When the striker ball roquets another ball and then goes through a wicket, the wicket has not been scored but the striker earns two extra shots for the roquet. The Boundaries If boundaries are established, whenever more than half of a ball (50%+) crosses the inside edge of a boundary, it is “Out of Bounds” and should be brought inbounds and placed one mallet length (or 36 inches) into the court. If players are using mallets of different lengths, agree to a common distance you'll measure in during the game. The ball should be placed 90 degrees inbounds and perpendicular to the line and not diagonally from the line. (Exception: When the striker ball has just roqueted (hit) another ball, the striker may choose to place it in contact with or up to a mallet-head from the ball that was roqueted.) All balls are also immediately brought in a mallet length from the boundary when they are less than that distance from the boundary, except for the striker's ball when the striker has an extra shot.

If more than one ball crosses the boundary on the same spot, the striker may measure any ball inbounds first and then place the other(s) up to a mallet-head's length away from it on either side. Rover Balls After a ball scores all of the wickets in the course, its player may choose to keep it in the game as a "rover" to help advance that side's remaining ball(s) and to prevent the opposing side from advancing. During this ball's turn, it may hit any other ball only once per turn, gaining extra shots accordingly, but it does not earn any extra shots or wicket points for running a wicket. Any player may put a rover out of the game by causing it to hit the finishing stake. The rover's side earns the point for the stake, and the order of play continues without the staked-out ball. Time Limited Game If time does not permit a game to be played to the stake, a time limit may be set beforehand. A kitchen timer works well to alert players to the end of the time limit. When the time limit is reached the game is over. Â This is known as "sudden stop".

If the score is tied in the "sudden stop" format, the ball closest to its contested wicket gets an extra point for the win. Challenging Optional Rules All players in the game must consent to these optional rules before the start of the game. Any combination of options (none to all) may be chosen. National or American Croquet Options Option 1. Using Deadness. Deadness occurs after a roquet is made and the striker is unable to score his/her wicket. The consequences are that the striker is not allowed to roquet the ball(s) again until scoring the wicket. Once the wicket is scored, the striker becomes 'alive' and is able to roquet the ball(s) again. If a striker roquets a ball he/she is dead on, all balls are replaced to their positions before the shot, and the turn is over. Deadness carries over from turn to turn. Option 1a. Special relief of deadness. A side may clear one of its balls of deadness when the opponent makes the first wicket after the turning stake (the 8th wicket) so long as that side is behind in points (not tied) at the end of the opponent’s turn.

Option 1b. Clearing Deadness. A side may clear one of its balls of deadness when the opponent makes the first wicket after the turning stake (the 8th wicket) regardless of score at the end of the opponent’s turn. Option 2. Out of Bounds Play. A) A ball is considered out-of-bounds if it is more than halfway over the boundary line which is considered to be the inside edge of the boundary marking. If a striker sends any ball(s) out-of-bounds as the result of their shot, all balls shall be measured in 9” from the spot where they crossed the boundary line and the turn ends. The only exceptions to this are when the striker’s ball crosses the boundary line as the result of a roquet (where it is then lifted and placed either in contact or up to 9” from the roqueted ball) or a striker ball directly hits (not a cannon) any other ball out of bounds after it has roqueted a ball (any such ball is marked in and the striker takes croquet from the roqueted ball).

Additionally, any ball coming to rest within 9” of the boundary shall be marked in 9” prior to the next shot unless it is the striker ball and it has any remaining shots. Any balls within the 9” at the end of a turn shall be marked in 9” inches. A mallet head is normally 9” in length. Longer heads should have a 9” mark on it for the placing of balls. B) If Option 1 is in effect and the striker roquets a ball out-of-bounds, the turn is over and the out-of-bounds ball is marked in 9". However, no deadness is incurred. Option 3. Starting Deadness. May be used in conjunction with Option 1 regarding deadness.Â No extra shots are earned by hitting another ball until both the striker ball and the ball to be roqueted have cleared a designated wicket(typically #1, #2, or #3).Â A ball “not in the game” may have a ball(s) “in the game” marked and lifted for a shot â and vice versa. Balls “out” of the game are dead on balls “in” the game- and visa versa.

Option 4. Wired. If an opponent causes the striker ball to be blocked by a wicket or stake (wired) when the striker wishes to shoot at a ball it is alive on, the striker may move his/her ball a mallet head’s length or up to 9 inches in any direction from its wired position to enable a possible open shot on that ball. The striker is not obligated to shoot at a ball from this new position and may take any shot he/she wishes. This optional rule does not apply if the striker’s side placed the striker ball in its current position, only if the opponent placed it there. If moving the ball 9 inches in any direction does not present an open shot, the striker may move the striker's ball a greater distance (but no greater distance than needed) to create an open shot but must do so without shortening the distance between the ball they were wired from and the original position of the striker's ball. Additionally, they must shoot at the ball they are now open on. Option 5. Blocked at a Wicket by a Dead Ball.

If an opponent causes a ball to be blocked from scoring its wicket by a dead ball(s) for two consecutive turns, the blocked ball becomes alive on the blocking ball(s). The opponent must be responsible for the block, not the side claiming a block. A block must be confirmed by the blocking side in order to be counted as a block, in order to avoid disputes. In addition, the proposed wicket shot that is claimed to be blocked must be possible to make to count as a block. Option 6. Rover Play A rover may hit all balls once per turn; however, once the rover is dead on a ball(s), it must go through any wicket in any direction to clear its deadness on that ball(s). The rover does not get an additional (bonus) shot after going through this clearing wicket. If the rover goes through any wicket in any direction while dead on one or more balls (intentionally or not), the turn is over regardless of any additional shots remaining. Once a clearing wicket is made, the rover is alive on all balls in its next turn and may hit them in any order. Option 7.

Poison A poison ball is one that has scored all the wickets but hasn't hit the finishing stake. A poison ball may hit any opponent ball and have it removed from the game. Conversely, if an opponent ball hits a poison ball, the poison ball is removed from the game. If a poison ball fully passes through any wicket in any direction, it is removed from the game. A poison ball does not earn bonus shots for hitting other balls. Option 8. Over Time Play When a timed match has expired, each ball gets a last turn. If a ball has played its last stroke of the turn and is still rolling on the court when time expires, it will get another turn. If the losing side has played its last turns, the winning side may not play its last turn (aka last ball/last turn may not play). If the score is tied after the "last turn" round, the ball closest to its contested wicket gets an extra point for the win. Â A tournament director may choose to use multiple last turns rounds (ideally, no more than two rounds). Option 9. Ball in Hand From where the striker ball stopped after the roquet.

If the striker picks up the striker ball, way #4 is no longer available and the striker must proceed with ways #1, #2 or #3 for taking the first bonus shot. Option 10. Non-Sequence Order of Play On the opening turn the sequence is blue/red/black/yellow, after the opening turn a player may choose to play either of their balls on each turn. Various Sets of 9 Wicket Backyard Rules Used In North America Norwich OptionsÂ (recommended you play options 21- 25 as a set) Option 21. Non-Sequence Order of Play On the opening turn the sequence is blue/red/black/yellow, after the opening turn a player may choose to play either of their balls on each turn. Option 22. Deadness A player’s ball is alive on all other balls at the start of every turn.Â IIf a player hits a ball they are dead on, the turn is over and all balls are returned to the original positons. Option 23.

Out of Bounds Â A ball is out of bounds if it touches the boundary line.Â If a player hits their ball or another ball out of bounds, the turn is over and all balls come back in perpendicular 9 inches from the boundary line. Option 24. Lift When a player hits the turning stake, the opponent on their next turn may choose to pick up one of their balls and play it a mallet head (9 inches) from the turning stake or from the center wicket. Option 25. Timed Game All games are timed for 1 hour with sudden stop when the clock expires and there are no extra turns. If the score is tied in the "sudden stop" format, the ball closest to its contested wicket gets an extra point for the win. Claremont Options Option 31. Â Hand Roquet The Ball Known as sending, the Claremont rules now prohibit footing the ball, but allow placing ones hand on the ball in the same fashion. If in so doing, the striker loses control of his ball, he is penalized by losing the rest of his turn. Option 32.

Wicketed Ball When a ball, while proceeding in the direction of play, stops halfway through it object wicket, it is considered a wicketed ball. The wicketed ball may be the player’s ball or a ball that has been propelled to the wicketed position by another player. If it is the player’s ball, the player loses the rest of his turn, a Minor Penalty. If the wicketed position has resulted from the play of another player, there is no penalty; all balls remain in the same position achieved by the play and play continues. If, in the ensuing play, another player strokes his ball into the wicketed ball, he loses the rest of his turn and his next turn, a Major Penalty. This other player may, however, displace the wicketed ball without penalty, either forward or backward, by hitting another ball with his ball, hand-holding his ball against the ball which has been hit and driving it against the wicketed ball. He might achieve the same result with a split-shot. A situation calling for such a play would be rare, however.

On his next turn, the player of the wicketed ball has three options; (a) He may stroke his ball forward, thereby, making the wicket, but his turn stops there unless by his stroke he has make another wicket or hit another ball, in which case, he receives the usual additional stroke(s). (b) He may stroke his ball backward. From the position thus attained he could, on his following turn, proceed through his wicket and get the usual stroke for so doing; or he might, on his backward stroke, achieve a hit on another ball and get the usual two additional strokes. (c) Finally, he might consider it the best strategy to take a tap for a stroke. Option 33. Deadness. When a player’s ball hits a ball on which it is dead, the player loses the rest of his turn and all of his next turn. A player’s ball is cleared of its deadness on all balls at the beginning of a new turn or upon gaining a wicket. Option 34. Rover Ball A partner becomes a rover when he has completed the course, with the exception of hitting the home stake. He continues to take his turn and can now devote his efforts to helping his partner.

As no wickets are left for him to make, the deadness rule limits him to one hit a turn on the other three balls. . All the other balls are allowed to play off the rover and even send him through remaining wickets ( some players leave at least one wicket to make it harder for opponents to stake him out of the game) and into the stake removing him from the game. Â Option 35. Shot Time Limits Players should be reasonable in the amount of time taken to analyze a situation and take the next shot; one minute, 60 seconds, is considered the normal amount of time necessary. In tournament play, the referee will use his judgement and take whatever steps are necessary to keep the game moving along. Frequently Asked Questions Q: "At the start of the game, is it better to go first or last?" A: Generally, it's better to go last, because the more balls in front of you, the more options you have in playing your ball. So, unlike other games, it is not polite to insist that the other team/player goes first.

Q: "Is there any particular way that I must hold the mallet and hit the ball?" A: No, except that you cannot "push" the balls, i.e., you keep swinging so that your mallet is really pushing the ball forward. However, it is advisable to use a traditional swing, where you swing the mallet in a straight line between your legs, as opposed to from the side like golf. Q: "Do I have to go through the wickets in any particular order?" A: Yes, you must follow the double-diamond pattern and go through the wickets in order of their numbers, i.e., wicket 1, then 2, then 3, etc. (See Diagram) Q: "Can I really use my hand or foot to hold my ball while hitting it and knocking another ball away?" A: Yes, if you have hit that other ball and have scored bonus shots. You may place your ball right next to that other ball and do so. This is called either a "hand roquet" or a "foot roquet." If the striker ball comes loose from the foot or hand after hitting it there is no penalty and you can simply play the striker ball from where it comes to rest.

Q: "If I send a ball over the boundary, is there a penalty?" A: No (unless you use Option 2), sending a ball out of bounds does not end your turn. When a ball goes out of bounds, it is replaced a mallet length (or, on a small court, a mallet-head) in from the boundary, and if the striker has another shot, the turn continues. Q: "If my ball hits another ball and then goes through its next wicket, what happens next?" A: If your ball hits another ball, you immediately earn two extra shots (unless you have hit that ball in that turn since making your last wicket). In this situation, the wicket doesn't count, and you must take the extra shots earned. Q: "If my ball goes through a wicket and then hits another ball on the same shot, what happens next?" A: In this case, you have earned one extra shot for the wicket, but the roquet on the other ball is ignored. You may choose to hit that ball again on the continuation shot to earn two extra shots, but you aren't required to do so.

Q: "Don't I get 3 bonus shots if my ball hits another ball and goes through a wicket on the same shot?" A: No. Bonus shots are not accumulated. One shot either results in one more bonus shot or two, depending on the shot. One shot can never result in 3 bonus shots. Q: "What happens when, after receiving two bonus shots, my first bonus shot clears a wicket? Do I still have 2 bonus shots or just 1?" A: You have one shot left, in that you lose your second bonus shot from the prior roquet, but you still have one stroke left for scoring the wicket. Q: "If my ball is hit through a wicket by an opponent, do I get credit for scoring that wicket?" A: Yes. You get credit for that wicket and you can move on to the next wicket. When it is your turn to shoot next, you still have only one shot from where your ball ended up. Q: "When is a ball through a wicket?" A: See the diagram and discussion in the "Scoring Wicket and Stake Points" section above.

Q: "What happens if I miss my ball entirely on a shot?" A: It counts as a shot, and if you had only one shot when you missed, your turn ends. Q: "What happens when someone plays out of turn? Is there a penalty?" A: No, but once the out-of-turn play is discovered, you must replace the ball that last played out of turn and have the correct ball play. (See the out of turn rule in the main section for an example). Q: "Is there a rule that says you are 'dead' on a ball you've hit (not allowed to hit it) until you make your next wicket?" A: Yes, see Option 1. In the regular version of backyard croquet, however, there is no carryover of "deadness" from one turn to the next (unless using Option 1) and no penalty or reward for hitting a ball more than once between wickets. Once you hit a ball and earn the two extra shots for the roquet, you cannot earn any extra shots for hitting it again until you either a) make your next wicket or b) finish your turn.

Playing with carryover deadness is optional in nine-wicket croquet but is very much a part of the American six-wicket game played in clubs and tournaments. The tournament rules available from the USCA cover the details of this and other aspects of advanced play. Sport Croquet set - The Croquet Store Sport Croquet set $349.00 (excluding tax) (You save $30.00) SKU: Buy in bulk and save Product Description "Best Overall, classy & sturdy" was how the Wall Street Journal described our Sport Croquet set. How can you go wrong? This full size croquet set in your backyard will create its event. Made from the finest materials, we have designed this 4 (& 6) player set for those who take their croquet games seriously. It features a 36" tall solid ash Sport mallet with our unique "Taper-lock" fastening system that allows for easy removal of the head and shaft. The professional-style square head includes a sightline for those exacting shots. The 9 hoops are 5/16" steel, standing 18" tall, with a tough powder coating for long life.

The balls are full size polymer, double milled for ultimate accuracy. Also included are 2 solid ash goal stakes with clip extensions, ball marking clips to keep track of the scored hoops, an official USCA rulebook, and an instruction book covering 6 wicket USCA, 6 wicket Golf and 9 wicket croquet versions of this great game. The entire set is securely held within a durable nylon cordura carry bag. This set comes with a full 12 month warranty. NOTE: The 4 player version can be expanded to a 6 player set with the addition of 2 Sport mallets, 2 Sport balls and 2 ball marking clips. LASER ENGRAVING can make this set truly yours. For as little as $40, add your name, design your own graphics, club logo . . . anything you can imagine. Have one or all of the mallet heads personalize.

Mallets with 36" ash shafts and 9" ash heads with color keyed sightline optional mallet heights available on request Regulation size balls 3-5/8" diameter, double milled surface 9 powdercoated steel wickets 2 solid ash goal stakes Ball marking clips Mallet heights 32", 34", 36" & 38" on request Cushion grips (your choice of colors) Aluminum shafts United States Croquet Association — Rules Figure 1: Court Setup Nine wickets croquet is naturally a less formal game than the six wickets version of the sport. Many variations are played. The following USCA-approved version is designed to be simple and quick to play; variations are listed at the end. The Court and Equipment The standard court is 100' by 50'. This can be scaled down to fit the available space and lawn characteristics. It should be possible to hit a ball the length of the court, so on long grass it may be necessary to scale down the court. There are nine wickets , two stakes , and four (or six) balls. Each player needs a mallet, although these can be shared.

Croquet sets can be purchased cheaply at many department and toy stores, but most such sets are sized for children. Also, some are not very durable. Adult players will get more enjoyment from the game with the use of a better-made, adult-sized croquet set. Look for a set with sturdy wickets , mallets about three feet long, and heavy, solid plastic balls. An Outline of the Game Nine-Wicket Croquet is played between two sides — the blue and black balls versus the red and yellow balls. In singles each player plays two balls; in doubles each player plays the same ball throughout the game. The object is to maneuver the balls through the course of wickets and into the finishing stake , as shown in Figure 2, below. The side which first does so with both its balls wins the game. Figure 2: Course of Wickets Play is made by striking a ball with a mallet. The player who is playing a turn is called the striker, and the ball in play for that turn is the striker ball. Turns are played in the sequence blue, red, black, yellow, and so on throughout the game. This sequence of colors is usually painted on the stakes (incorrectly in some sets).

Each turn is initially one stroke, but extra strokes are earned when the striker ball hits another ball or scores a wicket point. By making good use of these extra strokes it is possible to score many points in one turn. The striker ball may cause other balls to move and score points. However, the striker must never strike any ball other than the striker ball. The mallet must contact the ball crisply — scooping, pushing, and hitting the ball more than once during the stroke are not allowed. Starting a Game The side that wins the coin toss chooses colors; blue plays first. Each ball is played into the game from a point halfway between the finishing stake and wicket #1. (If scaling down the court, maintain the 6' distance between each stake and its nearest wicket .) Scoring a Wicket A ball scores a wicket point by passing through a wicket in the correct direction and sequence (see Figure 2). Hitting other balls If the striker ball hits a live ball we say it has made a roquet , and the striker becomes entitled to take croquet from the roquet ed ball.

(All balls are live at the start of the turn.) This is done by picking up the striker ball, placing it in contact with the roquet ed ball, then striking the striker ball. The croquet ed ball is now dead , and remains so until the striker ball scores its next wicket or stake point or until the start of the next turn. If the striker ball hits a dead ball, it is not a roquet and no extra stroke is earned. However, if the striker is otherwise entitled to play an extra stroke, the turn continues. Boundaries You may mark a definite boundary with string or chalk, or simply mark the corners with flags or other suitable markers. Any ball that crosses the boundary is placed in three feet (or the length of a mallet), nearest the point where the ball crossed the boundary. Any ball less than three feet (or the length of a mallet) from the boundary is also placed in the full distance. Wicket and Hit The striker ball cannot both score a wicket and make a roquet on the same stroke. Whichever happens first takes precedence. Turning Stake A ball scores the turning stake by hitting it in the correct sequence.

Continuation Stroke The striker earns an extra stroke (called a continuation stroke ) for the striker ball by scoring a wicket , or the turning stake , or by taking croquet . The continuation stroke is played as the balls lie. In general, continuation strokes are not cumulative. For example, if the striker ball scores a wicket while taking croquet , only one continuation stroke is earned. If the striker ball makes a roquet while taking croquet , there is no continuation stroke and the striker immediately takes croquet from the ball that was just roquet ed. If the striker ball scores a wicket and the turning stake on the same stroke, only one continuation stroke is earned. The one exception is that two continuation strokes are earned if the striker ball scores two wickets on one stroke. And if the striker ball scores a wicket or stake or makes a roquet with the first of these two continuation strokes, the extra stroke is forfeited. Rover Balls and Scoring the Finishing Stake A ball that has scored all the points except the finishing stake is called a rover ball. Any rover ball that hits the finishing stake , whether or not it is the striker ball, has scored the stake and is removed from the game.

Play continues in the usual sequence, skipping over the missing ball. The game ends when both balls of a side have scored the finishing stake . A rover ball may roquet each other ball no more than once per turn. Stake and Hit The striker ball cannot both score the stake and make a roquet on the same stroke. Whichever happens first takes precedence. Variations The following variations can be used singly or in combination. Variation 1: Out-of-bounds penalty If any ball, other than the striker ball during a roquet stroke, goes out of bounds, the turn immediately ends. Variation 2: Carry-over deadness A ball that has roquet ed and taken croquet from another ball may not roquet that ball again until it scores its next point. If the striker ball does hit such a dead ball, no extra stroke is earned and the balls remain where they come to rest. It is highly recommended that deadness is tracked on paper or with a deadness board. Variation 3: Triples Played with six balls and two sides: the blue, black, and green balls against the red, yellow, and orange balls. The sequence of play is blue, red, black, yellow, green, and then orange.

Variation 4: Poison A rover ball is a poison ball. When a poison ball hits another ball, that other ball is removed from the game. If another ball roquet s a poison ball, the poison ball is removed from the game. If a poison ball passes through any wicket , it is removed from the game. The object of the game is to be the last player with a ball still in the game, so this is usually played as "cutthroat" (every man for himself). 9-Wicket Croquet: Buying a Croquet Set Buying a Croquet Set by Michael Rumbin · 07/15/2013 Remember what backyard croquet meant? If you are thinking about buying a croquet set this year, you are not alone. We estimate that about 250,000 sets are sold in the US each year. Most of these sets are inexpensive models with enough equipment to get six players in a game at one time. Sales have been holding at that level for years so it is not unreasonable that in any given year close to 4.3 million people are out there playing croquet. Well how many is that?

According to a 2006 Sports NEWS survey that’s about as many as play racquetball (4.9 M), about half the number that do palates training (10.4 M), and about one fourth that play soccer (15.8 M). So, let’s get started! First it is important to recognize that, SUPRIZE, not all croquet sets are alike. But before that, you have to think about how the set will be used and by whom. If it is for your children, this summer, great. If you want it to be around for the next 5 + years so they can have it available to them as they grow up, good too. If you want it to have for a party with friends (AKA) adults and teenagers, your way to entertain at a picnic/garden party, that again is wonderful. Each of these situations deals with the size of the croquet players, not the game they are playing or the cost of the set. So let’s first divide croquet sets into two groups: those for children and those for teenager/adults to use and enjoy.

The big difference here is the length of the mallet shaft, second is the weight of the mallet and ball. Miss Gulliver captured by the Lilliputians. Most of the sets geared towards young players have handles or shafts that are 24 to 29 inches in length. A 24 inch mallet will work just fine for a player that is 3 and a half to four and a half feet tall. Above that height, the player has to bend over pretty far to hit a ball. So the shaft measurement is most important. As for the weight of the mallets and balls, there are no real specifications on the product labeling, but most mallets will weigh less than two pounds and the balls around 8 ounces. These “light sets” work well for young players, especially on a backyard lawn that is an inch or two high, so balls can travel some distance. If this fits your needs, great. Only other thing is to keep in mind is the court size. The USCA Official 9 wicket court is 50 X 100 feet. Don’t even consider it.

Set a court up using the mallet shaft length between the stake and wickets #1 and #2, keeping the overall court size down to 25 X 50 feet at the most. A set like this will have as many seasons of use as there are young people to use them. Once the boys get to five feet tall, forget it. They’ll “tee off” like a golf pro and deliver a broken mallet for sure. Sets for teenagers / adults come with a standard 36 inch mallet shaft length. Some sets have 34 or 32 inch shafts. Anything below 32 inches again will be uncomfortable for an adult to use. Older people especially have difficulty bending over to reach the ball for a solid contact through the swing. These adult set mallets are made of hard woods like maple, oak and hickory and weigh about two and a half pounds each. The balls are usually 3 5/16 inches, a bit smaller than a regulation ball and about 12 ounces or ¾ the weight. All in all, they are “balanced” in size and weigh to work together and play well on a ¾ or full size court if the grass is cut low.

The next consideration is whether to buy a six ball set or a four ball set. Most sets for backyard croquet have six balls and mallets and nine wickets. This is has been the traditional “American 9 Wicket Croquet” set for more than 100 years… in the US. In the rest of the world, or former British Empire, croquet is played with four balls and six wickets. That’s how the “World Series” of Croquet is played. Usually the four ball sets have sturdier wickets made out of something like ¼ inch rod rather than smaller diameter wire. Some come with nine wickets and two stakes, others six and one stake. Some come with the regulation 3 5/8 inch diameter balls that weigh a full pound. The difference is the version of croquet to be played not quality or cost. A couple of Johnnies size up the competition. Another option is to go a la carte , or buy the individual components yourself. The Croquet Store has a great selection of sets and accessories that can provide you with all the things you need. If you purchase all at once, you will probably pay more than a complete set, but you will get what you want.

Another version of this story is that you have an old set, or just bought something on eBay. You might add a mallet or two to upgrade your game. Additional mallets can be purchased later. Same goes for the balls and wickets. At some point you will have to retire the old set, but it will have enough memories in it to qualify for a home decoration. Clean it up and present it to you wife along with a new pair of expensive earrings and you’ll be a hero. Or just put it on eBay. Finally there are miscellaneous add-on’s that can make the set a little bit better like boundary string and corner pegs. Construction nylon string comes in 500 foot spools, white yellow and fluorescent pink. Corner pegs can be made out of a dowel or narrow board. An added touch is to paint the pegs blue, red, black and yellow. Even better is to add flags of the same colors. That’s the real bang for the buck. Everyone will be drawn to the croquet court with colored corner flags. Four 12 by 18 inch flags tacked on 18 inch stakes really makes the game look “official”.

Brightly colored wicket clips, one for each colored ball are helpful to remind you where you are going and where the other players are on the court. They are available from Oakley but you can always get clothes pins and paint them yourself. If you really get serious, you probably want to play with the Carryover Deadness Challenging Optional Rule. That will require a Deadness board sooner or later. They are expensive, and hard to make, but we have used a dry erase board and colored markers on several occasions with great results! Michael Rumbin is the USCA 9 Wicket Committee Chairman. © 2008–2016 United States Croquet Association. All rights reserved. Croquet Sets dogdaze@thedayofgames.com to start/ join a Leisure Sports League near you Ready to play? JOIN TODAY! Want to organize? NOW HIRING Croquet Sets Croquet Leagues If you would like to join a local Croquet League you have come to the right place. The Day of Games offers a Leisure Sports League that features Croquet as one of its primary events. Rather than playing croquet over and over again, you can play Croquet as well as many other fun tailgating games.

Leagues are currently springing up in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Franciso, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and New York. Come play Cornhole, Bocce, Horseshoes, Beersbee, Disc Golf, Ladder Toss, and many more games. Meet Mingle & Compete. Croquet is the latest craze among 20 and 30 somethings who have lost interest with their dodgeball teams and kickball leagues. Croquet is the perfect sport to get out of your house, mingle with other young professionals, meet new people, enjoy a few beers, and have a great time. Day of Games croquet is so simple that everyone can play. Smack croquet ball with mallet. It is really that easy. Leisure Sports Leagues Sign up today by clicking the "Register" link up above. Los Angeles Croquet Manhattan Croquet Affordable Croquet Sets End your searching. You can find high quality Cropquet sets here at The Day of Games. Just check out the "Products" link above. Croquet is the perfect game to take to the park. These are not only cheap croquet sets, but they are also high quality.

Croquet Rules There are a couple ways you can play... Easy or Hard. Concept: Use mallet to smack croquet ball under the wickets and into a post. Teams: As many as you like. Materials: Croquet balls, mallets, wickets, stakes. Court: Set up the wickets like the picture here. Standard setup includes 9 wickets and 2 stakes. Easy: Simply count the number of strokes to get under all the wickets, into the far stake, then back under the wickets, and into the other stake. Lowest number wins. Hard: Actual Croquet Rules: These are a little too complicated to explain here so you can find them on the blog . Win: First team to get their ball to the stake and back. Why Play Croquet? Mallets, Wickets, and Croquet... fun words. It is a better workout than sitting in the park. Mallet on croquet ball contact is awesome. The cool kids are playing. Everyone likes to pretend to be in Alice in Wonderland. Roqueting is a thrill. You can wear funny clothes. Winning is fun. Croquet generally involves an upcoming beer. What else are you going to do this week??

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Question: What sport uses a mallet and wickets?
Answer: Croquet